No participation-What to do?
I am a new instructor and would like to know how to get a student motivated to participate in class?
Lots of great questions and answers in this forum. I always resort to "calling on people" when I have little responsiveness; not always well received. Icebreakers are good; discussion groups, and presenting answers in groups have also helped me. Another way to share the responsibility to participate is to simply go around the room in order (the instructor is less of the bad guy).
Thank you. Great idea. I was actually thinking of creating such groups for a variety of reasons but hadn't thought of the benefit you pointed out.
Mary Ann
Hi Mary Ann,
You are doing all of the right things with your students. I would suggest an approach that might help the students to get more comfortable with each other in a smaller setting. Put the students into groups of 3-5 and assign them certain tasks. These can be ice breaker types of activities, team activities or mini-presentations. They will get to know the other team members very well, have some fun working together and extend their personal boundaries. Then when you want them to work in the full class setting they won't be as shy since they know they have their team members to fall back on. This way when you create the wacky scenarios there is a group involved in the process. You should see more engagement with this approach.
Let me know if this works for you and if I can be of any further help.
Gary
I am a new instructor. As a student, I remember how important acting out scenarios helped me learn and become comfortable with skills so that I'd be comfortable with the real thing.
Now, I'm trying to do the same for my class. It is harder than I thought it would be to get my students to relax and have fun creating scenarios while practicing skills. Perhaps this is an unfamiliar learning strategy for them or they are too shy.
Would talking about this style during the first class help them prepare to be more engaged later in the course? What is the best way to break the ice to get students past their personal boudaries and practicing skills on each other (my class involves learning first aid, EKG's, pulmonary function tests...). I try to give them wacky scenarios to break up the tension and shyness. What else can I do? I think that being successful here probably starts on the first day of class. Can anyone share as to how?
Dawn, I always start my classes with introductions. After the introduction, I will ask each student to expand on something that they shared, and typically this is where other students will chime in with similar experiences, backgrouds, etc. Once the shy students witness the responses they are a little more comfortable sharing. I continue this approach as needed throughout the session to keep them engaged.
Hi Dawn,
There are many different components that you can consider in terms of student motivation. By being prepared, organized and excited about teaching you have set the stage for your students.
Start the class with some ice breakers to help the students to get to know each other. Then have some activities that are basic with high success results built in. These will show the students that they can be successful in the course and helps you build your confidence that you can be a good instructor. If you have a single student that is not engaged in the course talk with that student and see where he/she is coming from, what their goals are and ask them how you can involve them in the course. Two things happen with this conversation, the students gets personal attention and you learn more about what he/she is looking for. This helps with the building of respect and rapport and leans to increased engagement.
Gary
