I have a buddy system in my Medical Billing and Coding class and this allows my students to learn from me as well as each other. Most of my silent students become more comfortable in the class environment with a buddy than they do on their own. Also, if there is a language barrier, the buddy helps them understand assignments which in turn helps with their confidence. I see many of my silent students come out of their shell because of this system.
Hi Martin,
I can see how this is one of your favorite techniques. This really gets the students involved, and it keeps them on their toes.
Patricia
One of my favorite techniques is to use the roll sheet to call upon students during reveiws. One day, I will start at the bottom and work my way up,then the next day, I will start at the top and work down. This gets every student involved equally. Sometimes I will make a game of who I will call on, I will say (as I am rolling my hands like I am about to pitch a baseball) "who shall I call on next" and everyone in class will point to someone else.
Hi Russell,
Small groups generally brings out the best in silent students. You're right small groups allow shy students to develop confidence.
Patricia
By getting them involved in small presentation groups. They will feel more comfortable sitting behind a table with their peers and know that they can meet the challenge of speaking for 5 minutes. It will help them develop confidence and hopefully they will begin to speak up more in class.
Some people have to warm up to the group before speaking out or taking an active role in discussions. I find that asking short answer questions help to get quiet students involved because they do not have to talk alot but do feel as part of the group alittle more each time. Praise and a smile goes along way each time these students speak out in class.
Occassionally i have a student who is silent and won't say a word unless spoken to, and then all I get is a head shake and no verbal reply. When I can get my student alone, I try to find out what the problem is. Often times it has nothing to do with intelligence or wanting to reply to something, but more to a self-esteem issue. What i do in this situation is talk to the student as to why he/she feels that way, and then I make sure I create situations where everyone has to answer to something, and I give positive feedback to all answers from all students so that my silent student does not feel patronized. I also then create class discussions whenever possible, and breaking into smaller groups with a project that everyone has to contribute to. In the past ,I have found this to be an ice breaker, and has allowed my silent student to begin to feel a self-worth and the desire to be a productive member of the class. Barb Jarosch 1-5-2010
Hi Sue,
Generally whenever personal experience is shared the shy student will open up because he or she feels they can relate.
Patricia
Usually the most quiet student in class will open up if the topic has to do with a personal experience. Teaching a class on dental health, the student usually will want to share or ask questions regarding an experience that they have at a dental office or a current dental problem.
This is not something that I have struggled with a lot. But, I like the idea of putting check marks next to their names when I have involved them. I am hoping that will help next quarter. I do a lot of group work when I can and I agree that does help them get more comfortable.
Hi Jeffrey,
I believe that small groups are very effective for shy or silent students. Often, these students are quiet because they lack self-confidence.
Hello Instructor Scales,
I can help silent students by assigning him/her to a small group to complete an assignment. Of course, the entire class would be broken down into groups as well. This usually helps to 'draw out' the student to begin interacting/particating with other students when he/she is quiet or shy.
Hi Jeffrey,
Small groups tend to work really well for shy students.
Patricia
I think there is a couple ways to do this. I think that getting them to work in the smaller groups is one. Getting up in front of everyone can be pretty scarry but the smaller the goups the better. I think as an instructor it is important to build a solid relationship with the students so they feel comfortable asking questions and talking in front of each other.
I try to make them feel more comfortable by greeting every student as they enter the classroom.
some students who do not speak often in class I feel are reflective learners, who typically develop ideas and questions in their minds before speaking; others are shy students who feel uncomfortable speaking in front of groups (at least initially). a method to reduce students anxieties would be by creating an atmosphere in which they feel comfortable “thinking out-loud,” taking intellectual risks, asking questions, and admitting when they do not know something; one of the best ways to do this is to model these behaviors yourself as the instructor.
I like getting the students involved in small group work
get them more involved in class.
I have group activities in my classroom. This allows them to feel more comfortable expressing themselves.
As the course suggests small groups work where each class a different group leader is identified. Also reflection of what was learned in class by taking 5 minutes to write 3 paragraphs then have students verbally express the key points is another way to get silent students to participate.
