The Importance of Class Participation

We can all remember a time in class when we hoped the teacher or professor wouldn’t call on us. Our
fear of saying the wrong thing and sounding silly in front of our classmates is a strong deterrent from
raising our hands and volunteering to speak in front of others. In fact, when given the choice most
students choose to fly under the radar and avoid the embarrassment of speaking in front of their peers.
This is unfortunate because class participation, while sometimes scary, is necessary for getting the most
out of an education. Participation actively engages students with the subject matter, pushes them to
create concepts, and forces them to show evidence for their claims. Put simply, it makes students work
harder. A college education is expensive. Why not get the most out of it?

Students that regularly participate in class are constantly involved with the material and are more likely
to remember a greater portion of the information. Active class participation also improves critical and
higher level thinking skills. Students who participate in class have studied the material well enough to
introduce new concepts to their peers. This level of thinking goes beyond simple comprehension of text,
and can also improve memory. Participation can also help students learn from each other, increasing
comprehension through cooperation. This can in turn improve relationships between students and
between the student and professor.

Avoiding Class Participation

Despite the many benefits of class participation, the vast majority of students do not regularly
contribute to their classes. There are several reasons why students choose not to participate in class
including class size, time, and course policies. Larger classes, for example, have been shown to increase
public speaking fears, as students struggle with the idea of sharing their ideas in front of a large group of
people. With that in mind, colleges that encourage their faculty to focus on teaching, rather than
research, are more likely to experience higher participation rates, as professors are more engaged with
their students.

Encouraging Class Participation

A professor’s attitude toward his or her students can dramatically affect class participation in one
direction or another. Students are more likely to participate in class if they have a comfortable
relationship with their professor. This means that the professor does not write off the student’s
response or contribution. This also means that the professor is patient with all his or her students,
listens to every response with attention, and provides feedback that is both positive and constructive.
Professors can increase participation by creating a safe and respectful class environment. They can also
improve the situation by learning the names of their students, so that each individual feels that their
opinion is valued.
Course policies drastically affect participation. Studies show a greater level of participation when
students’ contributions were factored into their final grade. In some courses, professors require
participation and include it in every student’s final grade. Participation can mean anything from asking
questions to leading discussions. In other classes, professors simply take mental notes of their students’
involvement and contribution to the subject matter.