Generating a discussion
I created a system called the 30 second rule. When I call on students they are not allowed to say I don't know. They are required to think for up to 30 seconds to find a reply to a question. This makes them think before they speak.
Its great that you can hold your students accountable like that. I teach online, and the replies I get in the discussion are all very similar. I have tried different things to get better replies, but my school has very strict guidelines on discussion boards and will not let the instructors change much. I'm not sure what I can do to make the discussions more interesting, but also meet the "no changes" school guidelines.
Hi, David. Great approach. When the rules are spelled out, the students can adjust to "Make it work," as coined by Tim Gunn on Project Runway. I have told a student who cannot answer a question that I'll get back to him/her, and I do. That way every student becomes accountable. This works with interviewing questions, especially, "Identify one weakness you have." In addition, students are not allowed to give a response already used, making them more likely to respond the first time asked.
Hi Bobbi- You are handling the student participation problem beautifully! Thanks for your post to the forum. Susan
Hi David -
That is very interesting. Do you find that you have students who are not comfortable speaking in front of a large group? I use question and answer, and then I also have my classes break out into groups to discuss case studies. I am then able to observe to ensure that everyone is taking part. If I have a student who isn't taking in class or working successfully in a group, i will then pull them aside to see where the problem lies.
Bobbi Bricker
I'm going to have to try this in my classes! That's a really good idea!
Hi Jeris- Welcome to ED 103! I agree, when you ask your students to write down their answers several things happen - as you mention, students really have to think through their answers and in addition through that thinking process and the writing of their answer, their retention will be improved. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
Hi David,
That is a really interesting idea.
What I like to do to make sure students have something to say, and also to make sure they "think before they speak," as you said, is have them write down answers on a piece of paper. I am a firm believer that writing is a great way to discover what one really thinks about a topic.
