At times, when I am teaching in a computer lab, I will have students send questions to the printer without their name attached. This helps when you have a few "lost" students, or a lost class and they don't want to admit it.
It is something that only works in the computer lab sadly.
Hi Jessica, Thanks for sharing some great ideas for effective questioning. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Often the non-responsive students just take more time than others to "feel out." You can ask each student to compose a minimum of three questions after each class to be turned in, and then pull from those questions in the following session. Hearing their own question may encourage participation. You can also invite them to follow up on another student's response. When they do contribute to the discussion, be sure to praise them thoroughly and immediately so that they clearly see that their input is wanted and appreciated.
Many non-responsive students feel inadequate about their ability in the subject area or they are shy. I try to give added attention to these students. Although I greet every student as they enter my classroom, I may comment more to these students. In addition during break, I may start a conversation with my students who remain in the classroom especially including these students. I may call them by name to answer questions and praise their answers.
Hi Terie, Thanks for sharing some great ideas for running an interactive classroom!
Susan Polick
I like to give my students a problem to solve in small groups. Then, each group presents their answers to the class and has to answer questions from the rest of their classmates about their solution to the problem. Each individual in each group is required to explain the part of the problem they worked on, which gets them asking and answering questions of each other, as opposed to constantly having to talk only to me. After a couple of group activities, they're usually more likely to speak up when I ask questions of the class as a whole. It works as a sort of ice-breaker.
Hi Richard, Thanks for your post to the forum. Most instructors tell me that learning to facilitate questioning is quite challenging. It is an ongoing process! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I will sometimes ask a question from a student that i know will have the correct answer and after they answer i will say im not sure and ask another student that doesnt always participate what do you think or can you add to that and they give the same answer then respond your both correct and seems to creat more participation in class.
I have all the students write down one question at different intervals during the lecture and then at the end of lecture we discuss each of them as a group. This does allow the quiet students to eventually open up.
One of the most fustrating things is to teach a class and ask questions with little responce from the students. What has helped me is to make sure the question are not so broad and have a short answer that relates to the topic being taught. I don't ask question to stump my students and give praise even if the answer is not complete. This will get other student involved in the discussion.
Hi Tim, Thanks for your post to the forum. That is a great way to have students use critical thinking skills! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career
Susan Polick
Hi Angela, Thanks for your post to the forum. Facilitating questioning is a learned skill that every teacher must master. As you mention, creating a safe and comforting environment is key. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
That is a really great question! One strategy might be to stat sith a simple lower level question that anyone in class could easiky respond to. This might help bring a level of comfort so the student may participate again. Can also try drawing them out by asking for a response to another student's question or comment. It can be challenging as you don't want to make them uncomfortable so that they never participate. Comfort is key in student participation. That starts with me as the instructor setting a comfortable and safe environment for the students.
I will occasionally answer my own question and then ask a student to comment on the answer or provide an alternate solution.
Hi Raghda, Thanks for sharing some good ideas for effective facilitation of questions!
Susan Polick
Invite questioning by saying, "I would like to hear someone else's input.", especially if the same people are doing all the answering. Sometimes, token economies can be a fun way to arouse the class (i.e. throwing out snack size candy to people responding). I think if the class feels comfortable and the instructor is inviting, students are less intimidated to answer questions.
1- Ask questions about personal experience.
2- Rotate the questions and answers in the class room so that every student could participate.
3-Have the students ask eachother several questions about the topic.
4- Give students some time to prepare questions on the selected topic.
It is important to involve all students in questioning sessions so know one will feel left out.
Hi Edward, Thanks for your post to the forum. I often refer to questioning as "an art". You seem to have a good creative handle on it! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
To help build confidence in non-responsive students, I will often direct questions to them when I know that they know the answer, being careful that the question is not so easy that it can appear to be patronizing. I will also ask them direct questions, like do you agree or disagree with the answer given by someone else. That can serve as an opening to further questioning.
