The Skillful Teacher

participate even more than do instructors in face-to-face discussions.
However, this emphasis on teacher participation raises the danger
of too much teacher voice. The crucial variable is the manner of
the instructor’s participation. Declarative statements, mini-lectures,
overly extensive and lengthy corrections of students’ misguided
understandings are all to be discouraged and kept to a minimum.
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HE
S
KILLFUL
T
EACHER
A wide variety of brief, concise observations, questions, clarifica-
tions, affirmations, and acknowledgments are the best ways for
teachers to maintain “social presence,” while keeping students com-
ing back for more conversation and participation.