Wait time
Yes, wait time is very important and after taking this course I have realized that I don't allow ample time to student to think and respond to a question. It really helps students when they are allowed little to receive and respond.
I really feel by increasing the 1st wait time by a factor of 3 will truly help me in the classroom. It is such a simple technique in which I can see could immediately improve class participation.. Sometimes I feel there is a rush of the "good" student to answer questions that sometimes leaves the struggling student more anxiety.
This is challenging. That awkward silence make you, as an instructor, want to answer. As I look back at my professional school, it was expected in some classes that we would be called in. If you were unprepared you could be assured you would be called on again the next class meeting. This course reminded me of that technique which I rarely use myself.
Joan,
This is wise, students need additional time and you will find you have more students engaging when you use wait time.
Judy Mohammed
I do the same. I ask a question while walking around the class. I do however, need to give more time for students to think about the question before I call on them. I will definitely keep timing in my mind when questioning.
Kenneth,
This is good. Sometimes you also need to give the students some wait time after they have been called since they may have been sitting and hoping that they were not called.
Judy Mohammed
Louise,
Questioning is a great way to check ourselves and our deliveries. It points out what may need to be reviewed.
Judy Mohammed
Dawn,
This is good that you can empathize with your students. We sometimes forget how it was on the other side of the classroom.
Judy Mohammed
Jerry,
It is great when we realize this. It took some time for me to become comfortable with using wait time but it really does help some shy students to start participating.
Judy Mohammed
William,
I sometimes try to talk to these students outside of class like before or after class. I talk about their interests and then try to work in conversations about their interests into the classroom.
Judy Mohammed
I understand the need for wait time now that I have been instructing for awhile. I like to ask a question then walk around a bit and let the question sink in. Then I will call on the student and see if it helps them get their thoughts together before answering. it seems to work well for my students.
I know sometimes it is hard to wait for an answer or even wait after an answer has been provided by a student, but I have found that the "uncomfortably long 3 second silence" has actually prompted other students to say something. If I ask a closed end question and no one responds after a few seconds, I have said, "maybe I should review this information again". This sometimes prompts students to participate - or confirms that I need to review a topic.
I believe in my on-ground classes, I provide able wait time for the students to respond. I am not sure if I give it, because I know I need it frequently for myself.
I have tried throughout my entire professional career to process any questions before I blurt out an answer. So, I try to provide my students the same courtesy.
I agree, I've noticed that by giving the students a bit more wait time brings more students into the conversation. By allowing more students to processes the question in their way, helps put more students on the same field when responding.
I feel that I give ample wait time, however, for some students that might not quite understand or who are afraid to answer, I feel as though too much wait time just makes them more anxious. I will call upon others through the process, then try to go back to the original student with the hope that their peers helped them a little.
Marie,
Perhaps if we think out the process for responding and review in our own minds the possible responses, we might give time for students to respond. We might also think of how we can guide the student by probing or rephrasing the question.
Judy Mohammed
Is there any tricks for instructors to use that would help us restrain ourselves in the moment when waiting for the student to answer?
Zafar,
This is so true. They also know that they need to keep up with the information since they will most probably be called upon and be given time to respond.
Judy Mohammed
Jason,
I had the same experience as you did. I did not handle the awkward silence well. Now I know that it is OK to have that silence and give students some time to put their thoughts together.
Judy Mohammed
Jamie,
Good for you! I also struggled with wait time when I first became aware of it. I have learned to use it much better since then.
Judy Mohammed
