Silence
I know sometimes as an instructor I can get really uncomfortable with silence. After a few minutes I want to provide the students with the answer, however, I have to remind myself that I need to give students time to think about the answers. If I am always providing the answers, how will I know if they really know the material. Does anyone else have trouble with this?
This has always been a tough one for me. Specifically bulldozing over the students answer to my questions. I really appreciated the point about giving an appropriate amount of silence after they answer.
Manuel,
yes, they may be waiting to answer & also some students just need a little more time to process or formulate their response so those extra couple of seconds can actually make the class more inclusive for them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I used to be uncomfortable when my class would stay silent during questioning. I believe that the silence from their perception is far more uncomfortable and as soon as I want to give the answer I hold out just a few more seconds and someone answerers… every time.
Peggy,
yes, I'm not a big fan of stating an exact time as what works for you & your classes may not work as well for others.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Peggy,
yes, I'm not a big fan of stating an exact time as what works for you & your classes may not work as well for others.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I have found silence is often golden in the classroom, but I think a few "minutes" is too long. If I don't have a response within 60 - 90 seconds, I gently guide the lecture/conversation in the right direction. Sometimes it only takes one student to start the discussion before almost everyone else joins in as well.
Peggy
Clifton,
it really is amazing the power that silence has, especially in the classroom.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Likewise I will sometimes rely upon silence to evoke an atmosphere of tension which makes the class on the whole curious as to "what's going to happen now" At that point,oftentimes even the'sleepers'come alive... Now I really have their attention.
Doc
I use to think that silence was terrible. Then I realized that students were asking me to repeat if I gave them a list of 2 or 3 things. I was not giving them time. Therefore I now allow silence in between so they have time to write and think about what was said. You are so right
Bill,
we are definitely too afraid of silence in our culture; we feel we must speak. I like to use silence as well to help the concepts sink in.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Silence in my classroom used to bother me: I thought it indicated a mindless lull. But now I actively inject moments of dead quiet, sometimes for dramatic effect, other times to let something sink in or allow a particular student to gather their thoughts. Have you tried a short, daily quiz to check in on progress?
