Mayo’s Clinics: Encouraging Student Participation
By Dr. Fred Mayo, CHE, CHT
The more you establish your expectation of participation and help students reach it, the better the learning experience for all.
One of the most challenging aspects of teaching is getting our students involved in class discussion and other class activities. Sometimes, they are shy or reluctant because of fear of not being articulate or making errors; other times their cultural backgrounds limit their willingness to participate in active discussions. They may also be anxious about appearing stupid or afraid they may not understand. Since we know that students who use ideas and discuss them tend to learn and remember them better, this issue of Mayo’s Clinics provides four suggestions about this dimension of teaching.