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Should teachers ask pupils to raise their hands in class?
Teachers who encourage whole classes to put their hands up to answer a question, risk leaving quiet children behind, a government study suggests.
The report focuses on "invisible children" who avoid drawing attention to themselves and therefore are reluctant to risk giving an incorrect answer in class.
The research suggests helping these pupils by avoiding asking for children to put their hands up, instead choosing who should answer.
Are you a teacher or parent? What do you think of the report's recommendations? Could a new class room system help to prevent bullying? Would smaller class sizes better cater to individual learning styles?
The report focuses on "invisible children" who avoid drawing attention to themselves and therefore are reluctant to risk giving an incorrect answer in class.
The research suggests helping these pupils by avoiding asking for children to put their hands up, instead choosing who should answer.
Are you a teacher or parent? What do you think of the report's recommendations? Could a new class room system help to prevent bullying? Would smaller class sizes better cater to individual learning styles?
Scroll to see replies
The best teachers I've had do a bit of both, sometimes asking a whole class question and sometimes asking individuals.
Although...I'm pretty shy and quiet and I prefer putting my hand up at a question I know the answer to than being put on the spot by a question specifically directed to me.
And yeah, it's easier to answer in smaller classes. My French class only had six pupils and it was really easy to just say an answer as we were all sitting round one table; there was no need to raise my voice, and it was less intimidating having six pairs of eyes on me than, say, twenty.
Although...I'm pretty shy and quiet and I prefer putting my hand up at a question I know the answer to than being put on the spot by a question specifically directed to me.
And yeah, it's easier to answer in smaller classes. My French class only had six pupils and it was really easy to just say an answer as we were all sitting round one table; there was no need to raise my voice, and it was less intimidating having six pairs of eyes on me than, say, twenty.
Any half decent teacher will spot if someone is trying to hide and will try and draw them out by asking them regardless
It's a tricky one - just because the teacher has asked you for an answer it doesn't mean if you're lacking in
the sentiment behind the report sounds like a good one, but I think most teachers will find it all a bit laughable that they don't already know this
It's a tricky one - just because the teacher has asked you for an answer it doesn't mean if you're lacking in
the sentiment behind the report sounds like a good one, but I think most teachers will find it all a bit laughable that they don't already know this
Sounds like yet more Labour rubbish to me. How else do they expect a child to indicate that they know the answer? Spelling it out on the desk using coloured counters? Semaphore? It's far better to ask children to raise their hands, so that those who want to answer the question can, than to just pick on someone who may not know the answer/may not want to speak in front of people. I really don't believe it has the impact on children's learning that they claim it does. Plus, it's just a fact of life that some children are quieter than others, and in many cases are happy that way (I know, I was/am one). We can't all be the life and soul of the party, and if any political party tries to make every child into that using such daft tactics, then they're going to fail dismally.
I was always told to use "pose, pause, pick" when teaching.
The question is posed to the whole class, there is a pause to allow them all to think about it and then one child is picked (at random if you like, good teachers that I've seen tend to target their questions to individuals) to answer.
This allows the teacher to teach all the pupils, rather than just the ones that are keen and extroverted.
The question is posed to the whole class, there is a pause to allow them all to think about it and then one child is picked (at random if you like, good teachers that I've seen tend to target their questions to individuals) to answer.
This allows the teacher to teach all the pupils, rather than just the ones that are keen and extroverted.
Just because a pupil doesn't put themselves forward to answer a question doesn't mean they aren't learning. Most quiet people I know are like sponges - they might not respond much but they absorb everything. Whether they understand the topic or not should be plain enough from their homework. Therefore I really don't think never putting oneself forward to answer a question adversely affects learning. Plus, have you never seen the rabbit-in-the-headlights look of a child who's just been picked on and really, really didn't want to be? It's horrible.
Do both. Every now and again pick on the quiet ones with an easy-ish question. Not so easy as to be patronising, but easy enough so they know the answer. Perhaps check their homework quickly during lesson. If they copied homework, they deserve to get it wrong 
Point out that they've been quiet, and that's why they were chosen to answer the question. Once they start volunteering answers (make sure they're not bluffing every now and again) don't pick on them. Hopefully by then they'll have the confidence to speak their mind, which might not be important in regurgitating facts in exams, but will help them in later life.
Though I hardly ever put my hand up and I think it worked out okay for me. If a teacher wanted an answer, they'd have to ask me
Point out that they've been quiet, and that's why they were chosen to answer the question. Once they start volunteering answers (make sure they're not bluffing every now and again) don't pick on them. Hopefully by then they'll have the confidence to speak their mind, which might not be important in regurgitating facts in exams, but will help them in later life.
Though I hardly ever put my hand up and I think it worked out okay for me. If a teacher wanted an answer, they'd have to ask me
Reply 7
Yeah obviously so its not chaos with all the brats shouting out. But then yes you need to pick on the quiet ones to make sure they know whats going on.
I must admit sometimes I don't feel all that tempted to put my hand up in lessons, especially if lots of my classmates are particularly outspoken and tend to be the ones to speak etc. But I can't really see a conceivable alternative. Making classes smaller and encouraging more open discussion could work in theory, but with most schools being oversubscribed as it is, I don't really see this working.
I have noticed that those who choose not to put their hands up feel the most uncomfortable when forced to answer a question and it makes perfect sense. I think that children should choose whether or not to answer. As has been said already, the children not answering out loud are still picking up on information.
Reply 10
My brother got scolded constantly for never putting his hand up in class like the others and just staying quiet. Needless to say he kicked all their arses in the exams.
What's the alternative anyway? Get the kids to write their answer on a piece of paper and hold it up? Actually I did that once... didn't go down too well.
And as someone already said, most teachers will ask the people who aren't waving their hands around anyway.
What's the alternative anyway? Get the kids to write their answer on a piece of paper and hold it up? Actually I did that once... didn't go down too well.
And as someone already said, most teachers will ask the people who aren't waving their hands around anyway.
Have Your Say
Teachers who encourage whole classes to put their hands up to answer a question, risk leaving quiet children behind, a government study suggests.
The report focuses on "invisible children" who avoid drawing attention to themselves and therefore are reluctant to risk giving an incorrect answer in class.
The research suggests helping these pupils by avoiding asking for children to put their hands up, instead choosing who should answer.
Are you a teacher or parent? What do you think of the report's recommendations? Could a new class room system help to prevent bullying? Would smaller class sizes better cater to individual learning styles?
The report focuses on "invisible children" who avoid drawing attention to themselves and therefore are reluctant to risk giving an incorrect answer in class.
The research suggests helping these pupils by avoiding asking for children to put their hands up, instead choosing who should answer.
Are you a teacher or parent? What do you think of the report's recommendations? Could a new class room system help to prevent bullying? Would smaller class sizes better cater to individual learning styles?
It took a government study to suggest this?
They could have asked 100 teachers and identified the same problem. This isn't news or discussion, this is simply one of the daily tasks faced by teachers. This is slightly patronising to even ask this question. Of course smaller class sizes would be better - every teacher would say this. Nobody wants to teach a class of 30-40 kids.
Reply 13
most teachers will know the ones who put their hands up and the ones who dont. so they shud just ask a few open to the class and then say (insert name here) do u know what blah blah blah is? to involve the queieter ones or the ones they can tell arent listening.
but homework and exams will tell if people arent understanding.
and basically the key is put ur hand up to an easy question at the beginning and u probably wont get picked on for the rest of the lesson
the worst thing is when a teach says a question and then picks u to answer and u havent been listening and not only do you not know the answer but u went even listening to the question.
but most people in all my classes got on with each other anyways so if u got an answer wrong no one would "bully" you or laugh.
but homework and exams will tell if people arent understanding.
and basically the key is put ur hand up to an easy question at the beginning and u probably wont get picked on for the rest of the lesson
the worst thing is when a teach says a question and then picks u to answer and u havent been listening and not only do you not know the answer but u went even listening to the question.
but most people in all my classes got on with each other anyways so if u got an answer wrong no one would "bully" you or laugh.
^^ agree with above post completely.
I definately think a mixture is the way to go- in our classes we are all encouraged to say our views, discuss them with each other. Then our teachers pick on individuals, but make sure everyone is asked an individual question at some point in the lesson. In that way people have the chance to flourish, to gain confidence and to actually listen and concentrate in class. Everyone has to contribute, but without feeling stupid.
Those who have said smaller classes are better, I disagree. I am one of two people in R.S A level class, and was one out of 3 in French AS level. I hated it because although we didn't have to raise our voice, there was never any great variety and we certainly felt a lot more pressure to answer questions, and to contribute to lessons. We couldn't escape or 'sit back' as it were.
I definately think a mixture is the way to go- in our classes we are all encouraged to say our views, discuss them with each other. Then our teachers pick on individuals, but make sure everyone is asked an individual question at some point in the lesson. In that way people have the chance to flourish, to gain confidence and to actually listen and concentrate in class. Everyone has to contribute, but without feeling stupid.
Those who have said smaller classes are better, I disagree. I am one of two people in R.S A level class, and was one out of 3 in French AS level. I hated it because although we didn't have to raise our voice, there was never any great variety and we certainly felt a lot more pressure to answer questions, and to contribute to lessons. We couldn't escape or 'sit back' as it were.
Cage
Does it matter? This is government interference gone to the ridiculous.
I agree. It should be up to the teacher to decide, after all they know their pupils best and can read different situations better.
I think we are becoming victims of a 'nanny state' as each day goes on.
I mean what could the govt actually do? Make putting your hand up in lessons illegal?
I encourage my children to raise their hands, simply to teach them manners and respect. They should only speak when chosen and they should listen to their peers, taking it in turns to speak.
When asking questions, I tend to choose a mix of children. Those who have raised their hands and who are eager to answer the question, and also the shy children, who know the answers but don't have the confidence to raise their hands.
Edit: I also love the use of individual whiteboards, or numberfans etc - this enables every child in my class to answer independently without having to speak. I can quickly scan the room and see which children have the correct answer.
When asking questions, I tend to choose a mix of children. Those who have raised their hands and who are eager to answer the question, and also the shy children, who know the answers but don't have the confidence to raise their hands.
Edit: I also love the use of individual whiteboards, or numberfans etc - this enables every child in my class to answer independently without having to speak. I can quickly scan the room and see which children have the correct answer.
Miss_W
I encourage my children to raise their hands, simply to teach them manners and respect. They should only speak when chosen and they should listen to their peers, taking it in turns to speak.
When asking questions, I tend to choose a mix of children. Those who have raised their hands and who are eager to answer the question, and also the shy children, who know the answers but don't have the confidence to raise their hands.
Edit: I also love the use of individual whiteboards, or numberfans etc - this enables every child in my class to answer independently without having to speak. I can quickly scan the room and see which children have the correct answer.
When asking questions, I tend to choose a mix of children. Those who have raised their hands and who are eager to answer the question, and also the shy children, who know the answers but don't have the confidence to raise their hands.
Edit: I also love the use of individual whiteboards, or numberfans etc - this enables every child in my class to answer independently without having to speak. I can quickly scan the room and see which children have the correct answer.
Lol my mums a primary school teacher and she likes that technique. So do the children, for some reason being given a marker and board brings a lot of excitement!?
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