Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 314 Unit 4 The Teacher Encouraging Participation What if you ask questions and no one answers? You have probably expe- rienced a class where there was little student participation. There are ways to minimize this possibility (Figure 14.5). Activities that include oral discussions depend on student participation. Most importantly, learners should feel comfortable participating. Teach- ers must create an atmosphere where respecting everyone is a value. That means that neither the teacher nor other students tease or put down anyone for a wrong answer or a different opinion. Questions asked should be appropriate for students’ level of knowledge and experience. Otherwise, few will be willing to venture an answer. Questions must generate interest. That means that they should be appli- cable to learners and varied in type. Questions can encourage students to classify, rank, or sort things. Others might focus on opinions or attitudes. Some questions direct learners to one right answer. Other questions help students explore an appropriate answer for a specific circumstance. Students need time to think before responding. Providing wait time, or a brief period of silence between asking a question and calling on a stu- dent, allows all students to mentally process the question and formulate their replies. Although it may feel awkward at first, this brief period of silence encourages participation and more and better answers. Varying methods of asking for responses keeps students thinking. Some- times, a teacher might randomly call on students for a response. Other times, the same teacher might call on those who volunteer. With encour- agement, students who are more hesitant to speak may be more willing to participate. It is important, however, to remember and respect the fact that various cultures have different traditions regarding asking and answering questions. Encouraging Participation Generate interest with questions Provide time for students to think before responding Vary methods of asking for responses Ask questions appropriate for students’ level of knowledge and experience Create an atmosphere of respect skynesher/E+/Getty Images Figure 14.5 Teachers encourage students to participate in the learning process in a variety of ways.