A few years ago I extended the ideas from Networking for Introverts (Zack, 2010) into the classroom. Here are 3 strategies profs can use to help introverts learn in an active classroom:

Start group activities with a minute or two of individual thinking

Introverts think before they talk. Give all learners (and therefore introverts) a bit of time to organize their thoughts, and introverts are more likely to participate and have a better learning experience.

Provide authentic, structured, and purposeful activities

In an active classroom we have to find that balance between providing enough time for the introvert to dig into the assigned task, and keeping it short enough to keep the extroverts engaged.

Punctuate group activities with individual time

Introverts need I-time. Adding an individual activity that applies or extends the concept just learned with the group, provides introverts with time to consolidate what they’ve learned.

So please … give the introverts in your class the support they need to be active learners.