Anyone who has been in my atmosphere for more than a few seconds understands, that in the right mood, I am a talker. I am a communicator. In fact, I am an over-communicator. And I have been a talker/communicator since my earliest days.
Most people are extremely patient of this trait of mine. One group who was less patient was my teachers.
I spent many classes standing outside the closed door of the classroom in which I should have been learning.
Not that I theorized about it at the time, but in retrospect, I promise, I was not trying to be a troublemaker.
I see/hear things and I need to comment on them. I am also (shutter) a creative. Mix that together and you get someone who is challenged to remain silent for very long.
Well, karma all these decades later has placed me in classrooms with fellow student talkers.
Do I now understand my former teachers’ frustration? Yes.
Do I feel like a hypocrite chastising students for what I did on a regular basis? Yes.
(Below) is an article from the “Provide Education” website suggesting that students talking in class can be beneficial.
10 Reasons Why Pupils Need to Talk in Class
Restrictions due to the pandemic have meant less opportunity for social interaction amongst pupils. Not only can this lead to a loss of confidence but also a lack of consolidation of learning. Lock down, on-line classes, social distancing, bubbles and masks have all hindered the natural discussion and questioning that students would engage in normally through sitting next to others in class or whilst in transit to another lesson and during break. It is only natural for pupils to say, “did you understand that?”, “what did you get for question 6?” and engage more in their own ways of consolidating learning through their peers.
Any type of talking in class is frowned on by some with the assumption that there is a lack of eagerness to learn, the inability to do well in school, or that a child is out to cause trouble.
Punishment sometimes occurs based on these assumptions due to an interference in learning. Too much talking can interfere with learning but is there a happy medium and now more than ever should teachers be re-evaluating talking in class?
Here are 10 benefits of why students should have the opportunity to talk in class:
- Talking about topics in class time, helps students to process their learning, through integration of information. Verbalizing and engaging in concepts out loud has been shown to assist in solidifying learning.
- Talking with other pupils enables them to learn from one another. Sometimes a peer can explain something differently than a teacher can, which enables learning.
- Listening to how a peer thinks about a concept or uses language around a certain topic is beneficial for learners.
- Encouraging students to discuss topics means they are engaging in the practice of using academic language, a vital skill for further academic achievement.
- Talking helps build connections between students and strengthens classroom community; this is needed more than ever.
- Talking to another pupil can provide a safer learning environment for a struggling student who may have lost confidence during lockdown, rather than speaking out loud in front of a teacher or the whole class.
- Strict limitations on talking can cause boredom, resentment, and a strong dislike for school.
- Introduction of a 2-minute break to “say hello to your friends!” and close with “Times up!”, can make students have a better focus for the rest of lesson.
- Limitation of talking can increase tension for many students.
- Students have missed their friends, as humans we naturally seek to make connections with others and school is one of the few places available to children where they can connect with their peers. It’s vital for their well-being.
# # #
Should an educator surrender their classroom to the talkers and wait (in vain) for complete silence to suddenly commence? No.
Should an educator be more understanding as to why the talking is occurring and allow a little more latitude to their students until the proverbial line is crossed (whatever the educator decides this is?) Maybe.
IMHO the days of “sit down, shut up, and memorize things” has outgrown its usefulness in a classroom setting.
But then again, I am a talker, so I guess I sympathize with those who, at the risk of a severe scolding, just must get the words out, no matter the consequences.