STUDENTS PARTICIPATION IN THE MIXED-AGE COLLEGE CLASSROOM

Previous research regarding students' verbal participation in the coll ege classroom has focused largely on gender and class size. Using a tr iangulation of methods (observation, survey and interview), this study , conducted at an extension campus of a large state university, examin es the impact of students' age on classroom discussion. Age, gender, a ttendance, week in the semester, and time of day are found to be signi ficant determinants of verbal participation. The results indicate a '' consolidation of responsibility'' for participation. Students' reasons for their lack of participation are examined, as are their attitudes toward ''talkative'' students. Suggestions are offered for increasing participation.