SuppliedParticipation points: a free GPA boost, or an effective incentive to understand the material? Who cares, either way your marks will go up!
There is a direct correlation between raising a hand and a high GPA. Students that contribute to class discussion will find that they have a more thorough understanding of the material and better relationships with their professors, while the participation portion of the grade will earn a beautiful A. So you’d think we’d see a lot more class participation.
Part of this is the transition from high school to university. There’s little incentive to participate in the former. Uninspiring course material plus a room full of judgmental teenagers (which basically is most 100-level courses) doesn’t foster discussion or group learning. But if you are one of the lucky ones who is blessed with a professor willing to hold back and allow the students to have a say, go for it.
With great power comes great responsibility. Don’t be that guy asking philosophical “what if…” questions in a packed lecture hall and don’t be that woman who begins her answer with “as a mother…” and ends with a completely irrelevant point about raising her children. Stay on topic, let others have a say, and don’t get offended or angry if someone disagrees with you. It’s part of the process.
If the professor asks a question that you have an informative response to, don’t just sit there. Too often a question will be asked and the classroom turns to crickets. So put your hand up. It’s that easy. Having a voice is a powerful thing, and university is about learning to use it.
