I tried this for a particular student. Even after trying this a couple of times, the group actually asked if she could not be assigned with them because she did not participate. There were 4 total in the group. From reading info on this class, I learned I should have tried to connect with her without anyone else around. What works for one doesn't always work for another.
Hi Tiffany,
It is true, whenever shy students feel as though they are a BIG fish in a SMALL pond they will really come out of their shell. Most shy students shut down in a larger crowd.
Patricia
I think instructors can work to make silent students feel more confident to express themselves by complimenting their work, engaging them in individual coversation to get to know them better and build trust.
I encounter this a lot. What I've done in the past is to break up the class in groups of about 5 or six. Each individual of each group take turns at commenting on any given topic during my lectures.
I will have to agree with the others. Breaking the students up into groups helps the shy student ease his way into adding input or adding to the discussion of the day. From personal experience, I used to be the shy student (a long time ago)the smaller groups helped me to do the assignment and talk.
With so many military personnel returning to school, I have had many students with PTSD. How do I engage them without causing undo stress?
If the small groups don't help this type of student, would having them work on a video presentation of some type at home and playing it to class help to give them the confidence to give the next presentation in person?
Place the slince student in a small group for activities and other classroom assignments.
involve in the group discussions, group assignments. ask them to sit in the front.
Hi Jaime,
You have to pull silent students into the involvement. Silent students are not the students to openly volunteer.
Patricia
I know that sometimes students are simply shy or bored or unprepared. But I also know that racism, sexism, and classism often work to silence some voices. And let's face it: Sometimes students are quiet because they have a bad teacher. Those scenarios conflicted with the kind of student-centered, critical-learning, dialogical classroom I hoped to create. By reading gender and race studies, as well as composition, education, and postmodern theories about the "problem" of silence, I gained a greater understanding of the kinds of classrooms we want to create, and what can go wrong. But it wasn't enough: I still wanted to know why students sometimes speak in class and why, sometimes, they don't.
I think it is important to seek information from the parents and then to talk with someone who has expertise in treating mutism if talking with the parents leads you to believe this is a more serious issue than simply needing a little time to adjust. Dr. Maya Angelou, who was a selective mute in her youth due to the trauma of sexual assault, has said that mutism is dangerously addictive (she has compared it to a drug) because it allows you to move passively through life. Even if it seems to be an issue of just having trouble adjusting to school, it appears to me that waiting without some plan to help you draw her out is unwise.
I think having a discussion and making sure everyone has been involved is one way. Another way is having problems being answered on the board. this helps them explain what they did in front of the class!
Hi Ariel,
What a great way to boost a shy student's cofidence. I try to make it a point to build a rapport with all students, especially shy ones so that they are more comfortable with me and my class.
Patricia
SIlent student I think tend to be shy; that was how I was when I was in college; it is how I am at meetings; just listen; therefore have small group discussions; or as an instructor try to find what interests the student and maybe that student will become verbal.
I try to identify the silent students early on and chat with them in private when I have a chance. By doing so I learn about their stronger abilities or noteworthy achievements. Later in class when I explain something, I can call on the silent student in a "by the way I just remembered you were telling me so and so the other day" manner, and having him/her share that source of pride with the class...in my experience that's a definite confidence booster.
Hi Leonardo,
That's right! Give the silent student some lead roles to force them or encourage them to become involved.
Patricia
Put them in a group environment, and encourage them to be the speaker of the group.
Hi Stacy,
Great ideas! As instructors we have to encourage and sometimes force the silent students to participate.
Patricia
I do have 2 quite silent students in my class. They always seem to wait for the others to answer, however it is not due to lack of knowledge. For these students I think it is a case of simply taking a back seat to the more aggressive, more vocal students. To balsnce this, I begin engaging each student from one side of the classroom and I work my way around in the form of a circle until I reach the first student again. This allows everyone equal time as well as equal say. And with group discussions, I do use small groups and sometimes assign the silent student to lead the discussion.
It is not my normal practice to make shy or silent students participate if it make them nervous or uncomfortable. A private talk about their non-participation in class usually tells me instantly not to embarrace them in class. Thesse are adults. I can't, nor do I want to change them. My obligation is to be a role model and educate them.
