Asking "Does anyone have any questions?" will most likely not get many students raising their hands, especially at the beginning of the semester. Most questions students have go unasked for this reason. In a Faculty Focus article, Meriah Crawford found that works involves a very affordable office supply: index cards. Having students write down questions about course material or concerns about the class and turn them in anonymously can yield a variety of results.
Crawford recommends making a show of shuffling the cards to ensure anonymity, then reading out and answering the questions during class time. If there are issues that call for a longer conversation, she suggests that you read out the question and ask its author to speak with you in person after class or during office hours, provided they feel comfortable enough to do so. More often than not, the student will take you up on the offer. While this is not an activity that you will do every class session, it should prove helpful at the beginning of term and at other critical points in the semester like at the start of an assignment or before a high-stakes exam.
9/07/2018