Class Participation Rubric Maker
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Why Does Class Participation Matter?
When we think of a classroom, we think of a place where students sit down, listen to someone talk, open their textbooks and start studying. However, a classroom is not just a place to study. It's also a place where young minds learn to think and talk and communicate with their peers. Hence, classroom participation is crucial in every classroom for maximum learning.
The Importance of Class Participation
Class participation is helpful for teachers and students alike. Here are some reasons classroom participation should be encouraged:
It Provides Clarity
Students can listen to their teacher all day long. But it is through the questions they can get clarity on lessons and learn more about the subject matter effectively. The more timely the feedback is, the stronger a student's understanding becomes.
It Increases Focus
When students are asked to participate in class, they become more attentive. Students remain focused so they can answer correctly. This behavior is seen when a teacher asks questions randomly. This focus ultimately helps them grasp the concept better.
It Enhances Learning Experience
Learning takes place when students transform the acquired information into practical knowledge. Solving a math problem on the board, for instance, gives students a chance to apply the method they learned.
It Boosts Confidence
Participating in a familiar environment such as a classroom prepares students gradually to be equally comfortable in unfamiliar environments. This skill boosts students' confidence and becomes more self-reliant with their abilities.
It Provides Feedback For Teachers
During any activity or a simple Q and A session, teachers can gauge students' reactions and answers to understand where students need more clarity. Such discreet feedback aids teachers in tweaking their lesson plan to deliver successful lessons.
How to Get Maximum Class Participation
Despite the myriad reasons to participate in the classroom, students often hesitate or shy away from it. At times, it's because of low confidence. However, sometimes, the hesitation arises due to teasing and criticism from peers. Hence, teachers must ensure their classrooms are safe for students to nurture their skills. Here are some other ways of ensuring maximum class participation:
Start With Close Ended Questions
Reasoning can be challenging. However, a simple yes-or-no question is usually easy to answer for everyone. Such questions can assist in forming a base for more complex ones.
Plan Activities
Students hesitate to answer questions but not when those questions are a part of some activity. Teachers can plan different activities to make students comfortable with participation as it's less intimidating than direct questioning.
Give a Heads Up
Putting a student on the spot can increase nervousness, hindering their ability to answer. Instead of randomly choosing, teachers can always give their students a heads up and intimate the student who they'll be asking. This way, students get time to prepare their answers, making them confident.
Wrap Up!
The importance of class participation is evident: it boosts students' confidence and encourages them to understand a concept better. Participation in the classroom also shows teachers what their students have grasped so far and where they might require more clarity to plan accordingly. Classroom participation is only possible when there's a safe, bully-free environment. So, educators must ensure that to allow students to learn without hindrance.