It helps to call on students by name instead of putting a question for anyone to open. You will always have those students who are more outspoken that others, so it is important to have a strategic order in place which will give everyone a chance to speak.
group discussions are a great way to get a shy student engaged. Greating the students before class and making each one of them feel important goes a long way.
I am very big on group discussions. I have success with all of my students getting involved. I also like to play a review game guess what day it is and each student knows they are expected to answer a question in rotation.
We are lucky here to have small classes so the quiet student gets involved when there is a heated topic for discussion and everyone enters a viewpoint.
I like to get to know the student, I make conversation with them and ask what interested them in the class. I will not just let them sit alone I engage them with their classmates ASAP and match them up with compatible work groups that will form a team. Dentistry is team building everyone is responsible for the role they play in an office making it successful. I have students that have graduated come in as gest speakers and tell about their experience in the dental field. By the time the silent student is done with the course they are not shy or silent no more. They will know what will be expected of them in the work place. And are excited about starting their careers.
Hi Jeanne,
Love it! Wow, your class is highly interactive! These type of activities really make you want to participate. I got really energized just from reading your response! Awesome tactics!!!
Patricia Scales
I agree with many that have replied that the expectation starts on day one. Our classes are typically less than 10 students, so everyone needs to participate. I use:
1. Class participation points
2. Opening icebreakers
3. Review games with captains rotating
4. Throw a numbered thumb ball so everyone has to answer a question
5. Draw numbers and they participate in that order
6. Draw for tasks each student will complete
7. Have them write answers on note cards or large post it notes and then each person explains theirs
Some students are more vocal than others, yet even the quiet ones know participation is required.
Hi Kenisha,
Yes, small groups work very well with shy/quiet students. The students really come out of their shell when the group is smaller.
Patricia Scales
Group discussions, assignments, and projects are ways to help silent/quiet students become more involved in class. Being in a small group setting is a little less intimidating for shy students; resulting in the student opening up and talking within the smaller group.
Involve the student in questions and answers time during or at the end of class.
I have also found that putting a silent student in a small group is the best way to get them to open up.
Also, I like to observe my students and when I find that a silent student seems really involved in the current topic I will call on them and ask their general thoughts on the subject. This way there is no right or wrong answer and they should feel like they have something to contribute if it's an interesting subject to them.
By placing silent students into small groups of say three or four persons and by discussing a topic that may be very familiar to them will allow them to contribute to discussion and gradually build their confidence to be able to speak in front of a larger group, and eventually in front of a class.
The best way I have found to get silent students involved in class is to have guided discussions.
I will occasionally call on a silent student by name and ask them what they think or what are your thoughts on the subject. I have had one student approach me at the end of a class and tell me they don't like to talk. My class in currently working on a class project and I have observed that the silent student still does little participation within the small group setting. I don’t want to embarrass them but I also don’t want them to feel left out.
I found that having the class in small groups and managing the groups from the start of the class to the end of each session and that they understand that each group has to participate as well as individual helps everyone to be involved in class and group discussions.
Hi Vanessa,
I agree! Silent students like it better and are more likely to open up when the group is small. Silent students are intimidated by large groups.
Patricia Scales
Breaking the class up into small groups and assigning each person a task may help a slient student get more invloved in class, and help them feel more comfortable working/speaking infront of/ with othes.
I found that on day one, you gather "Your Folck". Get all the students closer in seating. This way all the students are gathered and no one is isolated. All the students feel "included". The communication(s) is enhanced and the silent student is included, breaking their isolation. This(ese) students start to break out of their shell.
I think managing student behavior starts on day one. Using effective relationship-building skills with my students initially, and then continually, may squelch "problem" behavior before I even become aware of it. It may never present itself. However, regarding silent students I recommend making them comfortable. Small talk before class shows I am interested in them as a person. If the student is quiet during class I may be able to bring up a conversation I had with them that helps the class (must be careful not to raise personal details in order to maintain trust). Be positive and build their self-esteem and security for group interaction.
