Teachers often go into classes hoping that their questions will lead to vigorous and thoughtful discussion, but they usually leave disappointed that they only elicited a sea of blank faces.
While it can be tempting to blame the lack of response on student lethargy or lack of class preparation, the issue has more to do with group dynamics. A class is a social entity, governed by social and psychological dynamics. When we speak in a group, we care not only about what we are saying but also about what others will think of us. We don’t want to look foolish in front of others. Cold-calling on individual students only puts students on edge, redirecting psychological energy away from the topic.