Class Participation

Getting students to participate in class discussions can be challenging. Here are a few suggestions from University of the Sciences (http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/tips/spal.shtml#participate):

1. give students a clue regarding the kind of response that your are expecting
2. give students a minute to write their thoughts before anyone is called upon
3. break students into small groups to discuss the answer, then bring them back to the whole group
4. arrive early to class and chat with students informally (helps them feel more comfortable)
5. use non-verbal means to invite people to participate - sit close to students, make eye contact with them individually, move around the room, or sit in different locations.

Please share your ideas, suggestions, and comments.