Do all students feel comfortable in the classroom environment? Much of English and history classes consist of participation and discussions. Students have to frequently share in front of multiple people, or even the whole class. While this may work well for extroverted students, this aspect of classes can be a struggle for introverted students. It is imperative that classes balance participation so that extroverted and introverted students alike can thrive.
Being introverted is not the same thing as being shy. The accepted definition of an introvert is someone who re-energizes by being alone. Introverts are thought to think by thinking, whereas extroverts think by speaking. However, introverted students bring a lot to the table, such as critical thinking, reflection, creativity, and, above all, good listening skills. The reason introverted students may struggle more than extroverted students with participating in class is not necessarily because they are afraid to. Rather, they may need more time to think, instead of spontaneously coming up with an answer, which is usually hard for introverted students to do.
According to a 2024 Harvard Business Publishing Education study, introverted students are just as passionate about their classes as extroverted students are. When they encounter a participation grade, many introverted students are put off. Being forced to speak on demand is very hard for introverts. Introverted students need more time for reflection before they give a detailed, thorough response, as opposed to extroverts, who can more easily think while responding.
We can address these obstacles for introverted students by not forcing students to share when no one raises their hand — also called "cold calling." That way, even if participation were mandatory, all students — introverted or extroverted — would have a chance to think through their potential answers, before being confident enough to share.
Some argue that discussion and public speaking are essential in college and beyond. They say that any student, introverted or extroverted, must learn to speak spontaneously in front of large groups of people. However, introverts are not specifically bothered by sharing. With more time and preparation, an introvert can speak very meaningfully in front of a crowd.
The bottomline is that classes need to give introverted students more time to think, and participate on their own terms. By shifting our class culture to embrace introverts, we can create more inclusive and engaging lessons. Success in a class should never be defined by how much one has to say, but rather by the thoughtfulness and relevance of one's response. Ultimately, fostering such an environment prepares students for real-world interactions where thoughtful communication is valued.