Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Go Back                 Case Posted on February 21, 2019 6:15 pm Add to Favorites upyWyH Reps: 201 Team participation I teach an afterschool STEAM program which requires team participation. This class gives the students a lot of freedom, however, I have two students in one group that rarely participate. Most of the time the two students are meowing to each other and pretending to be cats. I can get them to participate when I assign them a task that interests them, but this is usually a task I would consider as busy work. I would really like them to get the most out of the group task that I present them with and not just do busy work. How can I get them to participate more and not be a distraction to others?                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.                 Solution 1 Posted February 22, 2019 6:45 pm Cali Pohlman Reps: 201 This is always a tough task to take on. Often times I find that when students don’t want to participate, nothing will get in their way of slacking off or ignoring their work. Its almost like they have their mind made up about not doing their work. It definitely helps when the activity has components that interest the student such as a topic, hobby, etc. When you give them activities that interest them, and they seem like “busy work” activities, I understand how that can feel frustrating to you. Try developing lessons and activities that include their interests but also focus on the content you’re introducing to all the other students. Find relevant media that may engage students. Or, you could try something as simple as verbal praise? “Wow, Johnny is doing an AMAZING job working his way through this activity!” Maybe the verbal praise will give the student the “attention” its seems like they’re craving while also getting them involved in the work. Votes: +27 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Joseph Scharfschwerdt Reps: 103 I love this solution! Finding relevant media that is important to the students could potentially make them more active and present in the classroom.   Posted on: February 25, 2019 12:35 am ugyqyd Reps: 203 I agree   Posted on: October 13, 2019 8:05 pm TePeTe Reps: 200 I love this response.   Posted on: October 19, 2020 2:59 am Add a Comment                 Solution 2 Posted February 23, 2019 4:08 pm dymaDa Reps: 205 I would recommend separating the students and putting them in two different teams. This may be able to help minimize distractions and help increase their participation. I would also recommend that you get to know your student's interests and help tie their interests together with the lessons you are teaching. Votes: +11 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 3 Posted February 24, 2019 8:41 pm Jean J Reps: 200 I would say to place each of them in separate groups so that they can be away from one another and also be able to have help from other group members. They may be able to focus better away from each other. Votes: +5 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution TePeTe Reps: 200 I agree with your solution.   Posted on: October 19, 2020 2:59 am Add a Comment                 Solution 4 Posted February 23, 2019 5:15 pm XuNaWa Reps: 202 Give them kinesthetic teaching opportunities or see if you can provide them with enrichment opportunities. The content may not be challenging enough. Votes: +4 / -2 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 5 Posted February 24, 2019 2:32 pm tuSuXy Reps: 100 To make the students less distracted, make them work alone and on other sides of the class. Votes: +2 / -8 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 6 Posted February 26, 2019 3:26 am ReLeve Reps: 201 I agree with others who suggest separating them, however sometimes even that helps. I would pull them aside before class and tell them explicitly that if they start that behavior up without participating then there will be a consequence. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 7 Posted October 9, 2019 3:07 pm Haley Kennedy Reps: 227 I learned in a previous class that before group work or team participation can occur the teacher needs to explain what team work is. This way the students know what it means to be in a group/team and what is expected of them. It sounds silly but some students may have never worked in groups before. This needs to be taken into consideration that maybe they do not know how to work with others. I would start by explaining what team work is, why it is important, what the benefits are, and why we all must participate. I would mention that the group relies on all its members to get a good grade. Therefore, everyone must participate. I would follow up by saying if a member is not showing and using good team work skills then they will have to complete the work by themselves. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 8 Posted October 10, 2019 5:35 pm hymagy Reps: 201 At the end of the project I would have the group fill out a participating reflection about themselves and the group to keep all the students accountable. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 9 Posted February 25, 2019 12:31 am aXugyq Reps: 206 Votes: +1 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 10 Posted February 25, 2019 12:31 am aXugyq Reps: 206 Votes: +1 / -2 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 11 Posted October 13, 2019 5:17 am aQamen Reps: 100 The teacher might want to try and give the students a chance to correct their first. One strategy is to discuss with both students what their roles are in the project and be sure students have full clarity on their responsibility and the task at hand. If students are confused about what they should be doing this can cause their unfocused behavior. After the teacher is sure there is no mistake in communication there could be a warning and an explanation of the consequences. If these strategies do not work they should be separated in to different groups. If they still refuse to participate let the student know the parent/guardian will be notified of their behavior. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 12 Posted October 19, 2020 2:58 am TePeTe Reps: 200 Try separating them and putting them into different groups. It might help with the distraction of being together. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 13 Posted February 24, 2023 9:48 pm nySyne Reps: 200 Split up group work into "roles" that each student is assigned. Make sure these students know what their role in the group is. Also let them know that group work will be graded individually. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.