(no subject)

[onefixedstar]

I need more ideas for encouraging interaction in my tutorials. This term, unlike last year, the students are receiving participation marks and so actually show up. However, as the tutorial is held at 8:00 at night following a two hour lecture, they're usually pretty tired when they get there and don't want to do much more than sit and write stuff down. Monday night's group tried hard--there are a few keeners in there--but last night's group was much quieter. I have to find some way to motivate them to speak up, or at least to occupy the time without lecturing, hopefully teaching them a few critical thinking skills along the way.

Comments

[a-just-society.livejournal.com]

A thought for you - everyone has to say "something" to get their weekly participation points - it can be a comment, an observation, a pointed question, anything. Depending on how the tutorial is structured, you could try to assign weekly tutorial leaders among the class, whose job it is to run the discussions, and come up with questions and comments - but that can sometime lead to everyone else flaking out on those weeks.

[onefixedstar.livejournal.com]

Interesting idea. The tutorials are structured pretty much any way I want (as long as I don't lecture), but with thirty-five students, I think they'd find being a tutorial leader a bit intimidating. Maybe I can work out a variation on that, though. Make them responsible for kicking off the discussion or something.

Games

[sunir.livejournal.com]

Play a little structured game. Have a focus question for each tutorial. Have students brainstorm privately for five minutes on answers on paper. Then go around and ask each student for an answer that hasn't been said already. It will break the ice. Shy students may find it easier to think on paper.

Re: Games

[onefixedstar.livejournal.com]

Thanks!