Attended class Some general strategies regarding maintaining class attendance may include: - Arrange seating to promote discussion
At a long seminar table, seat yourself along the side rather than art the head. If it’s feasible, ask students to sit in a semicircle so that they can see one another. If the discussion tends to be dominated by students sitting closest to you, suggest the students change seats. (Sources: Brookfield and Preskill, 2005; Faust and Courtenay, 2002; Jensen et al., 2005) - Encourage students to meet one another
Students are more likely to participate in class if they feel they are among friends. During the first week or two of class, plan some activities that will help students get to know one another. For example: Ask students to introduce themselves and describe their background in the subject (Source: Faust and Courtenay, 2002) - Help students dispel faulty assumptions about class participation
Trosset (2000) identified the following false assumptions that hinder students from participating: - Participation requires advocating a particular position
- Matters should not be discussed if the result is unlikely to be agreement
- Personal experience is the only source of legitimate knowledge
- All knowledge is merely opinion
- People have the right not to be challenged
- No one in the group should experience discomfort.
Source:
Tools for Teaching
Davis, BG, 2009 |