I would think if training aides can't be provided often enough, its also interesting to bring in real life scenarios or other real life situations where students can discuss how the topic relates to the real world.
Hi Chris,
Some students just will not allow you to get close to them. I try to make small talk with the silent students daily to eastablish a rapport.
Patricia Scales
I will usually start by putting them in small groups to lessen the uncomfortableness that they may feel. Also when you get them to give the groups answer they may not feel embarrassed as quickly because it is not simply their answer. This can create a safer environment for the student to begin to open up.
I like to organize small group projects to engage the silent students to participate.
I like to break students up into small groups for activities. Also like to involve them in larger classroom activities. I have also formed panels of students and this helps the shy student become more involved.
Small group projects and discussions can be quite effective in encouraging students to participate. I agrre that it can help to build rapport among the group and within the class as a whole.
I like the ideas of small discussion groups and even a student panel for helping a silent student. I have one now and I get so little feedback from her that I can only tell if she is learning anything from the exams I give. I will spend more individual time with her as she has been in class several months now and I don't really know much about her life.
Hi Jeff,
Four is my maximum number. The larger the group, the more problems you will have. I have had a lot of luck with only having up to four students in a group
Patricia Scales
I found groups of 4 or more actually have a tougher time,( with concentration) especially if they are friends before hand.
During quiz/test review, I focus on my more silent students to offer to the class their correct answers and the reasoning behind answer.
That is a great idea. It will help to build rapport
Hi Chanelle,
I also like to give shy students some type of leadership role to encourage great participation.
Patricia Scales
Get them into smaller group settings and engage them in the learning process
In many of the courses that I teach I try to have some type of group activity to involve student. one of the game I play is wheel of fortune which is a great game for computers
As an introspective person myself, I tend to want to assess whether active thinking and less talking is a learning style. A silent student is not the same as a shy student. If a student is shy, you can try interacting with them in nonintrusive ways, such as greeting and smiling when they enter the room. You can also get shy students involved by assigning them to small group presentations that involve up to 5 minutes of speaking time for each student on a topic. Thus, the student has support of other group members and is required to speak for a set time limit.
Hi Shantel,
You can really empathize with shy students. I too have found that shy students do a lot better in smaller settings. I have also found out that if you have a rapport with shy students, they really tend to come out of their shell.
Patricia Scales
I am very shy myself so how well I understand them!
Silent students will be much likely to feel comfortable to talk and more involved in the small group setting six or less. The silence of a student may not always be due to shyness but may be due to personal circumstances or a mental or physical conditon may be contributing factors.
In a small group setting a glimpse of empathy or a word of encouragment to participate may melt their guard and cause them to be more likely to share their thoughts and can help them to focus on the topic and become more involved in the group discussion.
As an instructor it will be helpful to inform students at the beginning of the the small group discussion that everyone's imput is valuable. This will remove fear of being wrong and encourage silent students participation.
Hi Susan,
I call on everyone as well on a daily basis to get great class involvement. The shy students are ready because they know that they are not exempt from being called upon.
Patricia Scales
Hi Diane,
Some people are just quiet and will not open up, but try the best that you can to build a relationship with the shy student, by greeting, smiling, and having small talk.
Patricia Scales
Our classes tend to be very small (2-10 students) so it is virtually impossible for a silent person to remain silent and not participate. I make it a point to call on everybody in class when we review and during the lecture as well.
