You probably need to get more students to participate if you call on the same few students every day.Make your students feel comfortable in the classroom and around each other.Students will find a teaching method that speaks to them if you switch up your teaching style.Your most shy students will engage with the rest of the class if interactive technology is included.
Step 1: Encourage participation by giving quizzes on mobile devices.
Instead of asking 1 or 2 students to answer questions, give each student the chance to respond.Every student can use mobile devices in the classroom.If students aren't put on the spot to answer in front of the class, they may be more likely to interact.If you don't have enough mobile devices for the class, divide them into groups and have them answer a quiz together.
Step 2: You can create an online message board for the class.
Older students should be given the chance to be part of an online discussion.The class should be given clear expectations about how they should participate if they place documents or images on the board.If you put a new document on the board, tell the class they have 2 days to read it and answer a question about it.They might be required to respond to 2 other students' comments.
Step 3: You can use interactive technology in the classroom.
Add technology and media to students with different learning styles.Do not use programs or devices that use drills.Give students the chance to use technology that allows them to create.Instead of using a tablet to record a drawing or geometry problem, use a program that will allow the student to code or alter the dimensions of their assignment.The technology needs to be age appropriate.If it's too simplistic to offer technology to older students, don't use programs that are too advanced to younger kids.
Step 4: Technology can be used to give feedback to students.
There are options for leaving feedback in most online and mobile applications.You can use these to respond to student discussion or give comments on projects your students are working on.Your students will be more likely to fulfill assignments and participate in classroom dialogue if you leave feedback.If you've assigned an essay to an older class, you should ask the students to load a proposal, outline, and rough draft.Comments will guide the students through the assignment.
Step 5: You can move chairs in the classroom.
Put the chairs in the classroom so that you can easily group or move the students.If you want the students to gather together for a discussion, you should arrange the chairs in a circle or horseshoe shape.If the chairs are attached to the desks, it's a good idea to make small discussion groups.
Step 6: You can learn your students' names.
Before school starts, learn the students' names.During the first week of school, memorize every student's name and get them to learn from each other.Learning names makes the students feel more comfortable in the classroom.Ice breaker games are age appropriate to learn names.Use a seating chart until you memorize their names.There are pictures with names on the school roster.
Step 7: Discuss families and communities with your students.
Learning about your students will show you care about them.They have interests, challenges at school, and beliefs that are important to them.Ask younger students to share family traditions with the class or have high school or college students tell each other their favorite subjects.
Step 8: Tell the families of your students.
If you care enough to stay in touch with the students' families, they are more likely to feel invested in school.Discuss each student's participation in parent teacher conferences with their report cards.Call, email, or send a note to the family if you're worried about a younger student's participation.
Step 9: Ask your students for feedback.
Get their opinions on what is working and what isn't.Ask them how they want to learn and what they find boring.If you want to make improvements in the future, you need to get them to evaluate the activity.Asking students what they want to learn or what topics interest them is a good idea.Although you can't deviate from the curriculum, you might be able to incorporate topics that interest your students so that they stay engaged with the material.
Step 10: Make sure your expectations are clear on the first day.
Students will be expected to participate on a regular basis.Give them clear guidelines on how to participate if part of their grade depends on it.During discussion time, they may have to answer 2 questions.Rules about respecting other students' ideas should be explained.Simple rules may include letting other students finish their comments and not interrupt each other.A portion of a student's grade will come from active participation.
Step 11: Small groups, lectures and discussions should be included.
Several styles of teaching can be used on a regular basis.Some students are more involved in a question and answer session than others.Give students plenty of opportunities to ask you questions in order to get them to participate in the lectures.Ask older students to lead the question and answer sessions.
Step 12: Eye contact can be used to encourage students.
Look around the room and make eye contact with the quieter students instead of standing at the front of the class.They should walk around the room to get to know the rest of the class.Give the students time to think of a response and smile.Leave 5 to 10 seconds before calling on someone.
Step 13: Student responses need to be emphasized.
If the class couldn't hear it, repeat or clarify the student's response.Ask another student to build on the answer if it wasn't as thorough as you wanted.Give each student a credit for their answer."Alyssa mentioned economic problems as a cause for conflict."Can anyone suggest a few social issues that led to the war?
Step 14: Students can ask their own questions.
The students should be asked to answer one another's questions in the classroom.This is a great way to get discussion going and prevent question and answer sessions from turning into lectures.If a student asks you a question, look around the room to see if anyone knows.Try asking another question if they don't.Break the class up into groups and give them a topic to research and teach about.
Step 15: Cold calling should be used during class discussions.
You randomly call on students to answer a question, read aloud, or give their opinion during cold calling.The process can be random if you put students' names on popsicle sticks.You can make students more comfortable by giving them the option of asking a friend for help or passing a single question per week.Set a supportive tone and help students stay comfortable.When students give an incorrect response, offer encouragement and thank the students for their responses.Students might consider "high stakes" when using cold calling, so don't use it.