hesitate to speak up
Students that hesitate to speak up in large class settings are more comfortable speaking up and participating in small group discussion.
Hi Sherri!
I agree that students gain confidence by being part of the group process. However, it's important that instructors continue to watch for those students who are hesitant to become involved with either class or group.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I agree 100%, it also give the students more confidence as they go along and it great to watch them develop better social skills during this process. Before you know it they are participating in classroom discussions as well!
I find that you make a good point. But the fact is, this can apply to not only students but I've had the same type of situation at work, where a group of employees where brought together to discuss, collaborate, find solutions, etc., and there are people who never speak up about anything, and it could be that they are disinterested, shy, distracted, and/or confused. Nevertheless, they won't speak up and give any input. What I've done, and seen is that you can call on them and ask them directly what their opinion or ideas are about the project or subject. When that doesn't work, I usually conclude with if anyone thinks of any more ideas, please email me, and that usually works.
I have always found that when you have smaller groups you can get the students that participate less to give a little more input into the conversation. I guess they feel a little more at ease in a smaller group than in the class as a whole.
or does this give them a place to hide?
I agree. I have found that my students who are quieter in a whole group setting tend to talk more in a smaller group.
In my class I will watch the students for a day or two. Then I will pick the groups using strong and weaker student about five to a group. This way the stronger students will work with weaker student and it works.
What I do in my groups is that I usually have a group of 3-4 as I have anywhere from 15-20 students and I have the "presenter" role rotate around the group, so that even the shy ones have to present the group findings to the class. And when they see that everyone is nervous about presenting to the class, they become more relaxed by the time it is their turn. The presenter also gets the extra points for the group that day, so if participation is 10, then the presenter receives 15. Those extra 5 points actually come to be quite coveted by my students and I find them arguing about whose turn it is to go next!
Getting the right students together is key. A mixture of students not just the friends.
This is a good point and also teaching online it seems that students have an easier time sending an email since I am not right there staring them down ;)
I agree with this staement so much. it is suprising to me how many of my students are uncomfortable speaking in a group larger than 3 or 4 people. I find that once they get over the initial fear, those shy one often become more confident and learn to lead more effectivly.
I think this is a very true statement however I think it is a bit to vague and do not totally agree.
I have found in many cases that the students who hesitate to discuss in the l;arger classroom setting with the instructor leading the way, do the same thing in small groups. This type of personality tends to be more passive and is fine with letting others take the lead - even if they have a strong feeling about it.
I feel it is part of our job as the intructor to pinpoint those students and find the way not only to ease them into speaking their mind but also to feel safe enough in the classroom, whichever setting, to do so.
Samuel-
I agree with that statement. What I've also observed is that once the student has gained comfort within the small-group setting, they tend to participate more in the large-group setting.
There is something about having other students giving moral support. The shy students are energized by the other less bashful ones and tend to become more alive in group presentations.
Breaking the large class down into smaller groups
does help the shy students get more out of the classes.
Thanks Eugene! I have found that students take on different roles in the elarning groups; some are the organizers, some the verbal contributors, some the summarizers and evaluators, etc. I always try to make sure each group member, even the quiet ones, has a role in group dynamics as well as clarity on the particular assignment or activity.
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator
I have found that when some students are in groups they have the ability to manage the group.
It seems to get the quiet students more active in the classroom and in the lab.
Hi Ray, yes asking questions certainly engages discussion provided that, of course, we do not put any students on the spot.
I have often found in working with more shy or hesitant students that if I ask them, as well as the whole class, to write down questions that they have about the topic I am presenting, then I mention how excellent those questions are (plus provide the answers), that it helps to break the ice. Then, the shy students, in return, may be more likely to respond to my questions.
Thanks for your comment,
Jay Hollowell
ED106
