I may personalize the question to make the student feel that (s)he has ownership of the answer/solution. For example, I may start the question with the words: "Chris, how would you...", emphasizing the word "you". If the question can be reworded to fit an interest I know that the student has, I would reword accordingly.
Break into groups and provide a project for the students to create an outcome. Allow the non-responsive student a smaller group to get used to.
find out what intrest the student
Hi Daniel - Thanks for your post to the forum. What fun! Instaed of you shooting questions at your students, they are shooting them at you! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
In my course after a lecture I have the students write down a question on a sheet of paper then wad it up. I hold a waste paper basket up at the front of the room and they "shoot hoops" into the basket. Afterwards I start around the room and have each person draw a question out of the basket to answer. I read it first to verify the questions are on point. This seems to get even the most shy into the process. The questions seem to be very close to the ones on the exams.
This can be a problem when yo have a handfull of students that always want to answer. I can make the mistake of assuming all the students know the material when in reality it is just the few.
Susan
I believe that there is something that can appeal to each student and with that I try to engage them by finding out what they are interested in and their hobbies. I use this information to get the students into the discussion and this makes it more realistic for them.
Janice
Hi Charles- thanks for your post to the forum. I'm glad that you are finding this course useful. Teaching in the online environment certainly has its own set of challenges! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
It is important to keep all teaching styles available once entering the online environment for the questions and conversations can vary. These lesson studies have helped to enhance my understand from the student's view of the learning process.
Hi Charles- Thanks for your post to the forum. I find that getting that more personal connection with online students is sometimes difficult, but as you mention, using email effectively can make it happen. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I seem to encounter this every now and then, but have found gathering information about each student has help to make questions more personal. The activities are redirected in a way that draws the student's attention and focus to demonstrate her or his exploration of the subject. Since it is an online class there is much email communications to make it effective.
I try to make it a game. I teach math and I'll say let's vote on the correct answer. If they see other students have their answer, even if it's wrong, they are more likely to participate.
I like to use simple, broad questions for students that might be a little more on the shy side. Another thing I use questions that little students use their personal experiences to answer.
Hi Susan - Thanks for your post to the forum. You are running a terrific active learning classroom - great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Some of the strategies that I found to be helpful are: small groups, teach the teacher, and calling on students. While some students hate to be called on, it is an important part of the learning process.
I involve all students by asking a few people to answer the same questions and then take a vote pf the rest of the class as to whether or not they agree. If someone doesn't agree, it can start an interactive debate which usually ends up with students instructing each other on their points of view.
Agreed. It's always effective to find a route to asking them about what they already know.
I do call on everyone by name. And if they can't come up w/ a response I work my way away and back to them, knowing they typically become more focused and listen to the ways other students respond.
HI Preston - Thanks for a good suggestion! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Call on the individual student by names, asking a question you know they will be successful in answering. Builds their confidence.
