One way to get the non-responsive studnets or all students involved is to use the following:
1. Tape answers to questions under random students seats prior to the start of class. Next, ask the question and call on a particular student to feel under his/her seat and read the answer to the class.
By doing this, the students don't feel intimidated and become more willing to participate. Eventually, you will give each student in the class an opportunity to answer a question for the class.
Hi Kathy, I really like that idea!
Susan Polick
I like to put the classes into groups and have each group member come up with questions for the class. Each person must ask a question and answer a question while going around the room.
I do a review of the material the day before an exam. Students have the homework assignment of writing several questions for the exam (which I try to incorporate into the test). I have various game-strategies for doing the review but I will discuss one of them here: Two students are seated per table. I place a large pile of "Smarties" and "Dum Dum Lolipops" in the center of each table. As I go through and ask the questions that the students wrote, as well as my own questions, students keep their own personal tally of what they know well and what they need to focus their study on for the exam. They give themselves the appropriate prize based on their own perceived knowledge. This approach is extremely popular! I hear students saying, "Oops, I need more Dum Dum Lolipops!" or, "YES, more Smarties this time!". This was a very visual way for students to assess their own strengths and weaknesses. It was not at all used as a means of comparison to other students; in fact, one lady dislikes Smarties, so she rewarded herself with the Dum Dum Lolipops!
Kathy
Hi Thomas, Thanks for your post to the forum. Most instructors relate that learning to facilitate good questioning sessions is one of the toughest things to master. You seem to be doing a really great job!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Alisa, Thanks for your post to the forum. Students do really enjoy talking about the personal experiencres they have had with the topics they are studying. Having them see the relevance also increases retention.
Susan Polick
That is great idea to entice students to get involved. I am amazed at how excited students get to play games, even if it is only for a sticker.
When I have students who I know will be difficult in getting responses from , I start by asking them their opinions on subjects , not for specific answers. I try to get them to open up in front of the class so they get used to speaking in front of everyone and not be embarrassed by giving a wrong answer.
Eventually I have to be able to assess them. So after a week or two I'll start asking soft questions so they can gain confidence. But there comes a time when other students know when you are asking difficult questions to some and not others. You eventually have to get everyone engaged on an equal basis.
Some ways are to take certain topics and relate them to their life situations.
I form groups of teams and they have to come up with answers usually the teams are the same size and there are enough questions that each person in the group must answer one.
Hi Michael, Good suggestions for increasing participation! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
YOu have to make the environment comfortable and that starts with personality and apporpriate humor. Tell them a story that relates to the topic and ask them to share related experiences. Set the environment up first and make it conducive to to asking questions. You could have them all write down a question and pass them around the room having each student ask a question that they did not think of.
Hi Jeffrey, Thanks for your post to the forum. Those are good examples of open-ended questions that encourage participation.
Susan Polick
Hi Donna, That's a great example of active learning! Thanks for your post to the forum. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Role play scenarios are always a great way to get students to participate. Not only are several students acting out the role, but then it seems that more students want to comment and ask questions when it is not just a dry question and answer type of situation.
Hi Carl, Thanks for sharing some excellent advice on facilitating questioning! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
At times we can create a "jigsaw" whereby we divide the class into groups and have one student present their part of the case study to the class. After which a short Q & A session is begun where the student responds to questions posed by the class or other groups.
Draw them into the discussion by asking questions of different students. Get the students engaged in thinking an responding to a question by calling on them and asking what they think, and follow the question up with perhaps a "why"?
Keep the students on point. I think some students are definitely afraid to answer because of social stigma, they may be looked at as not intelligent.
Encourage them to ask a relevant question, perhaps they are thinking behind where you are, still trying to absorb and assymilate what you have taught them, or, perhaps they are three steps ahead and are bored with the current topic.
Important thing is, don't assume the people who are silent are not engaged. This may be the furthest thing from the truth, and the only way to know is to include them in the discussion and questions raised in the class.
Hi Lisa, Thanks for your post to the forum. In my 30 + years in Education, I have found that facilitating questioning is one of the most difficult skills for instructors to master. You seem to be doing an excellent job!
Susan Polick
Hi Peter, Thanks for your post to the forum. Your summary of questioning sessions utilizing small groups was great! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
