6 Effective Tips To Boost Confidence And Participation Of Introverted Students

Source: bit.ly/1vvxs4C

Are you a teacher? Then you must have noticed that there are many students in the classroom who refrain from participating in brainstorming sessions. Although you take several steps, but you are still unable to get them to actively participate. However, these students are talented and can greatly contribute to the projects as their written assignments are top-notch. But still they become nervous and anxious when you call out their names. So how can you get introverted students to take part in creative projects? Let’s find out.... 

Source: bit.ly/1DldHOf

Here we have listed some effective ways that will enable you to encourage introverts to participate in brainstorming sessions in your classroom- 

Don’t Allow Extroverts To Dominate 

Although extroverted students help to get the discussion started, but you should not allow loud voices to lead or dominate the session. Encourage every learner to speak out by asking all extrovert learners to share their ideas, then by encouraging introverted students to contribute. As asking directly might not be a good idea, you come up with questions like “Would anybody who has not shared anything yet like to add to the discussion?” 

Make Smaller Groups

 

Introvert students often feel worried in crowded and loud environments. By dividing your students in to smaller groups of introverts or extroverts to can create an environment that is controlled, encouraging and free from distractions. 

Break It In Chunks

 

Introverted students can perform best when your brainstorming sessions of any group size last for only around 10 minutes on an average. If you plan on carrying out extended sessions, make sure you take adequate breaks so that students can get time to recoup. 

Conduct “Brainwriting” Sessions Instead

 

Do you think great ideas can only be presented orally? Instead of conducting brainstorming sessions all the time, ask students in your class to express their ideas for specific projects by writing them down. The simply switch the papers among students so that they can add their own ideas to it. Make sure there is silence in the classroom throughout the session. 

Provide Role Models

 

Introverts like Steve Wozniak and J.K. Rowling, have significantly contributed towards the overall development of our society. You can help introverted students to boost their confidence by telling them about popular role models. You can also offer positive feedback to the ideas they shared to embrace their contribution. 

Don’t Compel Them To Speak Up

 

This is perhaps the most important piece of advice for any educator. Introverted students need to develop certain coping skills as they have to move through this extroverted world. Hence they will be required to take part and share their ideas in larger group settings. Hence you need to help them build confidence through positive reinforcement, instead of criticism. If you force them to contribute, they might feel uncomfortable which will prove to be counterproductive. 

The Bottom Line

 

Students who are introverts are often very creative who think deeply and need to be motivated during brainstorm sessions to enable them to share their innovative ideas. 

What else do you think should be done to encourage introverts? Feel free to share your own ideas and experiences in the comments box below. 

Article Source: bit.ly/1F357mB