During my first class i like to get a feel of each students goals for thier future and what they hope to get from this experience.
I was once a silent student. The best thing never to do is put that student on the spot in front of the class, they probably know the information but by putting them on the spot just makes them pull further in. Allow that student to feel apart of that class in a subtle manner
I do a number of things to involve silent students. I break them into groups, ask for their opinions on issues, acknowledge them when they walk into class, etc. I find that the more comfortable they become with their environment and others the more likely they are willing to participate.
I address the silent student before and after class and even during there break or lunch and getting to know them a little may break down the wall that keeps them silent.
Hi Sandy,
I understand. I never like putting my students on the spot, especially if I know they are uncomfortable.
Patricia Scales
I often have Native American students in my psych nursing class. Since we discuss the cultural aspects of mental health and mental illness, I ask each of them privately if they would be willing to share their thoughts and experiences. Unfortunately, I have never had one of these students voluntarily speak in class. Out of respect for them individually and culturally, I don't call on them in class.
This is an example, I believe, of balancing the rights of individual students and the educational needs of the class.
Sandy Mishkin
As an instructor, I find that by interacting with the silent student before class helps to build a report. As I learn about the quiet student, I am able to steer the class discussion towards an area of life experience the quiet student relates with. The quiet student so far has been shy individuals. These students when speaking in an atmosphere of mutual respect soon find their voices.
Learning about the student before class. Then involving them in areas that they are interesed in allows them to discuss topics that they can use prior learning to address.
Having small group assignments helps the quiet ones get to know the others and become more involved. I try not to call on them too often so they are not put on the spot all the time. I don't want them to be uncomfortable. I make sure everyone knows they need to participate in our games we play for test reviews.
Involving silent students in class is a matter of letting them feel like their opinion is important and it matters for the benefit of the class. The idea of breaking up the class into smaller groups is a very effective one because it lets a silent student feel less pressured by having only a small number of students per group.
i tend to use smaller work groups and allow the students migrate to each other. This seems work well the last few times. It has allowed the quieter students to have a voice in the class.
Hi Peggy,
Good approach to take with the silent students. I make it a point to make small talk with the silent students daily.
Patricia Scales
Hi Patrice and Class,
In an online class, it can be easy for a student to disappear. You want to encourage a shy student to speak more in class without them feeling so pressured that they withdraw from the class completely. Shy students may be helped by the online atmosphere in that they had more time to formulate their ideas and responses.
As an instructor there are a few things that you can do when you see that a student is not participating.
1. You can send a note inviting the student to become part of the class discussions
2. In a threaded discussion you can try to bring a shy student into the conversation. For instance, if you have a shy student Mary, you can reply to another student response with “ This reminds me of something Mary said in her post…â€
3. You can follow up a shy student’s comments with a supportive post like “Good job...a further point is...â€
There is always one student a little more silent than the rest and for many different reasons. I do take the time to make get to know all my students and find a lot of the time, the silent ones are the most passionate about their studies. I find ways to make eye contact and as I discuss the subject matter, smile, and acknowledge the presences of the silent student in subtle ways, to let them know I am there for them.
Before each day starts, I like to ask the students how their weekend or evening went. I try to focus on the silent ones and they usually will engage on telling the other students what they did. This usually makes them feel comfortable and trusted at the beginning of their day. For my silent students, it's mostly a matter of a lack of confidence in what they want to say. They want to feel validated in all situations but are unsure of themselves.
I've had great success in my automotive class using situations that my students are likely to have experienced. Everybody drives a car. I lay out a situation and get a show of hands, take a story from a student or two, and then engage the quieter memebers in the same discussion. Seems to work.
Hi Yolanda,
Trying to establish a rapport with silent students is a big plus. They tend to open up more when they have a relationship with you.
Patricia Scales
I normally place them in a group to see if they will open up. I talk to them one on one. Try building a trust relationship with them.
I think a great way to involve a silent student in class is to pay a little more attention to that student, ask guestions of them i know they will be able to answer, i like to ask questions that will make them think, the student will eventually be able to answer the question correctly.
I believe that eye contact is key, especially with a silent student. I think that silent students get left out because they are silent. Eye contact, I feel, lets them know that you are including them, even though they have no dialogue or input for the class.
