COMMENT:
Are you satisfied with your participation in class?
Aside from personal issues (shyness, self consciousness about foreign accent, "I don't want to sound stupid") WHAT WOULD ENCOURAGE YOUR PARTICIPATION?
I am in favor or a free flow of questions and ideas, but maybe I should give you a series of questions (like in today's assignment) to provide a framework and a structured environment.
I am in favor or a free flow of questions and ideas, but maybe I should give you a series of questions (like in today's assignment) to provide a framework and a structured environment.
PROPOSE A METHOD THAT ENCOURAGES EVERYBODY'S PARTICIPATION.
REPLY only after at least 10 students have posted their comments.
I can't possibly be satisfied with my participation because I know I don't participate. This doesn't pertain to only this class, I don't participate in any of my classes, never have and most likely never will. I've always done well in my classes despite not participating in class discussions so I never had a reason to do so. I know it says aside from personal issues, but when it comes down to it I am very shy and talking in front of the class gives me extreme anxiety. Most likely nothing would encourage me to participate unless there was an incentive. What incentive may that be you ask, I will leave that up to your discretion. I've always been better at expressing my thoughts by writing them down rather than vocalizing them. I'm not a very quick thinker, which is also why I don't participate. It usually takes me several minutes to gather my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAs far as a method to encourage everybody's participation goes, I don't think I have one because, as I said, I don't think there's any method a professor could enact that would get me to participate.
I get where you’re coming from when you say ‘everyone’s already said what i’ve wanted/ could’ve said’. i feel like the topic or specific lesson we’re doing is to blame for that though as you could be riled up about some other topic like politics or religion or whatever. So i feel like a debate would be beneficial
DeleteI am not content with my participation because I don't really participate. Just like Nicholas said, I also get anxiety stating my answer sometimes feeling stupid as well. I don't participate much in other classes either unless I know I am completely write about my answer or if there is a debate. I do love debates so maybe that would be a great way to encourage students to participate. It will bring out the passion in everyone's opinions especially those highly opinionated and create a class discussion.
ReplyDeleteI relate to your experience. I think public speaking is terrifying and it's hard for people to conquer their fears.
DeleteWhen it comes to participation in class it's at an all time low as I usually just say something once in class and just stop after that. I'm content with just sitting there and listening to conversations of my classmates. I just find myself never enthralled by the fact I have to participate in order to get a part of my grade.
ReplyDeleteI think in order for more participation to occur, there has to be an idea where people could openly talk about and people could relate to. This allows other people could chime in to each question and they could give their point of view.
Knowing myself, I don't participate in class as thats how I am as a person. It's not really that i'm shy it's more of a choice that I make. I don't participate in almost all my classes and I plan to keep it like that. I learn alot better when another person answers a question. As Nicholas said, I'm better at writing my ideas down and see if it's right or wrong based on what people say. A way to have more people participate is ask a question where people could relate to or share their opinions. It's impossible to have 100 percent of the class to participate because you can't force a person to speak since everyone is different. The most you can do as a professor is ask a question that people can relate to (As I said before) and motivate people to speak
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point. I only participate when I really know the topic or I am related to it. When professors ask about things I don't know, I often keep quiet and listen to people speak. And I also agree that it's impossible to force people to answer things they don't know because it will embarrass them in front of their classmates.
DeleteI am happy with my participation in class, I feel I participate a good amount. I like participating in class because the discussions just help the time of class pass and I always want my classes to go fast. I don't know about other people thats there preference but, public speaking is one of the most common fears and can be very intense for some people so I understand why some people do not participate.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to suggest some type of incentive to participate in class because there will always be some people who will never speak no matter what. I do not know what tactics could be used to create discussion amongst everyone, maybe group activities or candy. Candy is always nice you know? Preferably sour patch in my opinion..
Joseph-
DeleteYour post had me cracking up. I believe you're a great public speaker just by your discussions and input you contribute in class.
Also... who doesn't love sour patch.
I am not satisfied with my participation in class. I relate to Nicholas and Adriana because I get social anxiety and it is hard for me to speak in class. I still do and it might not seem like I have an issue with it, but I really try every class to conquer my fears and comment at least once. However, it is still hard and sometimes I can't even get myself to comment at least once. I try my best to put my best effort into my assignments and let my work and participation reflect through that medium.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is anything you can do to get more people to participate. When you said that you wanted to give more quizzes because people weren't participating, I think that it wouldn't change anything and you would be giving quizzes every class because there will always be a population of people in your class who won't want to speak.
I guess I'll say that I'm not satisfied with my participation. I mainly just sit there and listen to the opinions and ideas of my classmates which is fine with me because I rarely have my own opinions on specific topics spoken about in class, and if I do most likely someone else who does participate expresses our like opinion well enough where I wouldn't have to say anything.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know what would encourage someone to want to participate, everyone is encouraged by different things. I guess, if it were an interesting topic where no one would be wrong, such as there is no wrong answer just different opinions, maybe then more people would feel free to voice their opinions or thoughts on that topic. I wouldn't know for sure, sometimes some people just can't be motivated.
I agree with your opinion. I too sometimes would rather listen to other people’s opinion. The subject matter also has an impact on participation. As you stated everyone is encouraged by different things but I think that many people care about their grade so if there is an incentive, participation can increase.
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ReplyDeleteRegarding my participation, I am semi-satisfied. I try to raise my hand at least once every class but I am not always in the mood every time. If it would boost my grade, I would definitely participate more. Personally, I am ok with a free-flow type participation because the series makes me feel like I have to do extra work and research or read something extra. However, I can live with any changes. I think in order to increase participation, there should be an incentive, as others mentioned. It should boost people’s grades and I think that more people would participate.
I believe my participation in class is good, it can always be better. I tend to raise my hand as much as possible and have my voice heard in class because that is where I feel like I shine. I believe that I am a well rounded public speaker and I am not afraid to ask questions or voice my opinion on people's answers as well as your discussions. However my down fall is test taking, never been a good test taker maybe that's why I try to excel in speaking and participation. Students are different, I spoke to many different students at Brooklyn College and they said they rather take a test because they are deathly afraid of public speaking... me? I rather you tell me to talk until I do not have any other words come out of my mouth. We are all different. However if one of you guys are reading my blog, don't be shy, we are are a tribe aren't we?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t say I am satisfied with my participation in class but I am okay with it. I might have only raised my hand once during the course as of now. But I do get picked on by the professor to participate and chime in on what we’re discussing so I’ve spoken more than the average student in the class. As for why I don’t participate it’s simply because I don’t feel like doing so, plus sometimes I do enjoy listening to the professor lecture us. I don’t think I have a good method that encourages everybody’s participation but as an incentive we could be given points on quizzes and blogs comments based on how much we participate.
ReplyDeleteI’m perfectly satisfied with my participation, i like talking and voicing my opinion so others can agree or disagree and give a well thought rebuttal. That’s why i sit in the front, i do overthink about what i want to say and that makes me nervous and shy but honestly that all goes away after you get a solid response by one of your own peers. You don’t feel stupid or the only one that’s thinking like that anymore just confidence in your opinion and a disorder to get to the bottom of your topic. I think a series of topics just a sentence or so each would be fantastic if we all contribute.
ReplyDeleteI feel that I can participate more, I don't have a real reason to why I don't. I often find myself listening and observing the conversation more then participating. I feel if you picked on us instead of giving us the option to have open discussion more people will participate.An when we have open discussion and the topic changes their not always interesting or theirs nothing to really say. I feel the length of the class also plays a role in it I don't always expect for their to be as much engagement because their also needs to be lecture.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I am still not really satisfied with my participation in the classroom. This is really an interesting class. I really like this class, and I have a lot of opinions, ideas in my head but I can't convey all the ideas I want to tell people because language is the biggest barrier for me. If everyone uses Vietnamese to communicate, I am sure that I will speak a lot in class.
ReplyDeleteI am currently taking a communication class. In regular class sessions, people are often not energetically participated. Even my professor got angry when everyone did not want to speak even though they were sitting in a communication class. But when he put up a debate for two groups to debate it. Everyone was very excited and everyone actively stated their views. So I think opening up a debate is an effective method for everyone to participate in the class.
I agree with Thu that this class is interesting and I learn a lot, but because of a language brier I need time to formulate my ideas.
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ReplyDeleteI feel that I need improve my participation. But some times the topics that we discuss in class are new for me so I have nothing add to or I can't express my opinion. At the same time I am glad that this happens because I like listen a new information and
ReplyDeleteI have opportunity to replenish of my knowledge. I think it will be good if we watch some videos together and than share our impressions.
I believe that in this class I do the most learning from the photos and videos posted during on the course homepage. Other than the typical answer of "not sounding stupid" I find that I don't participate in class too often because I do a better job at learning from listening to other peoples ideas then I do from my own, which are often incorrect. I think that I would be more willing to participate in class if I could actually see all of the other students. I think that conducting class in a computer lab when we don't even use the computers is somewhat of a hassle.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't really participate in class, I really do find it interesting what other people think about certain topics. However, if I ever feel the need to say something or ask a question, I will. Also, I think the 3:40pm timing of the class is also something that has an impact on me. My schedule is classes all day on Tuesday and Thursday, plus work and other assignments too so I do get a little tired around that time.
ReplyDeleteI think a way to promote participation is watching films in our class, to really get everyone engaged in it together, as a class, as oppose to at home viewings.
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ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I am not satisfied with my participation in class. I feel like I should be offering more thoughts/ideas during discussions in class. I do make an effort to attend class prepared and listen to the ideas shared by my fellow classmates. However, I feel a sense of anxiety when it comes to speaking in a large group.
ReplyDeleteI believe the discussions we have in class are very informative and often promote a thoughtful discussion. However, I believe the fear of public speaking and anxiety, prevents certain individuals from sharing their thoughts in class.
In efforts to encourage everyone to participate, I would suggest, having small group discussions between classmates. Which would allow everyone to share their personal thoughts in smaller groups, where one person (someone more comfortable with public speaking) from each group can then share with the rest of the class, their groups main ideas and thoughts.
(Although, I do not think these small discussion groups, would necessarily work for every discussion, it may be applied for more thought-provoking concepts)
ReplyDeleteAs a child I have always been very active and talkative in class, but after hitting adulthood I have just become very quiet which also keeps me from being active in any class. I enjoy hearing everyones perspectives in class and their comments. Sometimes I want to answer as well but I feel shy. I also am in school from 9 am so I get very tired by the time im in this class. I believe if we had more speaking activites and group work everyone would be more comfortable with eachother