As an Instructor...
I found the area of discipline interesting in regards to my students. I had to stop and wonder what may be the intent of their education. Is it to acquire knowledge or get the grade needed to pass the class?
Through my experience as an Instructor I always ask my students questions about the chosen topic and they allbow their heads hoping thatI will not make eye contact and pass them up. I then call on each of them to contribute. It is frustrating for me because I feel if they participated and conversed the class would be more interesting and fun. I do however have one student that is always prepared and does answer all of the questions. I feel he is losing out and he is taking this class as an elective. How do I engage them more and get them to prepare for class?
Steven,
This lets them be contributors as well and gives them a chance to show what they know and how they can be leaders with their peers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I too will assign the quieter,shyer students a role as "group leader or speaker" to help get them engaged.
Eddie,
This is a key point in terms of helping students to develop the necessary discipline required for career success. Many students lack self discipline when they come into the program and if they are going to be successful in their career they are going have to acquire this ability.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
discipline is a very important part of being an instructor. of course there are days when you would like to fly off the handle with an unruly student but you must stay calm cool and collected. You must be a positive influence
JAMEL,
This is a good way to get every student involved in the sharing process and bringing their thoughts out to the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I break the quiet ones out by assigning several group projects on a weekly basis in which each person has to present a piece of the assignment to the class.
Sophia,
I agree. We are models of our career field as well as professional educators so we need to remember this in our dress, conduct, language and student interaction.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think that discipline is very important as an instructor, so they can be a role model to their students. We must first lead by example to develop good habits in the classroom.
I think discipline is very important as an instructor, so they can be a role model to the students.
Teresita,
This is a great way to get everyone involved in the class and sharing his or her experience. This sounds like a fun activity that the students look forward to each time it is held. I am sure this activity is going to be valuable to other instructors that are looking for ways to get all of their students involved.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I schedule a "Student Have the Floor Day" for the whole class in Mathematics in which students get participation points. An activity sheet had been handed out to all students the day before so they can prepare for the solution of the exercises. On "Student Have the Floor Day", students pick their group of 2 to 3 and work it out to solve the problems, they brainstorm to convene to the best solution and get prepared to present it to the whole class. Each one is required to function and the group is given 3 to 5 times to solve different problems. The self-directed students lead the group(consultant) while the shy ones do the presentation and explanation of the solution. I observed that the less engaged students benefit from this activity.
Paul,
I use learning groups a lot in my courses as well for the reasons you mention. This format helps them to learn how to work with others to reach a common goal.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like putting students into competitive teams and require each to contribute to the total group grade...PAUL T. ROUGEMONT
Sherry,
Keep up the effort because if the quiet ones learn that you will let them off the hook in terms of assignments or contributions to the class they will become even more quiet so they don't have to do the work. I make sure to engage every student so they know I respect them for their opinions and contributions and that I expect them to make contributions each time we have a discussion session.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have been having some of those same problems, I am trying to bring the "quiet" ones out of the "shell" and have them develop more confidence
Beth,
I use a panel format to help in this area. I assign student to a learning group of 3-4 students. I give each one on the panel a topic to present for a specific amount of time. I have the panel come to the front of the room and sit behind a table. By having 4 students sitting behind a table no one person stands out and this really helps shy students with their confidence. Since there is a specific time limit the students know that they only have to speak for a period of time, again this is a relief for them. I find that after a panel session like this almost all of the students feel comfortable in speaking up and contributing to class. I also give Professional Points which are based upon attendance and participation. This helps them to contribute as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Holly,
Can you put your students into learning groups and assign them reports or projects? Sometimes mixing up the students helps to even out the participation. Also, I use panels where each student presents for a set amount of time. This way my dominants as well as my shys contribute equally during the panel discussions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
So what can we do? How can we motivate students to want to learn and speak up.
i also have several students that are always prepared for class and dominate the questioning part of my lecture class. These students will jump in and answer every question or comment on examples and not allow the poorer students have a chance to answer even if they know the answer. I have tried to call on the other students but they are so flustered that the more aggressive students will just blurt out the answers. I have given assignments to every student that are different and had the students report on their findings, but even then I will have some that will prepare and others that simply will not do the assignment. Several of the students will complain that the concept is not in their book so I can't teach it.
