Equitable Engagement: Supporting the Silent Student

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Session Type: Discussion Programs

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Too often, class discussions, and even supervisions, center around students who are most outgoing and vocal, and professors may overemphasize the value of speaking in class as a sign of engagement. In the vein of pushing students outside their comfort zone, we focus on getting quieter students to speak up and contribute to class discussions. However, this focus may not support the strengths of all students and may not serve to equally push more vocal students out of their comfort zones. This actionable and interactive session will explore alternatives to traditional law school pedagogy designed to facilitate engagement and more equitably support different learning and personality styles. Specific topics addressed may include asset-based pedagogy, collaboration, and metacognitive goal setting. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions, share ideas, and employ some of the techniques during breakout sessions, like brainwriting, small group work, and online tools, like Google Jamboard, that can be used for in-person and remote learning environments. Participants will also receive representative examples of self-assessment tools and a non-exhaustive list of scholarly resources, including among others: The Introverted Lawyer: A Seven Step Journey Toward Authentically Empowered Advocacy by Heidi K. Brown and Creating Space for Silence in Law School Collaborations by A. Rachel Camp.