Class Participation
Hey everyone—it has been a very busy summer-whew! In this blog, I want to talk about academic and class participation. In the book I’m blogging, My Freshman Year, as a student, the author realizes much that she had not thought about as an instructor. For instance, she remembered one of her (seemingly sensitive) professors saying that he/she would never use professional jargon in his/her classes because if the students didn’t understand, then they would not ever admit that they didn’t understand. Once she became a student, she completely understood what that professor meant. As a younger student, I know that there was no way I felt comfortable asking an instructor what they meant, especially in a room full of other students. Who wants to be the one to look stupid? I still have times when I feel that way—right now!
The author decides to interview the students to reflect on their lack of class participation, and of course, the answers varied. Some students spoke about being alienated by peers if they participated, the power of the instructor, and lack of interest in the subject being presented. Think back to your freshman year—did you have the confidence to be THE one to speak up when you didn’t understand something? Do you think now at this time in your academic career—yes, I said career (in my opinion, learning is limitless), do you speak up enough when you don’t quite understand something?
Participation has always been a sensitive topic for me because I never did it - not in my freshman year or any other year. My English teacher in high school even responded to this lack of participation from me and other students by offering a "non-participation club." During class discussion, the club would meet in a different room and address the discussion questions in a different way like through writing and small group discussions. Now, this was an innovative way to deal with the non-participators, although there are probably better ways that wouldn't have separated us from the class.
ReplyDeleteBut, WHY didn't I participate? It's weird that I haven't thought that much about WHY. I believe it's because I like to think before I speak (especially with a subject that I don't know very well) and class discussion don't afford the opportunity to think before speaking (maybe they should). When I speak one-on-one with someone, of course I don't think for five minutes before speaking and I do, in fact, often later regret something I said or wish I had said it in a different way. So, saying something that I haven't thought out in front of an entire class always seemed that much worse than in front of only one person. So, I just wouldn't feel comfortable speaking up at all. This is why online classes have been a nice change for me.
Now that I've chaired many meetings, been in charge of many classes as a teacher, and stopped caring as much what others think, I do wonder what I'd be like in a face-to-face class. Have I turned into a participator? Well, I think it would depend on the class size and the situation. Overall, I think I'd speak up more when I don't understand something but probably still not as much as I should. I may still tend to remember my question and wait until class was over to ask the teacher one-on-one.
But, in the name of non-participators everywhere, I have to add that, because of my background in this area, I am very aware and sensitive to those who don't speak up. In my classes, I make sure that no one is overlooked and I make sure I sit down with each student and ask how they're doing personally and how they're doing with their school work. So, I always considered that the main positive to being a non-participator in school. Nonetheless, I'm working on getting better at speaking up!
The need to reflect a while before speaking is characteristic of both introverts and the wise. Both types of people can be wrongly judged as dim-witted by others. I was almost 30 before I decided that I would rather ask a stupid question than act upon a wrong assumption (after having been chastised for mistakes made b/c I didn't ask). Still, although I am now more comfortable with asking publicly for clarification, I sometimes feel 'stupid' doing it. It was a great relief when one day in my meditation class the teacher said she was glad I asked questions, because my questions were usually ones others in the group had but were not willing to ask.
ReplyDeleteIn my freshman year I definitely was not the one to speak up about anything. I also didn't ask any questions if I didn't understand. I think that's why I like the online environment so much because, at least for me, it's more comfortable to participate in.
ReplyDeleteI just this evening stressed to my first-year experience students how important it is to speak up and ask questions. I told them that when I was a freshman, I was too afraid to speak up and ask questions because I was afraid of sounding stupid. I realized that a lot of other students felt the same way, so please speak up and be heard.
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