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Teaching Tips > Facilitating In-Class Discussions: Working with Quiet Students

Tag Archives: Facilitating In-Class Discussions: Working with Quiet Students

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Incentivize contributing to in-class discussion to reduce the stigma or fear of making in class contributions.

3 / 5 ( 1 vote )

Explain why participating in discussion is important to focus students’ attention on its many benefits and thereby motivate them to increase their participation.

3 / 5 ( 1 vote )

Create a safe classroom environment where you can call on students in a random order to ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute equally.

1 / 5 ( 1 vote )

Ask students to track and report whether or not they have participated to ensure all students participate.

4 / 5 ( 1 vote )

Use in-class writing tasks or small group discussion to prime students for discussion.

3 / 5 ( 1 vote )

Post discussion questions online before class to allow shy and/or introverted students to prepare comments.

1 / 5 ( 1 vote )

Specify how students should indicate they want to speak to make it easier for quiet students to contribute to the discussion.

4 / 5 ( 1 vote )

Post discussion questions online before class or assign reading responses or pre-class quizzes to ensure students come to class prepared and you learn what would be best to focus class discussion on.

1 / 5 ( 1 vote )

Ask students to raise their hands rather than shouting out contributions to enable you to call on students who contribute less often.

1 / 5 ( 2 votes )

Other Resources

  • Pomona College's Teaching and Learning Center
  • Claremont Colleges Center for Teaching and Learning
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