Prompting and Classroom Climate. Consider the effects on students if a pattern of prompting is established. It communicates that the teacher expects a successful answer and will provide assistance to ensure success. As a result, on succeeding questions students are likely to increase their effort.
In contrast, consider again Kim’s response, “on ships,” which drew laughter from the other students. If a climate of accountability and support had not been established, Kim might have been embarrassed. However, since everyone in the class was being called on, and Teri was prompting each student who didn't answer correctly, Kim was not uniquely” on the spot,” so the likelihood of being embarrassed was greatly reduced.