Lots of TAs lead discussions, tutorials, or labs — all types of classroom activities designed to get students into smaller groups, to get them talking, interacting with material, learning from each other and from you.
However, it can be difficult to get students to begin. They might be unprepared, shy, afraid, confused…but it’s part of your job to get them started.
What tips would you give to a new teaching assistant who is about to lead for the first time? What has worked for you?
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Leaving a silence usually helps. And more than 2-3 seconds; think 7-10 seconds instead. Most of the time there will be someone in the group who cannot handle the quiet so much so that s/he speaks out.
Another trick for nudging students to chat is to set them up in a discussion-based environment from the very first class. Get them talking with an icebreaker or another such activity so that they see that discussion is a natural part of your classroom atmosphere. Doing so also helps them to feel more comfortable, which may make them more likley to share their thoughts and opinions.
I could go on and on with tips, but who else wants to add something?
You might find helpful this post and the ensuing discussion: “Silence is Golden…,” by Erin E. Templeton : ProfHacker (27 Jan. 2010).