Letting them know how important what they are saying is... By giving the time and respect to complete their thoughts. My students come from so many varied backgrounds and really do have much to share. By acting as a role model and showing my students how much I value their opinions and statements, it creates a more open and accepting environment within the classroom.
Hello Dr. Meers,
First, I would get students' feedback. Students' feedback will provide their opinion with valuable information on class, syllabus, lecture, format, and other course related concerns or issues. Anwar
Unless there is an "absolute" answer in what is being discussed, all opinions are acceptable. To be open-minded, and try and see things from many different perspectives make us better teachers, and even better people. Many times we stop short of seeing where an opinion is coming from, and short of how valuable it is. Allow the student to express their opinions and why they have them (without getting too far off the topic), and be able to have a counter-view. Many times even the student is narrow-minded and don't realize not everyone sees things in the same manner. Again, we could all benefit from looking outside the box at times. And, there is seldom only one answer to a problem.
Provide mini-stories, anecdotes, or scenarios on the positives of diversity in thinking and viewing life. Is life to be viewed in full color as in the beauty of the rainbow or the concrete colors of black and white? Which is more appealing? Inviting? Adventurous? Realistic?
Discuss critical thinking concepts and the importance of seeing multiple solutions rather than one solution. Appeal to the student's desire to be different from the generation before them in dress, hairstyle, music, technology.
Lead class discussion into the positive aspect of having all of the varied opinions so that the class can learn from one another and see the posed question/situation from a variety of viewpoints. This is true learning. To understand another's point of view only enhances our own way of thinking.
(1) be open to receiving them. At times, permit interuptions and provide opportunities in the class for students to voice their opinions
(2) listen to their opinions and validate them through paralanguage - eye-contact, head nods, verbal inflections,etc.
(3) ask direct questions to elicit opinions. Make gathering student opinions part of the class structure and activity
(4) provide respectful feedback. You may disagree with student opinions but still be respectful.
(5) encourage more "quiet" students to voice their opinions by asking them direct questions, physically moving closer to them when eliciting opinions, and providing rewarding feedback when they do voice their opinions
(6) be encouraging, warm, available and supportive to your students overall
(7) develop rapport with your students. Be genuine and authentic and interested in their concerns
(8) provide interesting topics in order to elicit student opinions
(9) do not be threatened with student opinions, especially if they challenge you in a respectful manner
(10) most important of all, listen and let your students know how much you value them voicing their opinions!!
Be respectful of a student's opinion, even if it disagrees with your own. Indicate you are pleased that a student is participating and trying to answer questions. Support and encourage students that might be quieter in a lecture situation so their voice is heard.
