This really depends on the class. If they have trouble remembering terms, I use the Socratic Method to make sure that they understand the material. I also ask them to come up with examples so they can apply the material to their own life.
Hi Catasha, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, the more engaged our students are, the better they participate. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Story telling, Real life experiences, role play all interactive, engaging and fun presents a different situation everytime.
Hi Maria, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, although it does take some effort to get to know students and their interests, it does make questioning more participative! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Stacy, Yes, when students understand the relevance of what they are learning, they do become more engaged.
Susan Polick
I ask questions based on what that student is interested in.Some times that sparks very enjoyable discussions.
I like to use clinical questions in my classes so the students can relate the objective material to their future careers. I find them to be much more engaged when they can see the application.
Hi Sandra, Thanks for your post to the forum. That sounds like an interesting idea to get participation! Best wishes for an excellent July quarter!
Susan Polick
Hi ROBERT, I LOVE that idea! Thanks for sharing!
Susan Polick
Hi ROBERT, Thanks for your post to the forum. That is a great idea for an interactive classroom! Best wishes for an excellent July quarter!
Susan Polick
Hi Bob, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, relating what they are learning to their personal experience is essential@
Susan Polick
I try to ask open-ended questions about the classroom topics and relate the question to real world situations. I also try to have the students imagine their are in the real world situation.
When I teach a basic foundations general education class, all students must participate. I let the shuffle of a class deck pick the next student to answer the next number in the exercises. I first used paint color cards and wrote students names on them. I randomly shuffle the cards after each student has participated in answering an exercise number. I then found these cute colored pre-cut index note cards that were half the size of 3x5 cards (or you can make your own). Again with one name on each card, the cards help also with attendance as I set aside a pile for students who have entered the classroom. The next time, I'm going to introduce an "all skate" or "all answer" card to shuffle in the class deck. When this card turns up, every student must write their answer on a white plastic plate with a whiteboard marker. When all are ready, plates will be lifted for all students to view answers. It will be a great way to get feedback on how students are understanding the objective/task.
I will break down the lecture in sections. after lecturing that section, I will ask a basic question. after the response is given, I ask students to add to the answer until we covered that section of lecture.
First day in my opinion is the hardest day to get students to ask questions on the class or the subject .So one thing I try is at the start of the class I give every student a post-it pad and before the first break I have them write down at least 1 question and put it on the note and on their way out stick it to the board. After the break I collect the notes with the question and answer the questions. A lot of times the students had the same questions I think this puts them at ease to ask questions in the future.
I have cards that have a number on them and a random question. I put a timer in the class that goes off at about every ten minutes. The students are assigned random numbers and must ask their question when their number is displayed makes for a fun middle of the week activity especially when there is a long lecture to get through.
By asking questions where students have an opportunity to use life experiences to connect with principles being taught in the class room.
I try to ask questions that apply to the subject at hand, ex. common real world situations that they may have either heard of or experienced themselves.
Hi Michael, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, taking the time to get to know about our students does enable us to tailor our questioning which definitely increases participation. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
A few techniques that I use to increase student participation are personalizing the question for each student that I ask, and praising students for answering correctly. These two seem to work very well for me.
