ERIC Number: EJ961229
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1052-4800
EISSN: N/A
"Would Someone Say Something, Please?" Increasing Student Participation in College Classrooms
Kenney, J. L.; Banerjee, P.
Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, v22 n4 p57-81 2011
Research shows that active student participation facilitates learning. However, encouraging undergraduate college students to engage meaningfully in classroom discussion and to respond to questions, especially in larger classes, can often be frustrating for instructors (Weaver & Qi, 2005). Set against a focused review of the literature, the authors of this descriptive "action research" study explored reasons why students may be reluctant to speak up in class. Based on feedback received from student surveys and in-class discussions, they provide their insight-based recommendations for ways to encourage more participation and discourse in college classrooms. The authors also discuss influences of course and program characteristics (focus, content, size), learning and teaching styles and strategies, as well as instructor and student characteristics (gender, age, race/ethnicity) on student participation. (Contains 1 figure and 1 table.)
Descriptors: College Environment, Classroom Communication, Student Motivation, Discussion (Teaching Technique), Student Participation, Action Research, Active Learning, Learner Engagement, Class Size, Teacher Characteristics, Student Characteristics, Gender Differences, Teacher Expectations of Students, Educational Psychology, Teacher Attitudes, Feedback (Response), Teaching Styles, Student Surveys
Miami University. 303 South Patterson Avenue, Oxford, OH 45056. Tel: 513-529-9265; Fax: 513-529-9264; Web site: http://www.muohuo.edu/ject
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Delaware; Pennsylvania
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A