Hi Dennis,
Sometimes all it takes for a silent student to become more involved is to simply have a good conversation with the student.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
I give a participation grade. This encourages students to participate.
Patricia
Hello Timothy,
It is a super idea to give the shy student the leadership role. Some shy students have great potential.
Patricia
Breaking up into small groups is a good idea,but also, have the silent student take the lead in the group,this will help show the student that you have trust in their knowledge of the information that is to be dicussed.With that feeling of trust,student may start to open up in the class.
If i can not get a student involved in clas, I will have the student help with a demo and have them relay the information to their lab group,and hopefully after a couple of times with this, the student will be more relaxed in class and will start to be more involved.
I've experienced several silent students in my classes. Getting them involved in the class has not been different for each student though the common denominator has been taking the time before or after class to speak with student off line at their convience allowing the student to express what can be done to assist them becoming more involved in the class. As well as I would offer up some examples of opportunities in up coming projects and or assignments in which I could use their input and assistance.
Hi Shantelle,
It is good to make your students feel comfortable. You made some good points about shy students.
Patricia
After an assignment, or two, I can tell if my "silent students" are just shy...and understand the work or if they don't understand the work and won't ask for help. The students that get the work I will ask them questions to try and involve them or compliment their work...while I will take a few minutes to personally sit with the students that don't get the work and try to help them, quietly, ending by letting them know they can ask me for help anytime they need it.
Hi Laura,
Wow, how the shy student really came out of her shell. I've learned that shy students enjoy active learning. Active learning brings out the best in shy students.
Patricia
I like to use a variety of methods to instruct. Doing small group projects, games and role play I have found bring out the silent learners. I saw a dramatic change when one of my students was role playing a historical scene with some others students and was amazed at how she embraced her character. It seemed that as long as she was being someone else, she could talk up a storm.
Hi B. A.,
It is fine to allow the vocal students to set the stage for the more silent students, but please be very careful to not let the vocal students run the show completely.
Patricia
Setting the stage for participating in class can be set by engaging the more vocal students first so the silent student can see that it is safe to respond. If you as an instructor treat all in the class in a positive way, the silent students may feel more confident to share their opinions.
Hello Eli,
I can tell you like your students to shine. Super work, by calling on the student you know would have the right answer!
Patricia
I help silent students become more involved in class by asking them questions that I know they are confident answering. In last week's class, we were having a discussion about union's and one union's actions in our city. In a previous discussion with this student, I knew that she had family members who were union members and so, therefore, knew that she would be familiar with the question I was asking.
Hi Rufus,
Super ideas on getting silent students involved! These students typically have a lot to offer. We just have to encourage them to verbalize their thoughts.
Patricia
Hi Mark,
Silent students are no doubt very challenging. You have to continue to do all you can to get them involved.
Patricia
Hi Eugene,
What a great way to get all students involved, not to mention the silent students.
Patricia
I have each student discuss or find news about the class I'm teaching, for instance I teach Tax and I will have each student find a news article about tax fraud and then discuss article in class.
I have had to insist that 'silent, loner, and silent loner' students all participate in preparing for a group projet. I the past I would allow the groups to form and topics to be chosen during the final two weeks of the block. Now, I am asking for group assignments by the beginning of Week 2. This is making the silent and loner types plan on talking to others, not just attending the class. The silent student is a tough nut to crack at times.
I meet with them outside of class and complement them on the assignments they have submitted. I explain how being silent can be detrimental to their career and to their company. I explain that while they need not be verbose, they need to share their ideas and solutions. At the next class session, I use one of their assignments as a discussion point and give them credit for a well thought out analysis. This tends to focus some attention on them, and then I ask these silent students to help me during one-on-one time tutoring classmates. This enables them to be come more comfortable with their class/teammates. In most instances, this approach has served me effectively in having the whole class take part in discussions and enabled the silent student to feel their input to the activity is appreciated.
