Shy Students - Recognition
There are some students who are so shy that they won't raise their hand to answer a question even if they know the correct answer. I never call on a student and "put them on the spot" if I think they don't know the right answer but you can often tell from a student's body language, the eye contact and maybe slight smile on their face, that they do know the answer. If I'm convinced that a shy student does know the correct answer to a question, I like to call on them so that they have that moment of "mini-success" and recognition. Sometimes their fellow students recognize the accomplishment with a nice comment or maybe even a round of applause. This might be a little bit embarrassing for the shy student but I think it makes feel like they are now really part of the group.
I think that this is a great idea. It seems that it would be an advantage for the shy student and at the same time add some variety to the class.
Hi Valerie,
This is not unusual at all. Many shy students are more tactile learners so they feel most comfortable when they are using their bodies either with large muscle or small muscle activities. Many of them excel at the psychomotor parts of the course so as you are planning your instruction you can feel comfortable that your tactile learners will really become engaged when you are doing the lab activities.
Gary
My course has a lecture portion and a lab portion where each student must complete tasks individually. I find that most shy students come out of their shell when it is time for the lab portion and I often wonder why this is.
I agree completely, In fact I change the seats weekly so the shy students can become comfortable with the entire classroom. The shy student then becomes comfortable with more then just one person that way.
Hi David,
Good strategy. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Simple in-class hands on allows me to give recognition to the shy students. As they are completing a particuliar task, I will let them know they did a great job, then ask them how would this task be helpful or usable in the industry. It doesn't put them onthe spot, just builds their confidence.
NORMALLY THE SHY STUDENTS WILL STAND OUT IN THE GROUP, I TRY TO INVOLVE THE SHY STUDENTS BY ASKING SMALL QUESTIONS ABOUT A PARTICULAR SUBJECT TO BUILD UP THEIR CONFIDENCE, I FOUND OUT THAT THE REASON THEY ARE SHY IT'S THEIR LACK OF CONFIDENCE THEREFORE BY ASKING THEM EASY QUESTIONS THAT FELL CONFIDENCE THEY KNOW THE ANSWER THEY WILL BE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE.
Hi Eduardo,
The key is to make sure the student is comfortable in the class setting and it sounds like you are doing that with your approach. Once you build their confidence you will see that they start to open up and contribute a lot more to the class discussion.
Gary
I agree.If once you have made the shy student comfortable by strating with a different subject,and working your way to the question.I feel it makes the student feel less under presure to answer.
Hi Nolan,
The key is the establishment of rapport with the students so they feel comfortable sharing with you. It sounds like you work hard at creating this connection so the students are at ease in your class and willing to participate.
Gary
I have found that if you make everyone in the class feel that it is there class, that you dont typically have that problem with the shy students. I have had many shy students and I have found that if they are comfortable with you as the instructor they will talk to you and not think about the class that is all around them.
Hi Paul,
I am sure you are right. When those questions come up let me know and I will try to help out in any way that I can.
Gary
As a new instructor I find that info very helpful. I have a lot of those kind of questions for situations that I'm sure I will run into and will need to know how to handle. Thank you.
Trying to make them feel comfortable seems to make them want open up and answer questions and engage in conversation
I will watch the students and when I notice a shy person, I might go up to that person kid around a moment. Then watch and when the are in the lab
make them included in the group, by making sure they take a turn doing something.
Hi Joanie,
You make a number of very good points about how to include shy students into the class. The key to you discussion is the "mini-success factor". These little successes can build to where the students have established themselves within the course.
Keep up the good work of meeting the needs of all your students.
Gary
I feel the same way i also at times will call on a row of students to answer a quetion not to put a student in the spotlight,sometimes this will help a shy one answer.
