This document discusses silent learners in educational contexts and how to best support their learning. It begins by posing questions about why some learners are silent and whether their silence indicates passivity or indifference. It then explores some common reasons learners may be silent, such as lack of fluency in a foreign language or being an introvert. The document outlines challenges that can arise when noisy and silent learners are in the same group, and suggests strategies for teachers and institutions to empower silent learners, such as asynchronous discussions, flexible learning paths, and valuing different forms of participation. Overall, it advocates understanding and respecting diverse learners rather than assuming one approach fits all.

1. Lorking - is lurking
working?

2. Why silent learners?
Why are they silent?
Is it ok to be silent?
Should we try to activate the silent ones?
Does active participation guarantee better learning?
Silence = passivity = indifference?
What motivates silent learners? How can we best support their learning?

3. “I got what I needed and then I left”
Images: CC0 Public Domain https://pixabay.com/fi/users/sofisorgin-2175259/ and
https://pixabay.com/fi/users/Gellinger-201217/

4. in classroom silence has become more visible
Image: CC0 Public Domain, https://pixabay.com/fi/users/geralt-9301/

5. but online you don’t exist unless you leave a sign
Image: CC0 Public Domain, https://pixabay.com/fi/users/ElisaRiva-1348268/

6. We wanted to learn more about our learners
webinars
questionnaires
interviews
conferences

7. contextual silence

8. more reasons for silence
“I have quite a lot of self criticism and I think a lot what is appropriate to say in
which situation”
“I’m a slow writer and there is always someone who already has said what I
had in mind”
“I’m not fluent in foreign languages and I’m afraid of making mistakes”
“I’m an introvert and have no need to express myself loud among others”

9. challenges in a group with silent + noisy learners
the noisy members make the silent ones even more silent
the ideas of silent learners might go totally unnoticed
uncomfortable for extraverts to share if the silent ones don’t share back
both might lose interest and motivation

10. what to do about this?
Hold your horses, you noisy learners and let the silent learners take their
time
asynchronous discussions instead of / in addition to real time online
meetings
let the silent learner take charge of group work (i.e. let him/her set the pace)
give group tasks, where different kind of competences are needed
invite the learners take specific roles in group work
zen for teachers - teachers need to get used to silence and not be afraid of it

11. how to empower & encourage silent learners
“The other participants in the group are interested to hear your view. They are
truly curious!”
“Discussions in a group will provoke your thoughts on the subject and will
deepen your learning and understanding of the subject”
“Think of all the ideas you could get from the others. Those could help you to
develope your own ideas even further.”
“Maybe allow people to contribute using different media – text, voice, film”

12. lessons learnt
raising consciousness, interest and discussion
more understanding of silent learners and their reasons
more respect for various kinds of learners
value of feeling of belonging even if not taking active part
diverse learning materials
individual flexible learning paths for individual learners

13. one size doesn’t fit all
Image: CC0 Public Domain, https://pixabay.com/fi/users/newsong-1438343/

14. https://silentlearnersblog.wordpress.com/