A technique I use is to use the word "guess" when addressing the class. I will first ask the question and if I do not get any responses i may rephrase the question and say, "Does anyone want to take a guess at the answer?" I feel that this opens up a safe space for the student to try to answer even if they think they may be wrong. Saying this usually gets one or two students to try to answer the question and they don't feel bad if they are wrong since the class knew they were just guessing.
On ocassion I will put a series of questions on post it pads and put them up around the classroom. Sometimes I will also post the appropriate answers on seperate sheets and have the students scavenge for the correct answer. Other times I will have them choose a question from the wall, research the answer and then we will report our findings to the rest of the class. I participate as well.
After I do a lecture or demo, I randomly call on students to see if he or she understands what I covered. If they don't respond or give a wrong answer, I have other students participate in providing the correct answer. I find that having students working together and answering questions as a group gives them better confidence and involves them in a more positive way in the class.
Hi Gary - Even the shyest students find it hard to resist an animated discusion - excellent, Gary!
In addition to the ones mentioned in the discussion, I find it interesting to involve student by being the "Devil's advocate" with certain relevant issues.
In issues like paying overtime or hiring more personnel for example, I can begin the discussion on one side of the question, then switch to an alternate point of view as student respond with reasons to support one side or the other. Generally I will end up with several students who are passionate about their particular point of view on both sides of the issue and participation seldom leaves anyone out!
Hi Andy - I agree - making that personal connection with your student makes them feel much more at ease.
Over the years I have tried various techniques, however,they all worked in different ways with different students.
After getting to know the students and have had them in previuos classes, I was able to get their participation alot easier than a brand new student that hasn't taken my classes before. May student are shy and may feel intimidated until they get to know how the instructor works.
I feel that by taking a personal interest and not picking on any student, will normally get them more involved in the class topic, and enjoy the experience as well.
It is important to ask question all the time for repeative learning. If you truley are trying to teach someone, I don't know how you can without asking questions?
Hi Sherie! Yes, relating the question to their personal experiences is indeed a great ice-breaker - almost everyone likes to talk a bit about themselves and it starts to form the class into a community. We can also find opportunites to draw on personal experiences in lessons throughout the course.
I teach in the social sciences. Having some questions relate to their personal lives is a good ice breaker.
I share of alot personel experiences in the kitchen and go around the room and ask them to comment about theirs
Hi Tremayne- welcome to ED 103! Asking your students to share personal experiences that relate to what they are learning inevitably leads to interaction in your classroom - well done!
Encourage students always ask any questions they want, so that make them understand there is no "stupid" question; when student always ask some question that we have already talked that it means he/she didn't really pay attention in the class, i will redirect the question to other students and ask them to answer the question.
I try to ask questions that will allow the students to relate the subject matter, to popular culture. For instance, if we are talking about societal stereotypes, I ask the class if they have seen any examples in the media. It is clear that the students have an interest for television, movies and music so, I make sure that these elements are discussed in class.
Wait Time. This gives some students revelation time. To gather their information and learn from reason.
Hi Francisco- Welcome to ED 103! You really have the pulse of your class when you can get them involved in discussion through well designed questions - Bravo!
I have used questions where it is more of a group
discussion.I start with my questions and then re-
direct the focus onto my students, this in turn
makes everybody a participant and they all feel
that they are making a significant contribution
to our subject matter.
Hi Mary - welcome to ED 103! As I'm sure you've seen, students usually find that working in groups is much less stressful.
I have divided the class into groups. Each group has a different question. I give them ten minutes to discuss their anwer. Them we discuss as a class why their answers is correct or in correct.
keeping questions simple and interesting to get them to answer.
