From a personal standpoint, I think back to when I was a student in my MBA program. I would speak up when I knew what I was talking about and (importantly) when I felt comfortable with the professor. There were professors that I knew would be kind and encouraging and there were professors that did not have that demeanor. I keep this memory close at hand when I am teaching. I want students to be comfortable speaking with me and to the group. Another important part of this is clear expectations regarding classroom conduct. All students need to know that my classroom is a safe learning environment. There will be no put-downs or rude behaviors. I feel that a positive comfort level really helps student speak up! Lacey Finley
Hi Linsey,
Great list! I especially make a point to do pointer #3. Rapport building is important with all students especially the introverted students.
Patricia
There are several different things you can do to help involve quiet students in class and find out if they understand the material:
1. Practical hands on exercises so that you can see how they apply the classroom theory to an actual real life scenario. It will help me determine if they are getting it.
2. Put them into a small group with a few other students and ask each group in the class questions about the material. Observe how the quiet person contributes to the group's responses.
3. Have one on one discussions with the person, not just about classroom information but also questions about them personally.
Hi Aaron,
I too call on all students directly! This is one reason it is so important for me to learn student names because almost on a daily basis I call upon students.
Patricia
`I believe you can get silent students involved by showing a special interest in them and making sure they get into small groups where their silence might be ended. Gary Jones
Hi Tara,
Silent students tend to do very well in a smaller setting. I make it a point to try to establish a rapport with these students so that they are comfortable with me to encourage class participation.
Patricia
Create smaller groups for them to interact with and present information to the entire class. Ask them questions that are relevant to their knowledge/background.
I encourage the student to become involved, but a person is who they are. As long as I know that the student is getting what they need from the class and my instruction, I usually try not to give them additional attention in front of the class when they are not comfortable with that.
I normally engage silent students by asking them a direct question. Especially when the work shows they know what they are doing. I also have exercises where I go around the classroom in order to complete an exercise, and include everyone.
Hi Sandra,
This is a great way to get all students involved. Students have an option, and I will suppose most silent students will opt for the one-on-one.
Patricia
I use a fun-simple activity. CD ROM medical terminology game. Students answer questions as a group, or you can use the,"one on one style". The game is fun, no stress. Quiet or shy students are not self conscious and participate readily.
The online learning environment I teach in brings new meaning to the term "silent student". For me, these are students who are in the Live class sessions and never respond to the questions I ask to involve the class. I use ice-breakers to get everyone to respond. I comment on each of the comments every student makes to the ice-breaker question to let them know that I "see" them and I "hear" them. I encourage my students to communicate with me from day one of my classes. I let them know that no question is a "dumb" question and that if they are uncomfortable commenting in the Live class, they can email me at any time. I try to open a line of communication right away and I follow through with prompt responses to their emails.
I have a student in class now and he almost never speaks. But I watch him carefully and he still participates in smaller groups, etc., he'll laugh at jokes and he is always paying attention. I have called on him in the past and he will answer. He just likes to sit back and observe. As long as he is participating in some way, I'm ok if he doesn't want to speak up regularly.
I agree with the module. I was a silent student back in elementary school and small groups helped me to voice my ideas. I would never volunteer to be the speaker of the group but at least my ideas were heard and I could finally participate in class. I think working in small groups is an excellent idea and it gets the silent student to get to know other students at the same time.
Some ways I have involved silent students in my classes include: having the student become part of smaller groups; getting to know the student better so that they feel more comfortable in class; trying different ways to include the silent student as part of class discussions; and using simulated team exercises where everyone plays a part.
I teach English at a career college. One of the best ways I have found to involve silent students is to utilize peer editing questionnaires. This enable the "silent" student to participate with one other student one on one. It also forces them to verbalize their opinions and/or suggestions.
Hi Barbara,
You are a great motivator for those who do not like public speaking. They can look at what you have done to gain the confidence that they need to present.
Patricia
Assigning group projects or presentations, or group disccusions in class are always great ways to involve an otherwise silent student. If everyone else is participating, it seems to lessen their fears.
The silent students are a challenge but in my classes you will be called upon at any given moment and preparation is key. I like to talk to those students individually and try to key in on the catalyst of the silence. Just why are they so quiet?? I try to make the topic of discussion fun where we can learn get some laughs and hopefully open those 'silent' students up a bit.
One of my current students tends to be shy and hesitant to volunteer response.
This person is very intelligent and has excellent ideas. I would begin by just asking her opinion--there were times when she wouldn't respond.
I stress the marketability of a person when they are engaging, outspoken and not afraid to speak in front of others.
One of the real-life experiences is I tell them how, if I ever wanted to graduate college, I had to take my Speech class and complete it. I actually withdrew from a college Child Psychology class because I had an assignment where I had to "present".
Students found this unbelievable.
The reality of the situation let them be aware that I was once in their shoes; but that I have much I want to contribute in life!
