No Opt Out

Many students have learned that “I don’t know” will get them off the hook. Effective teachers do not permit a child to opt out. No Opt Out is an important strategy to use in the classroom because it promotes an academic environment that demands all students participate while empowering them by ensuring that they will be able to correctly answer any question that they previously could not answer. Students do not get the option not to answer a question.

I often pair this technique with Cold Call during oral drills to review previous material. Since implementing No Opt Out I have noticed increased attention and participation because students know that they will be required to answer correctly. No Opt Out has enhanced the value of scholarship in the classroom and has been received by students as a positive support; rather than them feeling belittled by it.

I have posted two videos that demonstrate using No Opt Out. The first video is very short and serves to show a quick sequence of a student who answered incorrectly at first and, after hearing the correct answer from another student, is asked to repeat the correct answer. The second video is an example of an oral drill using Cold Call and No Opt Out. You will notice that all students participated and ended by saying the correct answer. You will also see that students were not resistant to being asked to answer the question correctly.





I am extremely impressed at how well this technique works and how easy it is to use. I plan to continue using No Opt Out in the future as well as many of the other strategies offered in Teach Like a Champion.