I usually will ask the student that is not answering questions, what they think about the answer that another student just gave. That usually will get them to speak up and usually after that they will be more apt to answering questions.
Hi Heather, Thanks for sharing a good strategy to involve the more insecure student! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I sometimes have the students work in groups as I ask questions, a different student must provide the answer to the entire group each time. That way a shy or unsure student can check their answer with their group before responding to the class as a whole.
I usually start with a general question on the topic to the entire class and if one or two students do not participate, I call on them to get their thoughts on the topic. This usually gets them involved but if they still don't, I ask them a different question that pertains to the topic. Or I may ask them to read out loud a passage in the text and then, ask them to explain it to the class in their own words. This tick gets them all the time to participate in class discussions whether they want to or not.
Hi Jessie, Thanks for sharing an excellent strategy to improve student confidence! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Many students may have had bad experiences in school..one technique I have used for students that may have a hard time is giving them the question that I will ask them in advance so that they have had a chance to find the correct answer or gather their thoughts in advance.
Hi Mariann, Thanks for your post to the forum. Putting students in small groups is a good strategy to increase participation in questioning. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Dave, Thanks for your post to the forum. Facilitating questioning is sometimes a delicate process as you note. Often identifying questions that we know a student will be able to answer is a good strategy. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Putting students into groups and asking all to participate and asking a quiet student what they think are 2 very effective strategies.
Mariann Urbancsik, BSRN
There always seems to be a few students who are reluctant to answer questions in class due to shyness or personalities. I usually observe the class for a few days to see how they react to general questions. If a student knows the material but is shy, I will ask them a question directly. By having the correct response they are encouraged to speak up in class. But if they don't know it, I will ask a simple question and guide them to the answer to encourage them to participate.
Letting student put up question on the board before a test gets them involved and is a good review before a test
Michael, I do pretty much th same thing. The uninvolved student , I try to find something to draw he/she in. It usually works. But I am always up for suggestions.
Hi Andrea, Thanks for your post to the forum. The shy students do seem to relax more in the small group setting. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
By breaking students into small groups to respond to questions, it takes a lot of the pressure off of students by creating a more informal and less intimidating space to talk. You should keep an eye on the groups to evaluate how well this works. You can also let students know the discussion points in advance, as some people need to prepare to speak.
Hi Joy, Thanks for sharing an example of effective questioning! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Asking a student what they think of another's answer is a great way to get a quiet student involved. It gives them the opportunity to voice an opinion or share some insight. It also gives them the opportunity to get involved if they don't have a thought formed yet. The more the students have the opportunity to speak up (even in a noncommittal way) the more likely they are to get involved and feel a part of the class.
Sometimes I will tell students that I want them all to take a minute and think of their response; don't shout out their answer because I don't want it to influence others' thoughts right away. Then I will ask each student to respond. (We have small classes.) Since each student was given time to prepare a response, knowing that they would be asked to speak, they are prepared to speak. Then I can expand on their response, which prompts further conversation from the usual "non-responsive students".
Ask them a question they know the answer to.
Thanks Susan. I appreciate your response!
Hi Rita, That's an fair way to give everyone an opportunity to participate!
Susan Polick
