Is extended wait time a way of letting students participate more? Does it help teacher talk less? Does it help the lesson be more student centered one? If we don’t give extra time to students, what would we do to fill this time?

Dear colleagues let me tell you what would we do. We talk. We ask a question and if there is no answer we ask it again in another way or with using different words. We talk more if we don’t give extended time to students. We assume that they didn’t get what we want from them and try to find other better or appropriate way  for their level. 

Even if we don’t try another way of asking, at least we repeat our questions (increasing our voice most of the times: ) ) if they don’t give an answer. We want to be sure that every student hears our question. However, if a student learns that if they ask the question again even the fourth time and we we repeat it, they don’t give attention to our questions. On the other hand, if they know that the question will not be repeated, they pay attention to everything we say and concantrate more in the lesson.

Benefits:

1.      This teaching strategy can be used in all grade levels and all subject areas of education.

2.      It doesn’t need any preparation.

3.      If teacher pre-plans all the possible ways of questioning something, he won’t get nervous trying to create other ways of questioning in the extended wait time.

4.      It encourages students to be more effective questioners.

5.      It creates an increase in the active student participation.

What do you think about "extending wait time" ? I want to learn your ideas and Happy Blogging!