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Deep into designing courses from student's perspective with @Bazzaruto over at @beondeck #ODCC1. Here are 10 tried and tested facilitation strategies to boost student participation
1/ Set up expectations 
In pre-session communication let people know that the session will be participatory.
In pre-session communication let people know that the session will be participatory.
2/ Design for participation 
Break up lecture time, switch up activities, build-in time for participation.
Break up lecture time, switch up activities, build-in time for participation.
3/ Get all voices in the room 
Start with an activity that gives every person an opportunity to participate in some way. Introductions in chat, icebreakers, reactions.
Start with an activity that gives every person an opportunity to participate in some way. Introductions in chat, icebreakers, reactions.
4/ Include “participate fully” in group agreements 
Make it explicit. Share why participation is beneficial for everyone at the start.
Make it explicit. Share why participation is beneficial for everyone at the start.
5/ Make it easy 
Give people low-risk ways of participating like polls, reactions, questions in chat, and breakout groups.
Give people low-risk ways of participating like polls, reactions, questions in chat, and breakout groups.
6/ Give people options 
Participation looks different for each person. Give people options. Share verbally or in the chat. With or without camera. Individually or in groups.
Participation looks different for each person. Give people options. Share verbally or in the chat. With or without camera. Individually or in groups.
7/ Read the group’s energy 
If participation dips, it’s likely a signal to switch things up. Try an energizer, throw out a question, organize breakout groups or a short break.
If participation dips, it’s likely a signal to switch things up. Try an energizer, throw out a question, organize breakout groups or a short break.
8/ Give reflection time 
Some participants need time to collect their thoughts before sharing. Ask a question, give people a minute to write down ideas, and then ask for answers.
Some participants need time to collect their thoughts before sharing. Ask a question, give people a minute to write down ideas, and then ask for answers.
9/Increase your own comfort with silence 
Sometimes people need time to think. Resist the urge to jump in too fast.
Sometimes people need time to think. Resist the urge to jump in too fast.
10/ When in doubt, check it out 
If people still aren’t participating, there may be something else going on. Pause the process, share what you are noticing, and ask the group.
If people still aren’t participating, there may be something else going on. Pause the process, share what you are noticing, and ask the group.
If you liked this tweet, check out the latest edition of my weekly newsletter on boosting participation here: https://bit.ly/3a2Onm1 .
