Is participating in class in college a requirement?

Question

- Like if your professor brings up a social issue, do you have to say something in class? I for the most part keep my emotions and opinons to myself. Why do I need to speak in class? My papers, homework, and exams should speak enough.

ozwald8, I am whining

I don't care if my breath will stink from having my mouth shut for so long

Answer 1

Speaking as a college professor who teaches a variety of subjects, I can say that student participation is very important. Simply looking at papers, homeworks, and exams isn't enough.

The college experience isn't purely the installing of knowledge to our students, but also includes developing their way of thinking and interacting with others. Now sometimes, we migh pose retorical questions for you to simply ponder yourself. But other times, we pose things to get your side and reaction.

And in my classes, I often use these things as a way to enhance material. For example, I might bring in a current event from the newspaper that illustrates a concept we're studying or previously covered. Having students discuss various parts of it shows me that they've truly mastered things and can actually apply it.

Active participation in class is an excellent way for us as professors to truly gauge a student's mastery because we can actually see it firsthand. And in the real world, the ability to speak and interact well with others can often lead to success. For example, who gets noticed in business meetings? Those who simply sit quietly or those who participate? It's the ones who actively participate and actually have something relevant to say.

This is all part of the college experience and what makes college truly useful in the end. Just being there and doing everything that's assigned will get you a passing grade, but if you want to be truly successful in life, active participation will get you further.

Some professors actually give students points for active particpation, which means having something relevant to say, rather than just saying anything just to be heard. Others don't give points but do try and get people to speak up.

It's hardest for those students who are naturally shy, or those who come from cultures where you basically sit silently in class. Breaking these people out of their shells to help them become more successful in the end is what we as professors are ther for.

We're ultimately there to provide the essential skills, information, and proper behaviors to help our students become successful out there in the real world. And this is what separates us out from public shool teachers, who are there more to provide you with the basic information needed. We take it to the next level.

And besides, there are those students who aren't good test-takers, but do through their participation show they really do understand the material. To me, that's the most important part--showing me you actually know and can use the material I've presented!

Answer 2

Not really the classes are usually to big to even have a chance to speak up. But if you do acquire it because it puts you in the professors spotlight. This is also just like in high school, the teachers treated the actively participating students nicer than other ones. And you never no you may need to examine the topic again later.

Answer 3

You will have a million professors in college and i guarantee that some will grade on participation and some will not. Some will grade on papers only. Some will grade from tests only. Some will grade from homework only. Some will grade from quizzes only. Some will grade by attendence.

Every professors is different. If you are in a class that grades on participation, you should find a way to gain points in other ways!!

Answer 4

Check your course outline. Professors are required to give you the breakdown of grades at the beginning of the semester. If the grade breakdown shows that a certain percentage of your final greade is based on attendance and participation, or something of that nature, then you should participate.

However, even if there is no such component in your grade breakdown, you should still consider participating. If your professor knows who you are and knows that you take the class seriously, then he or she is more likely to be lenient with your grades.

Answer 5

It depends on the class. Like my chem recitation, I have to participate here and there. Pretty much just come to class. It really depends on the professor. The professor likes to hear new fresh and innovative voices, that may help him with a future lecture, etc

Answer 6

it all depends on your professor. Some just lecture and dont' care if you participate, but for some participation is part of your grade. Syllabus will tell you the rules. so in certain situations u will have to say something or u might loose points for the easiest section.

Answer 7

in case you have been going to have a topic with the dialogue element of the class, then the time to make point out of this became into on the commencing up. which you probably did no longer tell your professor of what you knew could be a topic is your fault. Your professor ought to basically artwork with counsel she had. She could have made allowances had she prevalent and had you take part in another way. with the aid of you no longer giving her this counsel rapidly, then you set up a situation in which you had to do under the different classmates did, and now anticipate to be credited to your lesser events. that's what's bigoted.

Answer 8

you should always say something in your class (every once in awhile). It shows that you are paying attention and know what is going on. My prof. gives out points for people that do participate and that is calculated into our grade at the end of the semester. Just because you are handing in the work does not mean you know what is going on in the classroom.

Answer 9

depends on the class and the professor, some may give you points for talking in class, some might not care

Answer 10

Only if you need to give a speech or presentation, otherwise it's not mandatory. But asking questions will improve your study, do not keep everything to yourself cos sometimes what you think right to yourself might be wrong to the professor.