(Adapted from Walsh, 2011).
Extended Wait-time
Another strategy teachers can use to boost students’ confidence in participating in the discussion is extended wai-time. Giving students a longer wait-time to think about a question or prompt, not only able to engage a greater number of students participating in the discussion but also engages the longer and complex answer. In addition of its practice, the teacher can also give a clear wait time, for example announcing that students have two minutes to think or jot down any ideas they have regarding the issues or questions (Leading Effective Discussions, 2016). Subsequently, students have the exact same time to recall their memory as well as arrange words into arguments. As all of the students have the same opportunity to get involved in the discussion, the domination of certain fast or high-achiever students can be handled. For the reasons mentioned, teacher is possible to gradually reduce their participation and let the students drive their own discussion. These are the examples adapted from Walsh (2011), where teacher utterances started to lessen as extended wait-time given.
T: =he can . . .
S5: he can say [you]
T: [he can] . . .
S5: he can tell your pin number . . .
T: yeah he can [tell you your pin number ]
S4: but I cannot ehhh call him because ehhh because ehhh the time eh=
T: =the time difference?=
S4: =yes, the time difference=
