A jeopardy style format make the questions more fun and not as a threat to students who need more time to think about a question
I like using activities that involve teams, this helps build confidence in each student individually without putting them on the spotlight.
I occassionally give extra credit points for answering questions. Participation points are included as part of their final grade as well.
Hi Earle - thanks for your post - you give some good ideas to encourage particpation by the more shy students. Susan
I will try with 'small' questions asking if they agree or disagree with a position allowing them to give a "yes" or "no" so they can see that nothing bad will happen then try to bring them out later in the course.
while teaching a hands on demo, I usually ask a student to walk me thrrough the steps. we are crowded around a stove or work bench, the setting is more informal. most students even shy, will be ready to answer so show their skill or that they did the homework
I try to find out what they are good at first. Then I pose a question between them and myself to build their confidence. Once I think they are comfortable with me I ask them a question they already know in front of the class. This gives them the oppertunity to share in fron t of others. Sometimes they need time to conect with the other students.
