This second class began with the focus on ‘Making Thinking Visible’ in the classroom. It is important to create an atmosphere in the classroom in which students listen carefully to both teacher talk and student talk. The type of feedback a teacher gives students is critical. Research has proven that well designed feedback will have a positive impact on learning. Learning about effective feedback is a wise investment for a professional educator.
To check student progress during class time do not ask a student to volunteer, but randomly call on students. If students have to raise their hands and a teacher selects one, frequently the same student/students dominate class discussion. For these students, speed works. But, is it best for the entire class? The students that are quick with raised hands get to talk. At that point in time other students realize they don’t have to say anything and often tune out and do not even listen to the answer. In this scenario, speed is valued over thinking and making sense of what you are trying to teach.
When a teacher calls on a student it is important to stay with a student and ask probing follow up questions no matter what a student says. Teachers need to ask further questions such as: “Why do you think that?” “Tell me how you got that.” “Say more about that.” Any phrase that will get a student to say more about what they are thinking is valuable for all learners. Ask these questions whether the student has answered the question correctly or not. Right or wrong a teacher needs to understand how students are reasoning. Students learn that the ability to communicate and articulate out loud is valuable and their participation is important to the entire class.
Depending on the dialogue at a point in time, a teacher may say, “I am going to get back to you.” Then the teacher will have another student answer the question and ask probing questions, but it is important to get back to the earlier student and check for understanding. If needed a teacher may restate the answer when it appears clarification is needed to insure the class is focused on the right solution. The message to students from a teacher should be, ‘I have high expectations and I will stick with you until you understand.’
One way to help students begin to feel comfortable talking aloud to the entire class is to use Turn ant Talk. When asking a question the students have time to discuss their answer with another student. This allows more students to feel confident when the teacher calls on students in a random order.
Talk is important. Too often a teacher will move on when a student gives a correct answer. It is important to slow down, really slow down. Find out what students are thinking. Have students restate what other students have said. The goal is to have students do the work and learn. Teachers are needed to listen and give clarity to the learning.
