silent bob
breaking students into small groups allows the silent students to peak their peace and allow them to be involved into discussion.
I agree with Howard. Sometimes silent Bob just needs to know that someone cares about him and whatever he contributes to the class is important.
Hi Andrew,
This is total disrepect. I remove the student from the class due to violating the conduct code. Just think, what will happen if his/her supervisor tried to converse and there is no talk on his/her behalf...
Patricia
What do you do with a student who absolutely refuses to speak to the instructor, even when in a one-on-one setting and spoken to directly? I mean, completely non-verbal, no response whatsoever? The student does speak, I have heard him. Just not to me....
Hi Derek,
You are right! You must put at least one extrovert in the group so that someone can lead and get the ball rolling.
Patricia
Hi Michelle,
I concur. I can think of a few shy students that are very confident. They tend to want to stay in the back ground and do not care about the limelight.
Patricia
try not to put too many silent Bobs in one group. They will sit and stare.
I agree with this. I believe, not all silent students are insecure or shy to speak in front of a group. People with intrapersonal intelligence may not feel the need to be the center of attention. They tend to be less impulsive and think before speaking. When the same students continually answer questions for discussion, I make it a practice to continue to seek more answers to the same question while moving my eyes from person to person.
Hi Eural,
Great points! I definitely understand how one-on-one can help the silent bob. They really shine in this situation.
Patricia
I have been afforded an ever-increasing opportunity to work with silent students. Small groups, group leaders, ect., are all excellent concepts. But what has been the greatest blessing for me, personally, is the benefits derived from the smallest group(one on one).
I'm discovering that the silent student is often intellegent, intuitive, and analytic. Capable of being productive, and fruitful, if they are nutured properly and allowed to blossum.
CAUTION; We (iNSTRUCTORS)MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO PICK FRUIT TOO SOON.
This is very true. I had a student that did not want to talk, however, I would get her to particapate in class by having her provide a scenerio or example. One day I walked into the faculty room and heard a person speaking loud, laughing and carrying on. I looked to see who it was and it turned out to be that student. I was shocked of how vocal she really is and how relaxed she seemed.
Hi Russell,
I like the confidence you attempt to instill in a silent bob. Some silent bobs are bright, they are just holding on to the information. I like making a silent bob a leader every opportunity I get.
Patricia
when i come across a silent bob ,i inject them into the class by helping to build there confidence with questions , i know they would be able to answer also by showing them and the rest of the students that there is nothing wrong with taking a stab at a question. if it happens to be wrong as a class we will work through it.
The instructor moving from group to group to listen in and assist as needed is a fantastic concept. Many times the Silent Bobs are turned off by the grandstanders in a class just because of their introverted nature. But usually they are very intuitive and have a wealth of knowledge to share, if the appropriate platform is provided.
Hi Woody,
These students should be given the same opportunities as extrovert students. Silent bobs can be very creative. They just need to be pulled in the direction you want them to go in.
Patricia
I agree silent bobs can have good information to share and sometimes small groups provide the productive environment.
I agree, with some of the previous responses, making the "silent Bob" the group leader often breaks the silence and gives these students a voice.
Hi Howard,
Get the silent bobs involved. Let them be leaders of small groups. Make small talk with them. Give them compliments. Try everything possible to bond with the silent bob.
Patricia
This is so true! One key aspect is that each person in the group needs to be accountable for something. If not, Silent Bob will say nothing and not be the "spokesperson" for the group.
These students tend to be shy, but you will be surprised that they have such great insights and ideas. If the class is small enough, the instructor may go from group to group and listen and help those silent students.
