The quite, shy and the low
When asking students questions in class I will choose 3 students for the same question only one can answer the question. All 3 students will talk about the question and then produce the answer. At that point I will be able to probe for how the student got the answer. This how I would get the quite and self esteem students active in the class.
As a photography teacher, we are often looking and discussing photographs in class. This could either be during a student critique or lecture of another artists work. Its difficult for students at the beginning of class to participate, most of them are nervous to speak up and give their opinion and interpretation of the work we are looking at. Students often give short answers but I have learned to use probing questions to get them to elaborate on their answer. I also find that redirecting works well to keep the conversation going especially when it is a shy group of students, even if the first answer is a good one.
Although this does work well there are some students that are too shy to speak up. When I was a student in photography school I was extremely shy and I myself would never like to talk in critique for fear of interpreting the work wrong, so I know how my students might be feeling. I have since have gotten over my fear of public speaking and I hope to get my students there too. After taking this course I learned that using more reinforcement and praise might get them to be more conferrable in speaking up in class. I am going to start using this technique more in our critiques and see if some of the students will come out of their shell more.
Carolyn,
On the first day, I let my students know that I will be calling on all of them for answers. This ensures that they know that they must remain alert and attentive. I use the roster until I learn their names. After they work in small groups, they become more familiar and interact better.
Judy Mohammed
The quiet, shy and the Low?
The quiet and shy don't answer questions even when they know the answer because they preferred to be unnoticed. They will never volunteer without directly being called on. They need to be called on directly and praised for their answers. The classroom atmosphere must be non-threatening.
Kate,
That seems like a great way to get the students to interact with more people than their selected groups.
Judy Mohammed
This is a pretty nice technique. It will also help a teacher save his or her voice by turning over the talking to students. Do you think it is important to shuffle the groups from time to time? I have given short group presentation assignments to students based on rock, paper, scissors, which was both fun and random.
Ricky,
These are good techniques. It also helps to deal with the one person who continuously wants to answer all the questions.
Judy Mohammed
Anthony,
I walk around the class in an effort to address all students. They know that I am doing this and it keeps them alert.
Judy Mohammed
I like to ask questions to all students, but I ask questions to the quite ones so they get them engaged.
In most questions, I throw it out to the class. In some questions, I give it a table which consist of three students. They talk it over and one person will answer. The next time that table answers a questions the person that answered the last question will not be allowed to speak on that question. This will allow everybody to speak and build their confidence and self esteem in front of their peirs.
John,
This is a great method since it encourages teamwork and discussion. Keep up the good work!
Judy Mohammed
