Love the faces of the teachers in the video when Dylan Wiliams is talking to them about ‘hands up’. I can’t believe how worried they look and apprehensive they are to something as small as using a different method for getting students to answer questions.
It would be interesting to hear what staff think about the concept of ‘hands up’ being detrimental to student learning (for those that don’t engage). I know Ed is having a go at this so it would be interesting to hear his perspective on how he thinks it is helping (or not) in his class.
Part 1
Part 2
I tend to agree with Dylan – same hands every single time. Makes the smart ones improve their sense of motivation and self esteem, but probably does the opposite for everyone else.
I am trialling ‘pop-sticks’ and coloured cups in place of the hands-up idea and I believe it is working to an incredible level. It is an interesting piece you have logged here Nick. Whilst I agree with the kids who knew the answer but weren’t getting picked were getting frustrated, BUT we aren’t one student schools. Consequently I am persisting with the pop sticks and coloured cups format. It is getting students to think all the time because they never quite know when they are going to get chosen to answer and keeps adding to their resevoir of knwoledge – I think…..
I have mixed thoughts – I could understand the frustrations and anxiety of the students who either wanted to respond and did not get the opportunity or who felt ‘dumb’ because they were selected. Randomly selecting people is something I will sometimes do in class but usually when I am seeking an opinion. Random selection does have the benefit of making all students listen in case they are questioned. The most important point for me was to create an culture where it is ok not to know or to be wrong so that students feel comfortable expressing an opinon or suggesting a solution. Nick had a Chinese proverb pinned up in a classroom which I loved “He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.”