Hi Natasha,
I concur! Rapport building is very important in education. Students will definitely open up, if they feel comfortable with you.
Patricia
By giving participation points as part of the overall grading process. Additionally, calling on the student for input in class.
I take into consideration that it takes a moment to become used to a new group of people. I also consider that some of my students are a bit more shy than others. I faced the challenge of getting my last class to speak up even when placed in small groups. I found that games and discussion of movies helped them to come out of their shell.
I truly believe that if the student feels comfortable with the instructor that it will be easier for a student to express himself in a class. It is also important that the instructor calls upon the student when they know that student is capable of answering the question or participating in the discussion with confidence.
You are right you can not change people they are going to have to learn on their own to interact with people
I teach a hands-on pastry/showpieces class. Most of the projects that my students work on are of their own design, so I find that asking quieter students more specific questions about their projects helps to get them to open up. I ask "Why did you chose this?" or "I see you're making a piano...do you play?" I find that making an effort to get to know my quiet student usually will get them feeling more comfortable about contributing.
Hi Virginia,
I like to balance my groups. What do you do if you feel the groups are not balanced? I like to have at least one strong academic person in each group for a good balance.
I would have verbal assignments as well as written assignemnts to make sure that the students are all listening to lectures. Based on what the stdents say and write down I will be able to refer back to them so they can get involved in other lectures.
Pick 4 -5 topics that you want the class to learn about---have each student select which "group" the want to be with and see where this student chooses. Sometimes if the topic is one he is interested in, he may open up.
I have dealt with silent students on many different levels. Because I, myself, was shy (and still am in personal life), I understand the shyness factor in classrooms.
I usually call upon the student once, and assess their willingness or reticence to answer the question. If they seem very introverted, I allow them to listen for a time. By not forcing them into the spotlight, I allow them time to assimilate into the classroom evnironment.
I find that students who willingly answer, give much better responses, as they have a "need" to relay the information, rather than give a short, reguritated or whispered reply. If I do not ask them questions pointedly, I find that they will slowly enter the discussions and engage.
I have also used groups to combat the silent student problem. The problem here though is that they may hang back in this activity as well; therefore, it is only partially effective. Think how you would feel if you were reticient to speak to one person, and then you were forced to respond to more in a group. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it does not.
The easiest way to engage silent students is to ask them to write a short answer essay question, then read it aloud to the class. Even though they must read out loud, they have already scripted their response, and it then feels more comfortable. After this initial activity, then I use the group technique.
I had one student, at another school, who was too shy to participate at all. I allowed him to listen for a few weeks, assessing his learning along the way. The student broke out of his shell, and now particiaptes very well, both individually and in groups.
I think some students have had bad past experiences with teachers, or adults in general. We, as teachers, need to earn that trust from the student to be able to bring these shy students out.
Note: Students who are that shy may also have some social interaction problems, such as "high functioning autism," which can impede classroom interaction. ADHD students may "act out" or be silent as well. I always assess this possibility as well.
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Nancy Lorenz-Vega
Concorde Career College
Instructor
By creating smaller groups to give them a chance to open up and partake of the class material.
Hi Emily,
I agree. I've known very bright silent students, they just shut down in big groups. I like to create small groups and make it a point to have the silent student as the leader of the group.
Patricia
Hi Cynthia,
What have you done in the past to involve silent students? I like to have a question answer session that involves the entire class, thus forcing the silent student to participate.
Patricia
Wow, Cindy that is such a great idea, I thnik I will have to try that in my class when the new semseter starts. Thanks!
I have a young woman in my classes who started out as a silent student. I involved her in small groups for the first two or three classes, and had each member of that group take one part of the project to talk about. This helped her greatly, because she was not afraid to be more outspoken within the group, and when it came time for her presentation she had the confidence and support of her group. Now she is one of my more vocal members of the class - which is good for her and for all of the class. She contributes greatly to the class discussions and has helped draw out some of the other silent students.
Hi Mary,
I have tried making silent students leaders of group projects, and it has worked well. Great way to get the silent student involved.
Patricia
Hi Candice,
I have found that silent students will shut down in a group larger than 4, and 4 is really pushing it. The smaller, the better for silent students.
Patricia
Hi Isabel,
Silent students are really easily intimidated. What a good strategy to get the silent student involved in such a tactful way.
Patricia
Hi Mary Jane,
Silent students really feel a lot more comfortable in small groups.
Patricia
I can involve silent students in the class by dividing the class into small groups so that everyone needs to have an opportunity to participate.
