Hi Pascale- Thanks for your post to the forum. When asked to refer to personal experience students are usually more at ease answering questions. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Depending on the topic I will ask a question where they have to think about a personal experience in order to come up with an answer or to participate in the discussion. I found that this method helps them understand the information shared in class.
Hello Susan
I found that if I ask questions about the course material to the class and do not get a response I ask a student a direct question so he or she can answer it. If this does not work sometimes I will ask the same question in a different way then if I have a student start to answer I will help him along a little bit to guide him or her.
When I teach comp, I have several class periods devoted to class discussion. This is extremely good at encouraging patterns of critical thinking. If discussion lags, I have students prep questions to ask each other for the following session. That keeps things moving, and the students feel empowered because they have time to prep beforehand.
I agree very much with this type of student participation. It keeps the students thinking actively by opening up new areas of discussion which may not have been considered before.
In accounting some things do not lead to open ended questions. 2+2 is 4. It either is correct or incorrect. However application of a analysis of a financial statement does lead to discuss as to what does it mean or how can you apply the results to real life?
I try and relate questions to real-life experiences as much as possible. I find that this prompts students to want to participate, because they enjoy sharing experiences.
Hi Natasha- Thanks for your post to the forum. Your questioning strategy is really great, especially as your students are required to prepare beforehand. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I have found that questions that students can rely on their personal experience to answer receive the most responses. I think it is because they are comfortable in discussing something that they know, and what better thing to share than something they have personally experienced.
Students do well in courses where they understand and are aware of his/her requirements to succeed. If there is a question/answer component in your course you will ensure students strive. I require students to read weekly chapters and write down questions they want answered post reading. The questions are sometimes similiar student to student and sometimes very different. The exercise promotes the following:
1. Cooperative Learning
2. Collaborative Learning
3. Student teaching and sharing
4. Student Participation
5. Promotes the engagement of diverse learning styles within discussion
Some strategies that I have used in the past include drawing upon information that the students have already learned and are comfortable with and making a connection in the two. Other methods are to incorporate questions that relate to the previous class material. Using open ended questions will promote a creative forum for the students to feel comfortable in asking questions.
I have found that positive reinforcement to my students's responses encourages their participation.
how the subject relates to their personal experience
Hi Lev,
I can relate to your answer all are true to form; keeping them ingaged and instrested;making sure they know the material;thinking out of the box allows everyone to get involved and participate is a win/win
To get the participation from students it is a must to be on their level of making sure they understand the question asked. When the answered allow them to explain if not clear and classmates to add to the answer given,this will have peers participating also.
Hi Albert- Great idea for getting student input!Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Heather - Thanks for your post to the forum. Those sort of questions are my favorites also - they really get conversations going! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Open ended Q and A, gives the students a chance to answer based on what they know off the top of thier heads
Using open ended questions, gives them the chance to answer from their point of view
I like open-ended questions. It makes them think about the situations that I give to them. I like senario questions too.
