All my classes tend to be small in general so I have move on to getting to know each student personally. I start the dialog from when they firt enter the class and continue thru out the whole class. I talk to my quiet students about their day, interests and life in general so later in class if it fits in the discussion I refer back to something we discussed to involve them. They seem to be more at ease when called upon since they have aready started sharing before class. Keep in mind that some students just don't like to talk so don't force it. Using stories and ideas they have shared outside of class makes them feel involved and evenually they will feel comfortable to speak up during class.
Hi Dorothy,
It is super on your part to set your students up for success. Everyone wants to succeed. I like how you approach things here. I am sure your students are very comfortable with responding in class.
Patricia
I set aside some time in my class to ask each student one question (mostly case studies) and tell them prior there is no right or wrong answer and if their answer is not quiet in the right track I give them more information to help them piece the answers together. In this way the students feel safe to talk in the classroom. I also prepare questions with several possible answers so that I can get the students to answer it as a team.
I think it is important to split up the class into small groups but do not push to hard to the ones that are quiet and shy. There might be other issues you need to address in private.
Small groups are good, yes; however there are many firsts for these students, and they must know that their voice is important. It is imperative to start a class with a fact finding, fun sort of activity-this will help instructors to learn details about their students, the students to learn something about each other, and to allow all of them to see that you are a human being.
I teach a lab style "hands-on" technology course. My technique for silent students is to engage them one-on-one during the lab portion of the class. I do not require verbal participation in the lecture portion of the class. I have found that most silent students in my class are intimidated by the technology and do not consider themselves "computer literate". I assure them that the point of the course is to increase their comfort in using these machines, not to make them feel "stupid".
Sometimes the silent student isn't silent because they want to be, but because they are shy, or they think slower. Offering additional ways to 'speak' in class is a good way to help silent students become more involved. Having written and oral discussions, live and asynchronous discussions, gives each type of student a chance to 'shine' in their contributions to the class.
I try to help students by having them talk about their own experiences. I also try to control students who try to dominate the coversation. I let the entire class know their views are valued. In this way, students are encouraged to participate.
When involving a silent student, I like to ask questions that don't have a wrong answer. This takes pressure off the student and takes away the fear of looking bad in front of the other students.
I will admit, in my short amount of time as an instructor, I've only dealt with one student who is so very silent both inside and outside of class.
I have been working on building a rapport with her both in class and out on breaks. It seems she is becoming more comfortable in both interacting with me and her surroundings of the classroom.
Hi Ayberk,
I've experienced that silent students do well of course in small groups, but they do even better with one-on-one.
Patricia
I try to engage the student during break with a discussion about something I've noticed they take interest in.
I like to make sure all of my students get to speak. From telling about themselves on the first day to relating something taught in class to someone's everyday life.
One way to get them more involved, is to have group projects and have them be part of a small group.
One reason for that is that the size of the group will not be intimidating for the student to come out of his/her shell. This would be less stressful and will encourage the student to participate.
Another advantage is that the student may be more intimidated by the instructor than other students. Getting the student to work within the group helps with this by putting the other students being directly involved with the shy student and not the instructor.
In my Online classes the weekly Discussion Boards are the way my students speak. Because it is all written even the shy ones seem to find their voice. I have been fortunate to have one or two of the classmates every quarter that love to reply to everyone in the Discussion Board which reinforces all of the students to want to participate. It is when the "outspoken" ones start critiquing other classmate's comments that I draw the line. Then in a personal and private message I explain first I am the teacher and if someone needs to be corrected I can do that. Then I ask them to word their replies as if they were taking to that person face to face and that person was their boss or coworker. I describe the situation as an opportunity to improve their interaction skills they will need in the work place as a Manager some day.
Hi Beth,
Giving students individualized attention normally is magical. They will come out of their shell most of the time.
Patricia
Hi Denise,
It is magical when silent students are placed in a smaller setting. The students really tend to open up more.
Patricia
I agree with this. I have found that if I talk with a student after class or during a break and show in his/her business idea or offer a tip or offer to bring them some information that might help them, they are much more engaged.
I have learn from experience that most student who don't talk alot or tend to be silent are of a silent nature. Which is perfectly fine. What I do, is to find a stepping stone that will get them to talk to me. What works for me is getting them to talk about thier hobbies or thier goals.Once they figure out that I have a genuine interest in them, they start to open up and become more involved in the class.
Getting a quite student to talk in class can be pretty tough so I always tend to put them in a smaller group and they do very well.
