19. Encouraging Undergraduate Class Participation: A Student Perspective

Abstract

Undergraduate classes typically involve a professor lecturing to 100 or more students. Too often, this results in minimal opportunities for student participation. Positive reinforcement was used to promote student participation (i.e., defined as relevant comments or questions) in a second-year psychology class (N = 97). Class participation was measured for five weeks in two 80-minute lectures per week. Baseline was collected in two lectures. In the unaware phase for two lectures, paper tickets were given without explanation to students who participated. Students were then informed that tickets were given for class participation, and would be entered into a draw for gift certificates. Data were collected for four lectures in this informed condition. Final baseline consisted of two lectures with no tickets distributed. Student attendance was recorded. Frequency of instructor questions remained relatively consistent. Class participation rose from 38 relevant comments and questions per week during initial baseline, to 47 during the unaware phase, 52.5 during the informed phase, and 60 for final baseline. Positive reinforcement was associated with increased class participation overall, but with little change for students with high initial participation. Students said they enjoyed and benefited from the class participation activity.