Invite Them In
With the technique, Invite Them In, you pay close attention to which students are and aren’t contributing in a discussion. If anyone hasn’t said anything, you make a deliberate effort to ask them if they would like to make a contribution.
Why use this technique?
Invite Them In helps address the issue of some students being ‘hidden’ in lessons. Hidden students are those who are present and paying attention, but who aren’t answering questions during interactive teaching, or contributing to whole-class discussions. Often, the reason is because they lack confidence.
As well as helping ensure all students are thinking, this technique can help everyone feel included and that they are as important as every other student in the class.
Notes and tips
If you are struggling to make a mental note of who is contributing to whole-class questioning/discussion and who isn’t, make marks on a seating plan.
Focused reflection
How well do you currently use this technique?
Is it a technique you will focus on developing?
If so, what are the key features you will focus on (things to do, and not do)?