Creating a classroom environment where students are eager to participate can significantly enhance the learning experience. Instead of relying on ambiguous and inconsistent participation-grading requirements, educators should focus on fostering a welcoming and supportive atmosphere that naturally encourages student engagement.
This approach can be particularly effective, as demonstrated in three years of teaching professional military education in the Air Force, where participation was never graded. Instead, an emphasis was placed on having meaningful classroom conversations and ensuring students understood the material.
From both personal experience and numerous research studies, Anna Broadbent shares five essential techniques that can transform a classroom into a nonthreatening and accepting space for all students.
1. Learn Students' Names
Knowing students' names is fundamental to building a community centered on communication and collaboration. Pronouncing names correctly is equally important. This personal touch fosters a sense of mutual respect and belonging. In larger classes, where memorizing every name may be impractical, using nametags and a seating chart can help. This effort to know students' names pays off by increasing their motivation to participate and enhancing the quality of classroom discussions.
2. Get to Know Students Individually
Beyond learning names, connecting with students on a personal level is crucial. Icebreakers at the beginning of the course can help instructors learn about students' interests and values. For larger classes, distributing a questionnaire can achieve similar results. The goal is not to gather comprehensive life stories but to show students that their individual identities are acknowledged and respected. This personal connection can make students feel more comfortable and valued, thereby encouraging greater participation.
3. Implement Purposeful Cold Call and Warm-Call Techniques
Cold calling, when used strategically, can significantly boost voluntary student participation. The key is to ensure that cold calling is not intimidating but rather an integrated part of the class routine. Warm-up techniques can help, such as providing prompts beforehand or allowing a few minutes for students to reflect before answering. Using a hierarchy like Bloom's taxonomy can also help, starting with simpler questions and gradually moving to more complex ones. This method ensures that students are prepared and more willing to engage in discussions.
4. Encourage Self-Reflection and Self-Assessment
Participation should be viewed as a skill to be developed, rather than a fixed aspect of personality. By reframing participation as an improvable skill, students can set personal goals and work towards them. Instead of grading participation on a rigid scale, instructors can assign self-reflection tasks. Students can evaluate their participation in various aspects, such as preparation, teamwork, active listening, critical thinking, and research. Regular self-assessment helps students identify areas for improvement and track their progress over the semester.
5. Acknowledge and Praise Contributions
Positive reinforcement is essential for promoting active participation. Recognizing correct answers and good points with verbal praise provides real-time feedback and encouragement. However, it's equally important to acknowledge and support students even when they make mistakes. Praising their effort to speak up and using their incorrect responses as learning opportunities can boost their confidence and willingness to participate. This supportive approach is crucial, especially when peers might be critical.
Implementing these strategies requires educators to critically examine their current practices and motivations. Participation requirements should not be included merely because "that's how it's always been done." Instead, educators should focus on creating a collaborative environment that naturally encourages student participation. Cold calling should be used thoughtfully to assess understanding, not to catch students off guard.
By removing rigid participation requirements and fostering a supportive environment, educators can help students develop essential communication skills and a genuine interest in classroom discussions. This shift can lead to a more engaging and effective learning experience, where students feel empowered to contribute and grow.
