Student Participation
I realize that students do not participate in questions for fear of ridicule from their peers, but how can we approach this dilemma to involve more of the less confident students without shutting off the ones that excel?
If time allows, learning about your students on the first day of class can really help with learing styles and involving them in class discussions later.
The more I share about my relative experience to the class topic, the more response I get from the quiet students.
I always tell my students a foolish question is a question not asked to try to get them over the fear of participating
Hi Al - welcome to Ed 103! You obviously run a dynamic classroom which encourages student interaction. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
I agree, its a good technique I have found to move around the room, make the students want to pay attention & be involved by not allowing them to sit/stand completely dormant. By moving around it forces them to keep track of where I am. I teach culinary arts & have a production class so most of the time I find just moving my demo spots helps keep them focused. I like to involve many of the students & will often wait to see who will pipe up before offering feedback on what has been commented.
Hi Ronnie - great idea- you change YOUR position! How has it worked for you in terms of getting the "back of the room folks" participating? Thanks- Susan
stand in the back of the room and direct the qwestions directly to those students just add a (what do you think about it) and most will respond, Move around and involve everyone.
Hi Merdith - Welcome to ED 103! The lack of participation by the "Back-of-the-Roomers" is unrelated to where they sit. They will be just as un-engaged in the front and those who like the front will NOT be happy. Location is not the answer, it's finding what will interest them and make them want to be a part of the discussions.
Hi Alyson - you are a very caring teacher - wish more were as well!
Hi Alyson-I find it helps to get to know them and find out what really interests them. Then try to work those interests into the class so that you can call on them to answer questions related to those interests or personal experiences. Almost everyone loves to talk about what interests them!
Really good questions..! Over the course of teaching for 8 years- i have doen nad tried it all! It depends on the group iteslf. Sometimes I just make everyone mix up. Sometimes I do this every day!
I also make sure I check in every day with every student and assess their mood attitiude towards their day and their world. I like to make sure I get any "issues" that might affect them and their learning at the earliet possible convenience.
What special tips do you have to motivate those back seaters?
Do you think it is a good idea to make the "Back of the Roomers" switch and sit in the front row? And it is fair to make the front roomers move?
Hi Alyson- those "Back of the Roomers" can be quite a challenge but coming up with ways of getting them involved has such a great payoff!
Its important to help to boost the confidence of those sitting in the back and not very participitory. Redirecting questions helps alot with this.If the students know that the way you receive their answer does not ridicule them and they have validity they'll be more ready next time to risk participating.
Even praise can be ridiculed in todays society. A student that you find ridiculing would be the student I direct the next qwestion to. that usually ends the ridiculing.
Hi Robert - A very good question that we all wrestle with. I always look for the opportunities to participate that I know will work for those less confident ones. For example, to discuss a mechanical function you might call on a shy student that you know has a lot of experience with engines and ask what he/she thinks. Basically it's finding areas that they can do well in and offering great praise when they do.
