A non-threatening Environment
I think creating a non-threatening environment is VERY important for students. They really have the opportunity to blossom when they feel they will not be made to feel foolish or silly in front of others, when they feel what they have to say is valued, and when they realize we are all in this together.
Jerri, please come back after you have some success with this new technique and share with the group. This is a great forum for sharing newly found skills and gaining insight from others that have tried many things. Some work better than others but the focus is learning new and exciting techniques. Just visit the MaxKnowledge Lounge and you will find that many instructors like yourself have a lot to share.
James Jackson
i am totally excited about the think-pair-share method of getting students involved in answering questions, I have never considered this, but it seems as if it would work wonderfully it makes me want to kind of consider pairing strong and weak students together because of the opportunity for the weaker student to learn from their peer, i am pumped about trying this in my class!!!
Lauren, well stated. The more you can create a safe environment where students feel they can ask anything, you will experience a maximum learning environment. Keep up the great work.
James Jackson
One of the geatest benefits from a non-threatening environment, I believe, is that the students ask questions. Often times students hold back on asking the one question that everyone thinks about, but never asks. When the students feel safe to ask questions it empowers the individual and class to learn which increases their motivation to learn.
Cynthia, can you share some of the techniques you use to create a safe and none threatening environment for your students? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
As instructors we have to provide a none threatening
environment in the classroom, which will enable the students to be themselves, and be able to share topics pertaining to classroom content
If we allow them to maximize the ttime in discussion they will most likely wax eloquently consumming valuable time to achieve theri goals.
Andre, excellent post. The more students can identify with the subject matter the better they understand, retain and can make use of the new knowledge.
James Jackson
Ernestina, nothing wrong with time limits. Tasks in the real world have time limits so you are doing a great job preparing them for realistic expectations.
James Jackson
When students are given opportunities to share topics relative to class content it affords the greater opportunity for others to reflect and learn. When the others ponder personal experiences that have been similar, it heightens their comfort level and security.
As an instructor in a field of study that is very hands on, I try to make sure that every class, even the lecture classes have as much interaction between students and myself as possible. During the days that are lecture / demo I always have points when there is an open discussion about the various topics as we move from item to item. I also try to make sure that I am always drawing lines from past learning to the current learning so that the students can see that there is not as muich new information as it seems, and that they already have done either the same technique or part of the same technique previously. Once they realize this, they can focus more on the new information and not be distracted by fear of not being able to get the concepts down quickly.
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Edward, great technique and fulfills the need to create safe learning environments for your students. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
I also allow my students to share their topics out loud, thy seem to enjoy this type of engagement. Although, I do have to give them a time limit or they can get out of hand.
When I want my students to discuss an issue despite feeling afraid of voicing their opinions, I tell them to take out a piece of paper and write down their answers to the question. They have about ten minutes to do this, and I tell them that they will be sharing their work with the class.
This process lets them compose their thoughts instead of speaking impromptu. Extremely nervous students can resort to reading out loud their written answers. It also prevents each discussion from being dominated by a small number of highly-confident or opinionated students. Finally, like exposure therapy, students who fear speaking their minds gain more confidence when they realize that they weren't harshly judged or humiliated after reading their answers.
Carolyn, great points and well stated. We all want to feel our comments are valued. For many students they are still at that stage where speaking out loud is very scary so the more safe you can make their environment the more you can bring them to a level of comfort and sharing.
James Jackson
I agree with this point.. I allow my students to share, out loud topics relative to class content. I find giving them the opportunity to share areas they are clear and quietly addressing trouble areas gives them a great sense of security.
