Dr. McCoy used to be the sole facilitator of the conversation in our classroom, but as the semester ends the students have taken the reigns. Now, class discussions are partially student run. Throughout the semester we have become comfortable with each other and are better at interpreting and responding to each other’s ideas. We have made great improvement, but there is one thing that I noticed that is bizarre. Most of the class won’t start talking until Dr. McCoy leaves the room. Why are we waiting for our professor to leave?
It all started on one of our first days of group work, Dr. McCoy remained in the classroom and no one spoke up. She decided to sit outside, and her leaving the classroom changed the whole atmosphere. All of us students crawled out of our shells and stepped up. Was it because we felt like we had more freedom?
Now our group work usually starts with Dr. McCoy saying something like, “I’m going to work outside the classroom now, because that seems to work best.” Once Dr. McCoy leaves, new contributors step up to the table that weren’t participating. I wonder why this is.
The start of discussion and facilitating it is the hardest part. I’m sure Dr. McCoy knows the challenges that come with group work and exits the room to give us space. One possible reason we wait to start until she leaves the classroom, is we’re fearful if she hears us start conversation it won’t be good enough. Our group work has been productive and I hope that we become more confident in it.