Comments on: Calling On Students Randomly

By: First semester: How do I encourage my students to wonder? « Shifting Phases

First semester: How do I encourage my students to wonder? « Shifting Phases — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 06:55:21 +0000

[...] students speaking up in class is at an all-time low. I wonder if this has been influenced by my random cold-calling — they figure I’ll call on them eventually so there’s no sense putting their hand [...]

By: Mylène

Mylène — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:36:40 +0000

Heh. There are times when I don’t use the cards — if I’m asking a question that some people might find uncomfortable answering, like “Did anyone find that harder than they expected? Would you be willing to share your thoughts?”

The other time is when I think someone is zoning out, texting, or whispering with their neighbour. Then I usually ask, “XYZ just made a really great point. ABC, do you think you could restate that in your own words?” The answer, of course, is “no.” So I ask XYZ, “could you help out your colleague and say that again?” Then I really do ask the chatty student to restate in their own words, and thank them for their attention.

By: philosophermouseofthehedge

philosophermouseofthehedge — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 16:08:53 +0000

Cool card idea – like the random shuffling.
Do you still watch their eyes and call without card at times or strictly stick with the process?

By: Mylène

Mylène — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 19:12:12 +0000

Good point about that giant box of business cards. Not as satisfying to shuffle, though…

By: Joss Ives

Joss Ives — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 18:39:28 +0000

Hi Mylene,

I do something similar and use my business cards since I will never make it through my box of 500 evar. I also note on the card the dates that I call on people.