Some strategies to use to get non-responsive students involved in the question and answer sessions are to address the class as a whole. In the beginning there are only a few voices that answer out loud, but once everyone feels comfortable, the entire class seems to shout out the answer. It is almost like an excitement to all shout out the answer! I also use questions that have no right or wrong answers, just to get that student to have some type of response to the question being asked. That way all the students will get participation points, which is an easy way to help higher their grades!
I like to have the students volunteer to come up to the board and answer questions or pose questions. The students then get other classmates involved.
Hi Teresa, Also working as part of a group tends to make students feel more comfortable. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I sometimes make a debate about the topic and put students into two groups (pro and con) as a group the team comes up with a certian number of responses based on the topic. From there, each student gives there point and counters another student from the opposing sides. This is a great way I have found that students can participate and feel comfortable because they started with a general script of what they were going to discuss in the debate.
Hi Kristen, Thanks for your post to the forum. You can try saying "let's have someone new answer this question" or you can ask one of the quiet ones "Mary, can you add anything to john's answer". Best wishes! Susan
Susan Polick
What are some suggestions for questioning as a group, if the same student or 2 or 3 students answer the questions each time?
Hi Jeff, Thanks for your post to the forum. Your response is very wise. As you state, we must not embarrass students, but neither can we allow them to languish in non-participation -a very dicey balancing act! As you also mention - we need to be VERY supportive to pull them into discussions etc.
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Put theses students on the spot, be careful not to embarass, but ask them direct questions, and be VERY supportive of their answers. Build their confidence.
In the early stages of the class I let them not answer, choosing instead to merely listen. Many are uncomfortable at this stage. I continue to engage them and near the end of the course they usually come around. I find that pushing hard at the begining only makes them participate less.
Hi Joan, Thanks for your post to the forum. I like the idea of breaking students into discussion groups before starting a questioning session. students will be more comfortable with the material since they have had a chance to discuss it. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I like to number students off into small groups after lecture, to break down key points and present them back to the group into short question and answer sessions with the entire class. It allows all students to participate and builds teamwork, and everyone participates in a non-threatening way.
Hi Lisa,Thanks for your post to the forum and for sharing some good examples of how to get discussion and questioning moving. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I like to see participation from the entire class. I also use my attendance roster to ensure I ask questions and solicit responses from all students.
I also reward responses with "Good!" or "great answer" or "you bring up an important point"
"Has anyone else experienced this?", etc.
I try to keep my students engaged through the questioning process.
As you learn the students, initial questions can be used with the frequent participants and use follow up questions with those that are shyer. However the follow up question might be more open ended rather than specific, or simply a statement such as, "can you add to that John?" Also asking a question with an obvious answer can be used to promote engaging a student until they become comfortable. For example, if the question has been answered already, turn to a second student, "What was the answer, Mary?"
Hi Lisa - I like that idea - kind of makes them feel like they're in a game show! Thanks for sharing! Susan
I give all the students index cards with numbers on them (1-4). Then I ask a multiple choice question and they hold the card up with their answer. Sometimes I give out index cards with TRUE on one side and FALSE on the other. This ensures that everyone can participate and not feeling singled out or embarrassed if they answer in correctly.
I shall steal your idea of maarking up the roll sheet. I have some students who are reluctant to participate, but still want to make a good score on the "participation" part of their final grade. Go figure!
Hi Brian, Students really respond well when we clearly remember information about them and involve it, and them, in discussions. Susan
Hi Therese, You mentioned asking the more reticent students "how they feel" about a topic. This is a great tactic as it is not an objective answer and so is easier for those students to respond to. Susan
If I know something about a student's background or area of interest, I can use that to engage them in a discussion, sometimes using that as a frame of reference for questions.
