Involving silent students in class
How can you help silent students to become more involved in the class?
Placing students in small groups gives them a chance to maybe speak with out feeling wrong.
After a few weeks, I change seating arrangements and try to put someone that is compassionate and outgoing by my silent one. I also try to ask the silent one questions that I know they can answer and compliment them on their answer.
I was a silent student in junior high and high school. Dividing the class into small groups, partnering with another student, and individual projects were successful for increasing class involvement and participation.
I agree that putting the student into a small discussion group can and usually is helpful. But I have also found that some students are silent due to lack of confinence so building up their self esteem can go a long way. Students need to know that their idees are valuable.
I have found that shyness is often linked to low self confidence. A few extra words of encouragement or high praise have helped some of my shy students tremendously.
Having them work in small groups.
Incorporate group activities such as drawing a skeleton where each part of the group has an extremity to draw so that they are all working together in a fun activity and any shyness will eventually melt away. I teach massage therapy so normally I dont have any silent students past the first one or two classes because they become so familiar with eachother by means of working hands on, massaging eachother they develop bonds and many reservations are relaxed.
For the criminal justice courses that involve hands-on activities, I have found the "quiet" students and purposely assigned them the role of "supervisor." The combination of a position with authority and the responsibility of directing others has opened quite a few of my quiet students up. So much so, in fact, that they started participating in classroom discussions.
Create small groups for the silent students to participate in. Periodically call on the student to summarize some key points covered.
Silent students are a calllenge for all educators. I think that when we can engage these students and bring them into class discussions we do them a favor that will helo them in their chosen career fields. I like to oput those students into small groups and allow them to be a part of something bigger than just thenselves. then when haveing that smal group interact with the class ir equire that all memebers of the small group paticipate in providing informatin to the class and answering questions that the class may have. It generally works wll and most of my silent type students have come a long way and routinely interact better in both the classroom and clinical arenas.
I think that creating and enforcing a comfortable learning zone where questions are encouraged and even wrong answers are appreciated helps the student. Other strategies might be to use the small group method, have a question basket where students can put questions in without having to ask and risk embarassment in the class, and maintaining clear lines of alternative ways of communication/participation. Getting students to open up to one another and the teacher is a great way to help them feel comfortable. Finally, helping the student to see you as a human with imperfections may make him/her feel better about his/her own percieved imperfections and more likely to speak.
Hi Patricia,
I like a lot of the responses on this post. I also utilize a lot of small group discussion. When I use this tool, I try to walk around the class and approach each small group. I'll then ask specific students (usually the quiet ones or the inattentive ones) what their group is coming up with.
I have found that after one or two times, everybody starts getting more engaged and open.
Best wishes,
Rick
It seems like a lot of us agree that breaking the students down into smaller groups is one effective way to help a silent student become more involved in class. I also like to engage a student in conversation either during class, before class, or after class. This helps a student to feel more comfortable with you and the environment.
Shortly, well next Tuesday(6/21) we will be preparing for the Final Exam, the class wanted a practice so I have prepared the practice exam. The practice exam will be divided between all students evenly, any out-of-balance will be handled by the instructor, then each in turn will read their question from the practice final and determine from group input the best answer for the question. Everyone will be required to participate!
I have found that by placing the student in a small group for assignments has helped. Encouraging the student and asking the student how you can help is also very important and helpful. Group assignments creates a more relaxed atmosphere in the classroom.
Hi Jumana,
I like how you do various activites to encourage the silent student to get comfortable speaking to the class and in class.
Patricia
I give them assignments to do which they have to come in front of the class and present. Also on the spur of the moment will make small groups and give them 10 minutes to prepare a topic and come up front and talk to the whole class about it. It slowly but surely opens up the silent students in the class.
Cooperative Learning techniques work well:
1) Place all the students into a core or base group of 3 - 4. This is their main group for the whole term. Small groups reduce shyness.
2) Give them assignments in groups in such a way that everyone has to contribute to a discussion or a final project.
3) As the teacher walks around, encourage the silent students to summarize what the group is doing/discussing.
4) Ask the silent students questions about their areas of interest/expertise so they can give their answer to the class.
I think the silent student will have more confidence in a small group because they will have the support of their group in the event they "stumble."
