How do you get students more engaged in discussion?

test them on it.

I had a TA for a western civ. class and we had the same problem, only a select few would participate. So what he would do is split us up into groups and each group would be responsible for a few questions and we’d have to discuss as a group first then as a class after. We really enjoyed it and more people participated.

I second Krystelyse’s advice. As a relatively shy student, I almost never participate in class discussions, but when the group is brought down to around ten students, I am perfectly comfortable with being an active member, even a leader of the discussion. I’ll go back to my normal laconic self when the class reconvenes, of course, but I will at least have contributed to the general pool of discourse.

Groups work. Also, try to start out each lesson with an icebreaker, something fun that has a low threshold for participation. In a sociology class, almost any demographic question could be tied into a lesson. Ask, “where were you born”, or “what is the longest period that you have lived in one place”, etc. This will also help the class members to get to know each other, which will make all more comfortable.

ask them what you can do to make them more involved, ask the ones who arent involved directly.. question there opinions.

You have to remember that some students will be extroverts and some will be introverts. As long as the students feel that they won’t be ridiculed for their answers, then you should call on some of the quieter ones to see what their opinion is on the topic.

As long as the discussion is lively and fun, and the students feel safe to voice their opinion you’ll find more and more of the introverts will start participating.

The key, as @steelmarket hinted, is to get everyone to hear their voice. Once people do that, they are much more likely to speak up later. His idea of asking a question that everyone has to answer is a good one.

Here’s some other hints. If you ask questions that don’t have a right answer, it opens up the space for more people to talk. They don’t have to be afraid of getting it right or wrong. If you are asking about readings, and they haven’t read it, there is no chance they will talk, unless they are really confident about faking it. You can get around this by asking more general questions, or theoretical questions where it doesn’t take knowledge of the readings to answer.

Another thing that would help, but could be hard to implement, is to arrange the seats in a circle. Everyone can see everyone else, which, on it’s own, allows more people to talk. Also, you are just one member of the group, instead of the “expert” and this helps folks to open up. Finally, you can also just go around the circle, and get everyone’s response to something. Everyone knows when it’s their turn, and can prepare for it. You must also allow them to say only a little bit, or even to pass, but if too many people pass, you might have to stop that practice, at least, occasionally.

If you can’t make a circle, so as much as you can. Make yourself look like you are on their level. Sit down! Let them argue it out amongst themselves. You sit out. These techniques are to empower them. It mean you lose your power, but that is a good thing, managed correctly. There are ways to subtly manage the conversation, nudging it in other directions, defusing conflict by asking them to identify underlying principles for their points of view, etc.

Find a way to make the discussion relate to them. Conversation is always easier when one can relate to what is being discussed.

Also…don’t call on people. If they have nothing to say, you will only embarrass and annoy them, and nothing will be added to the discussion. Just make it known, some time into the discussion, that you would appreciate it if the people who have been talking would hold back a little bit, and if the quite ones would contribute.

some people just talk more than others. Not much you can do about that, except perhaps take turns in talking and simply asking the particular people to say something (maybe give them 2mins to make an opening statement). I usually have notes already prepared for discussions, and would hand out photocopies in that case.

I do not believe that small groups work. Usually, the small group “questions” or “thoughts” are actually the questions or thoughts of one or two students in that group that get drafted into being their voice.

I suggest that you simply call on the students, being sure to eventually get to everyone, and be merciless about it. Students are more likely to speak up if they feel like other people know it’s inevitable.

The attitude becomes “Oh, I don’t want to share, I have to share.” and then they’re more willing to do so because, you know, it’s not like they WANT to do this…

Also, grade them on participation. It encourages everyone to get a word or two in and leaves their participation up to their conscience.

PS: You’re only doing a disservice to the high-anxiety introverts by enabling their fearful reclusiveness. Sooner or later, they’ve got to get used to speaking in front of people, and school’s a harmless environment to learn that skill.