How do I get all the students to answer questions?
Most times it is the same students offering answers to questions, while others do not particitate. Even when calling on students, they won't answer.
John,
I also disclose clear expectations about using questions in my lectures from the beginning. It also lets the students know that they must remain alert.
Judy Mohammed
I addition to letting them know from the start of class, that class participation is mandatory for them to earn the grade for paricipation, I also make sure I know the names of my students, so I call all of them by their names when asking questions. I take time to explain to them the reason why I ask them questions during each class time. Making them understand,that question and answer session in the classroom is not to embarass them, but rather is for me to get feed back from them to ensure they are learning the material
Charlotta,
I truly believe that all college class should include class presentations. I have had wonderful presentations from students who are nervous. I do group presentations so that they have support and I work with them, building their confidence.
Judy Mohammed
Charlotta,
I do the same and, like you, I have not had many issues with participation.
Judy Mohammed
Linda,
I agree with you. There are students who are shy and do not want to be put on the spot to answer or a question.
I have a student who does not enjoy doing presentations. She really gets nervous. I told her that we all do and I told her as well as the class my experience with being nervous. Also, I told her that she has to come away from nervous because she does presentations everyday when she talk to people.
She laughed at me but the light bulb went off and she present her essays very well.
I tell my students at the start of each class that they are required to participate in class; this is how they get their participation grade in each class. I have not had a problem with them not participating in class because first of all they want to learn as well as get a good grade.
Linda,
You are right. I find that students with accents appreciate when we reach out to them and encourage them to participate in the discussions.
Judy Mohammed
This is so true. I believe there are a variety of diffrent reasons why certain students do not like to participate in answering questions. They may be shy, it may be a language issue, or they simply may not know the answer. It is always the same students who offer to answer first. I use the probing and reinforcement methods. If one student answers the majority of a question correctly than I offer encouragement and reinforcement and will call on another student to continue with that same thought. I find if a student is challanged with responding to questions in the class room when they are given a starting point they will feel a little more comfortable continuing with that thought.
Andrew,
I use probing to get them to answer. I break the question into parts and I usually get responses, perhaps because they realize I am not simply going away. I also let them know that this is my teaching method fro the first day.
Judy Mohammed
