Hi Wayne,
I too had an instructor in college that assigned each student a number, then called out the numbers for responses to questions and would belittle the wrong answers - humiliating and completely adverse to any measure of effective teaching. I like the idea of guiding the session to the right answer incorporating what a student has responded to even if a bit off the mark, thus building on everyone's input. Thanks for your observations!
Jay Hollowell
ML120 Facilitator
When a student gives an answer during class discussion I make it a point to never announce that the answer is incorrect. I approach incorrect answers as an opportunity to explore other lines of questioning. You have to be careful to guide the answer- question session so the correct answers are stressed. I once attended a training seminar where the trainer responded with a resounding “WRONG†when someone answered a question incorrectly. It only took one time for that to happen when everyone in the class decided to keep their hands down rather than be embarrassed. It’s a lesson I’ve never forgotten and will never do to one of my students.
If I sense the student's lack of response is due to them being uncomfortable in that position, I try to rephrase, or elaborate more. This not only helps the student by giving he/she more information to draw an answer from, but it also gives them time to think without feeling the pressure of being on the spot in silence as everyone waits for the answer.
Thanks Nita! It is having one actively involved in the observation and the solution as opposed to just the perceived problem - one of the number one ways to facilitate buy-in and resolution.
Jay Hollowell
ML120 Facilitator
I try to engage the person in conversation that they feel comfortable in pursuing or have a strong command of: "Tell us more about how you handled that situation...."
Great strategies, Jeffrey! Having other students expand on the answer too facilitates engagement and active learning, and the rephrasing and paraphrasing you do are recognized as powerful communication tools.
Thanks for your comments!
Jay Hollowell
ML120 Facilitator
If a student gives an inacurate or incomplete answer, I usually ask the rest of the class to expand on the question untill I recieve the information I need them to understand. I then rephrase the question and paraphrase the answer in a very clear maner so as ensure understanding of the material be discussed. Sometimes I see body language suggesting that they don't know or are ill prepared so I redirect the question to someone else so I don't embarus the individual. This could lead to the student loosing interest and becomming disinterested in the course or school in general.
Hi Marian, thanks for your example! This is a powerful use of the rephrasing technique - plus, by creating other similar scenarios, it gives the student the opportunity to see the situation differently and critically think through the solution.
If the student did not give the correct answer the first time or could not come up with even a guess,often I will rephrase the question with different words or a different scenario which will require the same answer.
I agree with you, sharing personal experiences with the students allows them to believe in what you are trying to explain to them.
I try to engage them and call on the students by name or in groups in an unthreatening way, such as giving the students a real life scenario that I may have encountered in my personal life that allows them to feel comfortable and not afraid to answer even if they are usure of the correct answer
When an instructor asks a question he/she should wait for a few minutes so that the student who is called upon can collect his/her thoughts before giving a reply.if that particular student is hesitant in answering or did not give the correct answer,the instructor can involve the other classmates to help that student.
I sometimes ask the student to give me an example, or restate what I said in their own words. That way I can assess if they understand, or are just agreeing because they are embarrassed.
