Get Your Students Hired
What are some techniques for dealing with students who do not do well, at least initially, with answering questions?
Laura,
This is a very good method to encourage shy students to participate.
Judy Mohammed
Students who have trouble answering questions during class are often the same ones who have a hard time asking questions when they don't understand the material. To try to get everybody at least a little bit comfortable with doing both, I often wrap up with a round of "Ask a Question/Answer a Question." Each student gets a chance to either test his or her knowledge, or to pose a question about the material. I try to reassure the students that if they have questions, they are probably not the only people in class who do. And as other participants in the forum have noted, if the student opts to answer a question, I try to gauge it to the student's level of comfort with speaking in class and ability to respond correctly.
Susan,
It is indeed wonderful to see this change in the students. Working in teams also encourage them to be more interactive.
Judy Mohammed
Cassandra,
You are absolutely correct. I always try to ask the shy students questions that I am sure they will know so that it builds confidence and encourage future participation.
Judy Mohammed
I do the same thing. It is so wonderful to see them over come that point of freezing up and participate with the rest of the class.
I intentionally ask those students questions that I know for sure they can answer. This builds confidence and before you know it, they are able to yell out answers with the best of them.
John,
I often try to reach out to these students during breaks or before class; I get them to talk about things that interest them and I find a way to bring it into the classroom, like an extension of our conversation.
Judy Mohammed