Cold Call

Cold Call (Teacher Nomination): The teacher calls on a student without soliciting hands raised. Cold calls work best when coupled with wait time: Teacher asks a questions, gives students a moment to think, then cold calls a student.

CAUTION: Teachers who use Cold Call take pains to make it clear that Cold Calls are universal (they come, without fail, to everyone) and not an effort to single out students for lack of attentiveness, in response to specific behaviors, or according to some other hidden calculus. Cold Call is about expectations—“ This is how we do it here”— and that means asking Cold Call questions in a calm, even tone, perhaps with a bit of a smile or a look of sincere interest. Effective use of Cold Call requires that it be directed to all types of students— not just those whose attention might be questioned, say— and sprinkle their questions to all corners of the room, not just that certain group of desks in the back. Some teachers even track their Cold Calls— or plan them in advance— to keep themselves accountable for getting to everyone with reasonable consistency. Ineffective use of Cold Calls can lead to inequity, student resistance, a feeling by students that they are being picked on, and the sense that participating in class discussions is a form of punishment.