I have each student right a question about the subject that they do not know the answer to on a 3x5 card. I do not have them put their name on it. Then I shuffle the cards and pass them out. Everybody reads a question and the class responds. This way they don't have to feel embarrassed by the question being asked.
Certainly, getting to know your students and having a broad knowledge of some of their experiences can help to get everyone involved in the discussion. It enables you to ask about specific experiences that they may have had that may be relevant to the topic.
Hi Jodi, That's a great suggestion to incvrease participation! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
As I am working my way through a soul searching part of the class, I walk the floor at the front of the class, directing questions to particular students who have been distracted or who may seem confused. During the class, I am also careful to address all students.
If an answer is given by a more responsive student try and get the non-responsive student to respond from what that student said. They might feel more comfortable responding to another student to make it more conversational than to the instructor.
make the answer to the question odvious and if need be direct the question at a small group of students. I try not to single out a student and pit them on the spot.
Hi Shane, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, students really appreciate and are more relaxed when we make the effort to get to know them and tailor some of our questions to them. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
This can be a tough situation to resolve when an instructor has a non-responsive student to answer questions during the questions and answer sessions. I think that getting to know the non-reponsive student is the best option. Once an instructor gets to know the non-responsive student, the instructor change modify their question and answer session to get all involved.
Hi Richard, Thanks for your post to the forum. By taking the time to engage your students, you send the message that you care about your students. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
My classes contain students from different countries. During my introduction to the class I have each student give a brief biography of themselves. I use this information to talk/greet them prior to class each day. This establishes a comfortable communication flow with students that helps the shy ones participate more in class.
Hi Farzana, Thanks for sharing some methods to increase participation! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Wanda, This is also a great benefit for our students. By setting the objectives at the start of class and recapping at its end, we enable students to see what they have learned from each session. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The best and most effective way to get a non-responsive student to participate and a get them involved in question-and-answer sessions is to, pick students by random to answer questions out loud in class. This way they see that everyone is answering so they wont feel like they are the odd man out. Another great way is to put students in groups of three to work together and present what they studied in class so that they learn to not be shy and that its fun to participate. You just need to break their shell! and these are just the few ways that worked for my students.
I think that it is important to refer back to my course objectives and recap questions. Then that way I know that I have covered the material and that the student understand the content.
At the appropriate time, I state the uninvolved student's name and ask them a specific question or ask them what they think about the previous answers.
I like to involve students by asking questions about themselves, their goals, their support needs. This helps with rapport and sometimes they feel confident with asking questions.
Hi Barbara, Thanks for sharing an effective questioning technique! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I thought the materials for this module had some great ideas. Asking questions that appeal to both high and low level achieving students will help to create a better and more broad discussion. Inviting students to participate by writing problems on the board they must solve together, by reading questions that you ask to be emailed to you outside of class, by having students break up in to small groups and ask each other questions, or by building question upon question with positive responses and feedback are all great options for getting more students involved and asking questions.
In my experience, in order to get a non-responsive student to participate, I would first ask a question to another student then respond in a way that would not humiliate that student, regardless of whether the response was right, partially right, or wrong. Once I've create a comfortable environment, I would either ask the non-responsive a different question or I will ask the student to add expound on another student's answer.
Hi Joyce, I try to get to know my students and then pose questions that I know they have experience with. http://www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury/factsheets_reports.html
Susan Polick
