• Blog
    • Archives
  • Training Materials
    • E-Courses
    • Quote Colouring Pages
    • Mindfulness Colouring
    • Technology Integration
    • Character Education
    • Exit Tickets
  • Teaching Resources
  • Freebies
  • Podcast
    • Podcast Episodes
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Reviews
  Teachers Resource Force

Teachers Resource Force
​The Blog

How to help students overcome the fear of getting the wrong answer

22/8/2016

2 Comments

 
I don't know about you, but I've found that students generally start off their education keen to learn, asking lots of questions and seemingly not too worried about getting things "wrong". Then something happens along the way (most likely teenage hormones and test stress) when fear of getting the answer wrong can paralyze them from sharing their thoughts for fear of "public humiliation" or failure.

At the end of last term I recently had one of my students stay behind after class to tell me that she felt sad because she was getting laughed at for her contributions in all her lessons - she said the students are always careful to do it out of the classroom, away from the teacher's ears... I found this so sad and it really got me thinking: as far as I am concerned, there are no stupid questions or answers in my classroom. I always make an effort to praise any sensible contributions in class whether right or wrong and I'm very quick to act when anyone laughs at someone. Sadly some classes haven't gelled as well as others though and are teasing in secret; it seemed this group was one of them. This is yet another reason why teaching Character Education in secondary schools is so vital.

So it made me wonder, how many times does this actually go on that we as teachers are never aware about?

I came up with an idea to encourage more students to speak up without fear of getting an answer wrong or saying something they later felt was "stupid", and it worked really well! So if you find some of your students are reticent to contribute in class for whatever reason, I have some suggestions that should help encourage them to share without fear and build more of a supportive community in your classroom!
An idea to encourage more of students to speak up without fear of getting an answer wrong or saying something they later felt was
The idea is to eradicate the fear of incorrect answers being "bad".  How do we do that you ask? Well here's a fun idea that you can try in any lesson that will get all your students contributing with confidence!
Picture
Firstly, come up with a range of questions based on the topic you are teaching - try to choose some that can cause a debate or even just questions from a test that are commonly answered incorrectly.

Then you hand every student a scrap piece of paper or a sticky note, and ask them all to write the what they think the answer is to a question. Ensure they keep their answer secret so no one else can see: the privacy factor will play an important role in this activity.

At this point you can collect them all in being sure not to look at who wrote what at this point. The idea is that all answers are anonymous which will give students confidence to really be honest!

Once all answers have been collected in, you can give them a mini activity to do that will take a few minutes. I have a 99 riddles activity which would be a fun and appropriate activity for this time. While they are busy, you can sort the correct answers into a "YES" pile and the incorrect ones in a "NO" pile.
Picture
For your own interest, it would be a good idea to count the number in each pile so you can gauge the class's knowledge on the subject, but once you have done that the "YES" pile can be discarded: it's the other "NO" pile that is the special one! You are now looking for #TheBestNoEver! Sift through the answers and make a new pile that you think has the best wrong answers, share them with the class and open a discussion on them!

Some points to consider:
  • Try to encourage your students to be supportive and not laugh at any of the responses - the idea is to gain an understanding as to why someone would think this answer and to help them out. This really creates a sense of unity and support in the classroom.
  • Explain that this is anonymous and no one has to share of they got the answer wrong or not - make them feel safe.

Some prompt questions you could ask:
  • "Why is this such a great wrong answer?"
  • "Is there any truth to this answer?"
  • "Why do you think someone would come to this conclusion?"
  • "How could we help someone understand this topic better?"

​Once you have discussed a few of the best wrong answers ever, you can ask your students to research and create some resources / study material that highlight common wrong answers to a question and any tips they can offer on helping their peers get it right! 
In doing all of this, your students will not only be able to be honest about answering questions, but you will be able to encourage a supportive atmosphere in encouraging students to help each other out and create study material (whether they got the original question right or wrong is irrelevant!).

So next time you have any students reluctant to answer questions in class, try the #TheBestNoEver activity with them and build that confidence and community in the classroom!

What do you do to encourage students to not fear wrong answers? Let me know in the comments!
Picture
Get exclusive freebies sent to your email!
Picture



2 Comments
Nweze Ayinachiso link
11/3/2019 09:25:14 pm

Very helpful

Reply
Katie
30/5/2019 06:57:24 pm

I'm glad to hear that, thanks for commenting!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    This section will not be visible in live published website. Below are your current settings:


    Current Number Of Columns are = 1

    Expand Posts Area =

    Gap/Space Between Posts = 15px

    Blog Post Style = card

    Use of custom card colors instead of default colors =

    Blog Post Card Background Color = current color

    Blog Post Card Shadow Color = current color

    Blog Post Card Border Color = current color

    Publish the website and visit your blog page to see the results

    Picture
    Growth Mindset Coloring Pennants @resourceforce
    Picture
    Christmas Emoji Dot 2 Dot: multiplication times tables @resourceforce
    Teachers Standards Evidence Binder (UK) @resourceforce
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Teachers Resource Force

    Promote your Page too
    Picture
    Picture

    Middle School Blogger
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Picture

    Archives

    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    RSS Feed

TEACHERS RESOURCE FORCE (www.TRF.one)
© 2013-2022 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

​Privacy Policy   |   FAQs

​🎙️​ SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES 🎙️
  • Blog
    • Archives
  • Training Materials
    • E-Courses
    • Quote Colouring Pages
    • Mindfulness Colouring
    • Technology Integration
    • Character Education
    • Exit Tickets
  • Teaching Resources
  • Freebies
  • Podcast
    • Podcast Episodes
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Reviews