You can create more group work. Also involve lots of student involvement into the teaching techniques, the student will learn to participate more.
I attempt to involve all students. Sometimes I can tell they want to say something based upon the look on their face, so I will ask them to share. I also make sure that the over talkative students do not interrupt them. I always provide positive feedback for participation.
Sara Donevant
Hi Jay,
It really does seem like the more you force silent students to participate, the more comfortable they become.
Patricia
By calling on them more and putting them in small discussion groups where they may feel more comfortable sharing their ideas.
Reminding students that no question is "stupid" helps.
The first thing you have to get clear is that you WILL engage students. Sometimes if you add a little humor to a silent student they get more relaxed to actually make an response.
Once I called on a silent student and when he didn't respond, I gave the answer like he had actually responded, it loosened the class and the student realized that there was less pressure to respond
Break them out into smaller groups, take the time to be sure their engaging and offering ideas, giving them praise (without embarassment) for a good idea.
I tend to resort to group in-class assignments and tasks. In that process, I tend to rotate around and visit each of the groups, and in that context, make efferts to help the silent student become engaged. If all else fails, I will meet with the student individually just to get him to talk about being quiet or non-participatory, assess whehter tey are concerened about their quietness, and solicit any suggestions he/she may have to help me help him/her become more engaged.
I too struggle with this. I try to instill them with encouragment, but still when called upon...you get and "I don't know" I can usually pull the answer out of them, but it's literally like pulling teeth!
I agree! I have a student who is very quiet, but is always on time, works hard, and does very well. At first I was concerned as to why he was so silent, but I've come to realize that it is just his personality. There isn't anything "wrong" with him, he's just a little shy.
Hi Lauraine,
You're right! Silent students most of the time have a lot to offer. Trying giving them a key role while in groups small or large.
Patricia
You can help students get involved in class by giving them a reason to engage. Assign them to a group which encourages them to include their verbal opinion. Many times students open up when they feel that what they have to say is vital or at least is apart of the class.
Hi Detria,
Super ideas! I am just a little more demanding. Instead of asking Sally, I say to Sally, "I need you to be the time keeper for this group exercise." This tactic works well as well.
Patricia
First by assigning certain tasks to them. For example: "Silent Student Sally, would you be the time keeper in this group exercise?" or "will you volunteer to represent your group when you make your presentation?"
I also encourage students to be a little more confident. I had a student who always had the right answer but was to shy to say it or mumbled it so low that it was barely audible. I would say, "I think I hear the right answer but I can't tell who said it?" I would also write encouraging things on her tests and assignments, to encourage her.
When I was a student, I wasn't shy, I just didn't like to talk in class(I felt it was wasting time, you know the saying-Some people just talk to hear themseves speak). Sometimes, I just wanted the professor to lecture and move on, get out of class. I am just a very get-to-the-point kind of person.
Gently greet them when you see them, create a positive environment, when the student communicates at all, make sure the response is encouraging and positive. Encourage small group work or small study groups.
Hi Cathleen,
Shy students tend to work a lot better in a smaller setting. When I know I have silent students in class, I try to make it a point to have smaller groups.
Patricia
I have had to deal with this in my grants class. Luckily, the class was structured with small group projects. This gave my more quiet, shy students an opportunity to open up and share ideas in smaller groups.
I like to assign small groups. This is a good way to drawl a response from students that wouldn't normally participate.
I will ask them more than a yes or no question.
