Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education

 

Date of this Version

2010

Document Type

Article

Citation

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development (2010) 28

doi: 10.3998/tia.17063888.0028.017

Comments

License: CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

One of the challenges in discussion facilitation is creating a climate that allows multiple voices to be heard. Although the practice of calling on students whose hands are not raised has been used to engage the entire class in discussions, many believe that cold calling sabotages the communication climate and makes students extremely uncomfortable. This study examines the impact of cold calling on student comfort and communication climate. The results suggest that when instructors choose to cold-call, they must create a supportive communication climate to ensure student comfort. This study challenges the assumption that cold calling makes students uncomfortable.

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