<p>Have any of you taken a class where it's discussion based, or the teacher asks a question, and you really enjoy the class and want to interact, and talk about the subject, but NO ONE ELSE speaks up? Because other people don't speak, I try to hold myself back from speaking sometimes because I don't want to overpower class discussion, but at the same time other people don't say anything, and it's just akward, and I feel badly for the teacher because no one's saying anything. </p>
<p>Is it better to just be the one person to talk all the time, and answer every question (because no one else will) or is it good that I'm holding myself back?</p>
<p>no, I do talk a lot, I just stop myself sometimes when it feels like I've been the only person talking for the last 20 min, or when the teacher just stops calling on you because they want to hear from other people, but no one else raises their hand... I dunno, its just akward</p>
<p>Chances are the teacher is thankful that you're speaking up. I've taught college courses where you pose a question and get only dead air. It's one of the most frustrating things an instructor can face because the class can only be as good as the students want it to be. I do sometimes try to get others involved when it becomes one-sided, but I'm always thankful for those one or two who aren't afraid to get things going.</p>
<p>if its just one class its just an awkward situation, but if it happens in many classes then maybe you haven't picked a college that's right for you. At some schools students are engaged and intellectually oriented, and at others the same kids would be viewed quite poorly by their fellow students.</p>
<p>thankfully it is just one class, and I'm not looked down upon for it, the others are just super quiet--plus the teacher is pretty famous and talks a lot--maybe some of the other people are intimidated by him--I don't know. I enjoy the class, it's just akward when I'm the only one talking.</p>
<p>Well think of it as them not challenging themselves by allowing themselves to apply their paradigm of thinking in the classroom. You also need to consider that some may want to contribute but their shyness or anxiety disallows them from joining in the discussion. In general, people follow the crowd. And if the crowd isn't talking, they aren't going to talk either. What is ackward about the situation? Are you afraid someone is going to call you out for being too talkative?</p>
<p>equine99, I can totally relate to you. You can't control if other people are going to talk, so it's kind of a weird situation. What you're doing is exactly what I would do. It sucks when no one else wants to talk! I feel ya, good luck!</p>
<p>Yeah, class participation is essential for teachers when they're pondering wether to give you that B+ or A-. Dont feel bad you're getting the most out of your class!</p>
<p>One thing to remember tho is making sure that you are adding value to the conversation and not rambling and going off in tangents that have nothing todo with the subject.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know exactly what you're talking about! I used to be one of those people that don't participate at all but this year the english professor always asks these questions and nobody answers her so it's just silent and awkward. I participate in class a lot now because: A) I feel bad for the teacher that nobody answers her B) It makes the class go by faster when there isn't as much awkward silence and C) I realized its not that big a deal to voice my opinions in class and I don't get nervous anymore</p>
<p>Don't worry about talking too much, I'm sure the teacher is probably actually happy that you are answering her/his questions instead of just ignoring them.</p>
<p>But what about if you talk and you sound stupid. I think that's the problem I'm having. I participate in the class discussion but the way I phrase things, I don't really get my ideas across. I just end up getting people confused. Should I just stop talking because I don't make sense or should I continue sounding like an idiot. I've been trying to fix my speech so that I can communicate more effectively.</p>
<p>Are you sitting in the front of the class, near the prof? Sometimes that makes it seem to the rest as if you are having a private conversation and it closes off the rest of the class. Try sitting in the rear. That invites more involvement from others, since the prof is looking over them to you, and they are looking from you to the prof and seeing both of your faces, rather than the prof and the back of your head.</p>