It is suggested to offer to discuss off-subject topics on an individual basis after class. I often get responses from students stating they can't stay after class because they work. Any idea on how to respond at that point?
Hi Lee, Thanks for your post to the forum. Absolutely! Students really relate to our own experiences "out there"!! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Sharing professional and personal stories is a way of teaching real life experiences. It seems that interest significantly picks up when these experiences are relayed as everyone is eager to hear how the real world functions as opossed to just theory.
Hi Frederick, Thanks for your post to the forum. Excellent that you share your own stories of experiences with your students! I am glad that you have gotten some new ideas from this class! Best wishes for continued sucess in yourteaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I have told stories of systems I repaired or serviced and show pictures when asking questions. I have been thinking about this during this course and believe I need to ask more questions. This course has shown I am probably not getting the message accross that I thought I was.
Giving them constant feedback and directing them to keep them focus. Making sure to aknowledge any response without beeing dismisive.
Hi Gretchen, Thanks for your post to the forum. I find that using the "Parking Lot" on the whiteboard is the best way to cut off an off-topic question and return to it later. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I ask a question that has a very limited response, then I ask the students to expand on that response. I do have trouble "cutting off" students who talk about things off topic or go on too long. I find this especially frustrating when I notice other students starting to become unfocused due to that students response that is off target.
Hi Jose,Thanks for your post to the forum. Absolutely - being able to facilitate good questioning sessions is a very important skill for any instructor.Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
First, all questions are contribution to the class. Recognize and praise all questions and answers is a must. Give credit even to partially right answers, redirect the question to focus in the topic and bring other students to the discussion is the best way to conduct the class. Education must be a dialogue and an exchange of knowledge. The instructor who knows how to use questioning method in class has an advantage over the ones who don't.
Hi Jill, That's an ideal way to handle topics that are off topic. Susan
Susan Polick
If the student group gets off track I let them know that we will shelf the new topic/question until after we finish the current one. I actually mark them down in order and readdress them in order.
I find the best way to keep students focus their questions on the content I ask my own questions that apply to the topic so the students can refocus back into the topic.
Hi Rassiel, I like to use the "Parking Lot" for questions that I don't want to address immediately. I jot the question down on the Board and we come back to it later. Susan
Susan Polick
the best way to keep the estudent focused during questioning sessions is to make sure to give positive feedback while they participate and making sure to re-direct them if necessary. it is very important not to be dismisive even if the questions aren't relevant, I think the best thing to do is to make them understand that his/hers question will be addressed later on and with more depth.
Hi Chad, Thanks for your post to the forum. You are obviously doing an effective job managing questioning! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I have not had an issue with this in Math class. When presenting new material, students have been asking appropriate questions and if there aren't any, I am prepared with a problem that might create some. When reviewing homework, students have been asking questions and if not, I always review and ask a few questions to make sure all objectives are covered.
Open or broad questions to encourage many possibilities for discussion.
Closed questions for closure and to drive direction to the conclusion.
Personalized questions to add a bit of a charge or heat to a discussion.
More astract to reduce the heat.
you can keep students engaged in questioning sessions by giving more information about the subject and make it intersting
Hi J, Thanks for your post to the forum. That is an excellent strategy to get participation! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
Susan Polick
