Forcing participation
A few years ago I was observed, using the old PDAS system, and my observer told me that I should have randomly picked on people. I tried to argue that I don't agree with that. At the time I had GT students and some very timid girls in the class. However, I still stand behind my view for the following reason. When I was a child I hated school, it caused me anxiety. The anxiety stemmed from not wanting attention on me. I knew the answers, they were right, but I didn't want to speak up. In fact, this feeling stuck with me until just the last several years as a teacher. I was afraid and terrified when called on. People don't understand this, but its true. Having grown up this way I understood the students in my class who didn't want to speak and I respected that. They showed me via their assignments and when I would talk to them in small groups, that they understood the objectives well. They just didn't want to speak aloud. Flash forward and I'm preparing some ...