3: On cold call
Shownotes
Cold Call has become a familiar classroom technique — but there’s more to doing it well than simply asking a question and choosing a student to answer.
In this episode we discuss:
- What Cold Call is — and what the research tells us about it
- Why randomising student selection can create problems
- The importance of teacher judgement when deciding who to call on
- Why Cold Call works best after everyone has had an opportunity to think
- How writing, pair talk and mini whiteboards can strengthen Cold Call
** One Good Woman **
This episode’s One Good Woman is Elise Dallimore, whose research has examined Cold Calling in university classrooms.
We discuss Dallimore and colleagues’ research into how Cold Calling affects students’ participation, including work examining students’ comfort with participating in class and the relationship between Cold Calling and voluntary participation.
Her work is a useful reminder that Cold Call isn’t simply about getting more students to answer questions: the way the technique is established and used matters.
** Research mentioned in this episode **
Dallimore, E. J., Hertenstein, J. H., & Platt, M. B. (2013). Impact of Cold-Calling on Student Voluntary Participation. Journal of Management Education, 37(3), 305–341.
This study examined the relationship between Cold Calling and students’ voluntary participation in class. The researchers found that high levels of Cold Calling were associated with increased voluntary participation, and that students became more comfortable participating as the course progressed.
** Also mentioned **
Bron has also written about Cold Call over at The Implementation Edit, including why Cold Call is more sophisticated than it can first appear, the problems with randomised selection, and the importance of embedding it within a broader set of responsive teaching routines.
** Notices **
Next Steps in Responsive Teaching
A digital masterclass with Bron
27 January 2027 | 9.30am–1.30pm
Register here
There are new eps coming soon on Emina’s other podcast. Heavy is the English Head
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