Class Participation
What about those students who will not participate in classroom activities? As an example, during one session demonstrating the various button strokes needed to solve problems on the school calculators, one student would not touch his calculator. During a practice quiz, immediately afterward, The student still would not use his calculator to solve the conversion problems and missed all of the example problems. After the quiz we reviewed any problems students had trouble with and still no participation from this individual. What more can I do?
Marc,
I like the balance you are finding in your class by having everyone be a part of the discussions and questioning sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I require 100% participation from each student when discussing a certain issue. The older students at times will engage the younger ones and get them involved in the discussion process without any prompting from me.
Donnalyn,
Good way to survey the class and do progress reports on your instruction. This will let you make any needed adjustments in your planning for the upcoming classes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have each student write a summary at the end of each class. These summaries do not have their names on them. I read them out loud so that I can see each students perception on the subject. without calling them out
Debbie,
In situations like this I put the students into learning groups. I have them count off so there is a good mix of vocal and non-vocal students. They are assigned a research project and then each member of the group has 3 minutes to present their findings. I have the group (2-3 students) come to the front of the class and sit behind a table as a panel of presenters. Each person present their topic while seated and then at the end responds to questions. By having them seated with others behind a desk the fear factor is greatly reduced. They are much more comfortable in this setting. During the questioning session I make sure to ask each person at least one question if the other students don't ask them a question. This really helps build the confidence of the shy students and I find that they start to open up and before long are answering questions in front of the entire class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Rekha,
Great to hear about her progress. It sometimes takes a while for them to open up and feel a part of the class and comfortable in sharing. Good for you in that you didn't give up on her.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also encourange CP, however, I usually get the same 4-5 students (out of 20) who are the 99% involved. These students are experienced and very confident in their knowledge while the others seem to feel intimidated. Part of me wants to call on the intimidated ones, but I don't want to put them on the spot and embarrass them.
I ve had a student who would refuse to talk in front of the class, or do any group activity. We had to make her talk with the campus counselors, to convey the seriousness of her behavior. On my part, I constantly asked her questions in class, or requested her participation for a group activity. I told her that she was an important person, and I needed to hear from her. She s improved a lot now.
During this particular session, could you make it more interactive? Say, have students team up with another person and have them demontrate a couple of keys or solve a certain problem? I have found that some students opened up more if they were "mentoring" other students on an application. I'm not sure how your class works, but giving scenarios to the students and letting them figure it out and then bring it back to the whole class might help each one feel that they really do have some valuable imput and the material becomes more real to them. You still may have someone that refuses to participate, but at least you know you tried to bring them into the class.
Tonda,
Good advice and a good teaching model to follow.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am an active type instructor, I enjoy it when there is energy in my class, it kinda gives me a boost. Class Participation is 10% of the overall grade for all of the classes I teach. I explain to students on the first day of class the importance of CP and how it can influence their chances of passing and their chances of learning. Once I cover the grade weight for CP, I tend to have an good amount of engagement from my classes..Tom, you should try this approach.
Tom,
Talk with the student individually to see what the problem is and how you can help the student. If he chooses not to participate then I would suggest you talk with him about going into another course where he will be willing to participate. To have him in the class is unfair to you and the other students as he is not going to be a part of the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
