Jeffrey Schillinger

Martin ,

Thanks. Many times faculty members avoid calling on the quiet students under the mistaken impression that they are being kind. It is much better to engage quiet students in the way you describe here.

Jeffrey Schillinger

Jeffrey Schillinger

Jo Ann,

Some folks are just quiet, though we cannot allow them to disengage in class because there are very few fields that do not require folks to work together. Dyads and triads usually help, but not always.

Jeffrey Schillinger

Jo Ann Derr

I have had a quiet student in my last semester that I just could not bring around, even with working in dyads and tryads. She just would not participate in any class discussion or reading assignments. Although I see this student in the halls now, and find her quite outgoing and engaging. All her work she handed in was of good quality and grades.

Carol Kibby

I also have a quiet student. I know this student has difficulty because English is not her native language so I try to find time each class to one on one ask her if she has questions and go over what we are working on without the others involved. This has really seemed to open her up and she seems to appreciate the extra help. I believe this student will do well in the dental field and has a great future as many offices in our area need bilingual help.

Martin Keefer CHEP

I find by asking the quiet student question's that you know they can probablt answer will help them come out of their shell and strt to participate more in future class discussions.

Lori East

For me I too find it important to reach out to my quiet students. The field we are in is directly related with patient care. I can teach them all the skills but if they don't open up and speak up. They will not succeed in our field. So for me it goes beyond knowing the material.

Jeffrey Schillinger

Diane,

Quiet students sometimes get run over when they do try to participate. It is important to make sure you give them a chance to respond in a safe environment.

Jeffrey Schillinger

Diane Heavin

As a quiet student in school, I felt that when teachers had activities that made me feel comfortable, I would be more motivated to participate. It is important that we meet the needs of all of our students and provide activities that reach all learning styles.

Clive Horwood CHEP

I always try to take some time and talk to them to find out what the particulars are on an individual basis.The quiet students always pose the most question.I agree.

Clive Horwood CHEP

I always try to take some time and talk to them to find out what the particulars are on an individual basis.The quiet students always pose the most question.I agree.

Clive Horwood CHEP

I always try to take some time and talk to them to find out what the particulars are on an individual basis.The quiet students always pose the most question.I agree.

Bill Lynch

Quiet students can often be deceptive. I've had quiet students who excel in our program (they seem to understand that their words have weight, and they are selective with sharing aloud) and others who are introverted but can be encouraged to feel comfortable enough to "come out of their shell". For quiet students, I tend to watch them (without obviously watching them) for that one clue into who they are (ex-doodles on a notebook, a certain band t-shirt) once you can make that connection and let them know on their terms that you understand more about them, often they start to perk up and can become real success stories.

Susan Lemanski

I usually have a diverse student base and they tend to develop their own cliques quite fast. I have my students participate in groups that I pick for them, I make sure that students who normally never talk to each other are paired up and they will have to work things out... this helps the quiet students as well as I will have them be the "team leader" and the ones to stand up and discuss the goings-on in the group

Mark Sanzotta

Class participation is important from every individual in the class. Quiet ones are simply in need of more coaching and usually encouragement. Finding out that the classroom is a safe place where the wrong answer has minimal consequence would allow these students to feel empowered to take risks and speak up!

Jeffrey Schillinger

Thanks, Gerald.

Students choose to be quiet for a number of reasons. Some just do not like to speak in class, even though they know the answers and are engaged in what is going on. We still need to find ways to involve these students and draw them out without making them too uncomfortable. Small groups projects, in dyads or triads are usually effective.

Some students are quiet becasue they are not engaged or feel that they are so far from understanding that they do not even know what to ask. What you describe above is a good way to work with them.

Gerald Chmielewski CHEP

I have noticed also that some of the quiet ones are in need of more help. i will usually sit down with them one on one as the rest of the class is doing there own. This seems to help them to open up to me more quickly.

Jeffrey Schillinger

Thanks, Melissa.

What are some specific things you do to find out what truely interests individual students?

Melissa Opheim

Take advantage of the technology that is available with your course materials. Many publishers now provide discussion threads you can incorporate in your courses. This allows the students who may be apprehensive in class room discussions to be involved.

Also, find out what interests those students and build on that. Make a comfort zone for that student will assist in having that student make steps to participate in class or in a group project.

Jeffrey Schillinger

Thanks for sharing this, Kimberly.

Getting students to work together in dyads, triads and other small groups is a great way to build community in a classroom. A sence of community usually leads to good academic performance and higher retention.