Teaching in Context: Improving Student Participation

• participation is impacted by the technology of the classroom: chairs that don't move!
• relating personal experience, posing questions, is e-mail too impersonal?
• use a variety of formats, including web, small groups by topic
• bulletin boards to augment class discussion: student led
• stick and carrot? require for grade?
• if the room doesn't work, move!
• variety of teachers
• collaborative groups - what skills are needed?
• meaningful from student point of view
• active practice
• building a framework for learning
• choose presentations that match individual learning styles, give presentations in class
• building relationships
• focus on process
• in class writing to open up discussion
• discussion based on assignments
• use e-mail to comment on labs/ assignments
• have student ask a question about the topic
• we can talk well on things about which we have strong opinions
• level of participation is situational
• provide alternative ways to participate based on student style/comfort level
• group administered/graded quizzes
• how do you judge the quality of participation?
• potential for role-playing
• have students design own projects: present to class with varied media
• get out of the classroom
• don't feel guilty for straying from the proscribed path