Week 13: Interactive Thoughts

 Based on the articles:

• 10 Benefits of Getting Students to Participate in Classroom Discussions by:
   Maryellen Weimer.
• Increase Student Interaction with "Think-­Pair­-Shares" and "Circle Chats" by: Kristina Robertson.

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There are many benefits of getting students to participate in discussions in the class. One of this is that; it adds interest as they can be paying attention to what his/her classmate is sharing. Maybe, they can think the same or not but always is good to hear an extra opinion, and not the teacher's opinion all the time. Also, students get engages, if we asking them questions that could catch their attention. It is a great idea because we let them think and we motivate them to contribute different ideas to the discussion. Besides, students are provided with teachers feedback. When students participate the teacher can notice if they have understood or not, so that, they can received clarifications. Moreover, participation can be use to control what is happening in class.  When they are sleeping, texting in classes teachers can asking them something, and it will help them to be more attentive to what happens in class. Furthermore, it encourages dialogue among and between students. We can provided an open discussion where everybody can share different comments and say if they agree or not, and explain why. Finally, while participation students develop their speaking skills, as they have to talk with their classmates or teacher, like offering information or asking questions; and it helps them to develop their speaking while doing that.

Besides, Sometimes, when a teacher ask us something we find that we do not know how a word is said in English, or we are hesitating if that word is in the right way to say it or not,  and we do not have the courage to say it because we are ashamed, an we think that our classmates will make fun of us. But, there is a great technique which is called Think-Pair-Share, it allows students time to process their thoughts and increase their interaction, as they can take their time reflecting a question by his own; thinking the words they are going to use in order to express themselves correctly. And after that, they also have the opportunity to discuss with a partner and the class.