Making sure they ask questions
When you are presenting subject matter to the class,if some do not understand what you are giving them, you have to try to be aware of the "I dont understand" look that comes over their face, and get them to question what you said. We, as instructors, are not mind readers, but, we usually can tell is a student is not getting it. We have to get through to the students that it is ok to ask questions when the do not understand what the instructor has just laid before them.
I think that one important way to get students comfortable with asking questions is to model it as often as you can yourself. And, in particular, I mean modeling that no question is too simple. Telling them about the time when you had to ask a simple question. Or admitting in a discussion that you have questions. And then remind them that to ask a question means they are thinking.
You hit the nail right on the head. To seek out those who are reluctant to indicate they are behind or don't understand takes more effort than simply tending to the eager. I admire those like you that go the extra mile to teach the whole class. I forwarded your post to our instructor staff. Thank you.
One thing to keep in mind is to make sure not to jump to conclusions about questions...a good probing question on the part of the instructor with an appropriate pause can bring a slew of related questions and engage more students...this can be useful to start the interaction between students who may not have gotten a concept or are initially afraid to ask for fear of being thought dumb. Sometimes you can even turn the question around and answer their question by asking another in return...
I tend to notice the bewildered look on the faces of the students, thats when I try to get the students to ask questions.
I always keep an eye out for the "deer in the headlights" look so I can start asking questions to find out where my students understanding is. I am always suprised at how each class each different this way.
I have found that showing the students why it is important for them to understand the topic of discussion will usualy get them more interested in the topic, wich generates questions.
