Fixing The Fear
In such scenarios, however, the professor can do wonders to accommodate a student's worries. The following are some examples of gestures that I always appreciate as a shy student:
Know the individual.As someone not quite so comfortable with participation, what I've appreciated most is a teacher's constant effort to memorize all of our names (and not only the names of those who speak up). This makes in-class conversation less robotic and more personal, so that individual input, not simply an off-handed comment, is recognized.
Engage outside of class.Teachers