Purpose Statement
The purpose of this
outline is to pinpoint some causes of student reticence and to suggest some
ideas and interventions instructors may wish to try to assist students in
overcoming reticence.
Description of Activity
The list of causes of
student reticence gives suggestions of possible activities instructors might
try to assist their students in overcoming reticence, whether emotional,
cognitive or social-behavioral in origin. These include models, demonstrations,
explanations, case studies, problem solving, task analysis, management and
teaching strategies to convey and use in class. The suggestions also cover
advice, counseling, dialoguing, alternatives, feedback, all of which are
probably best given in an office hour or individually.
Materials Needed
The materials used by
each teacher will vary depending upon which suggestions the instructor wishes
to try. The complete list is available under "Weblinks" below.
Application
The amount of
preparation and time when applying ideas and activities will depend on the
options chosen. Those which involve teaching communication skills, task
analysis, telling stories and role modeling a skill will take a certain amount
of time during class lecture, depending upon how much time each instructor
chooses to give it. If a discussion is appended to the role modeling, more time
will be needed.
Some of the suggestions are best implemented in office hour appointments. Most
of this type of help will require counseling-type skills, "Socratic"
type questioning, and the ability to give effective feedback. Preparation may
be limited to having a good idea of a student's profile, types of errors, or
behavior patterns. Devising a list of questions to model in class, developing a
task analysis/time management checklist, and designing a structure for a point
system will require prior thought and preparation. If one chooses to invite a speaker
to class, arranging schedules will take time.
Please see the "Weblink #1" below for the specific activities and
suggestions. Listed directly below here are a few more urls that may be helpful
as resources:
More urls:
Link 5. Felder's Index of Learning Styles (ILS):
http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSpage.html
Kolb's learning styles.
Link 6. Screening for symptoms of a learning disability:
http://www.west.net/~ger/screening.html
Signs of a learning disability (how students may be affected):
http://www.west.net/~ger/ldtypes5.html
Tips for teaching students with learning disabilities:
http://www.west.net/~ger/teachingld.html
Related Student Services
1. Each SBCC student may
take advantage of six appointments with Health and Wellness Counselors for
personal counseling. When dialoguing with a student whose challenges in
motivation seem to warrant taking advantage of the personal counseling offered,
the teacher may refer the student to SS 170.
2. When analyzing a students' possible cause of errors, it may be a good idea
to refer students with unusual combinations of cognitive strengths with
limitations to DSPS to discuss if testing for a learning disability is
appropriate. DSPS can also advise students and make referrals to other services
and agencies.
3. Students with chronic time management and study skills problems should be
referred to the Learning Resource Center's self-paced modules.
Links/Handouts
this web page was created
on 11/2/99 at 4:25:15 PM
and modified on 3/17/2000 at 2:45:18 PM