Calling on Students

When teachers ask their class a question, they most often call upon students who have raised their hands. Sometimes it is useful to call upon students regardless of whether they have raised their hands. This is a simple technique in which all you have to do is ask a question and then call out the name of the student you want to answer it.
This simple technique provides several benefits.

• It allows you to systematically check on students’ understanding.
• Over time, it provides all students with an opportunity to participate, rather than just a small number of students who almost always know the answers and frequently raise their hands.
• It increases the pace of the class since you do not have to wait for volunteers and thrn decide who to call upon.
• It helps to keep students on task since they never know when they will be called upon.
• You can provide poor students with positive experiences and confidence by calling upon them for answers to questions that you are relatively certain they know.