Student participation in computer science tutorials: why are their shoes so interesting?

Getting student participation in tutorial and group discussion situations is always a challenge that can be difficult, time consuming and demoralising. As part of a Postgraduate Teaching Internship, a project is being initiated to try and determine the underlying causes for this refusal to participate by the undergraduates, and make attempts to resolve any problems or issues that may be causing the undergraduate students lack of participation. The preliminary results of a student survey into their lack of participation in group discussions are discussed, along with potential solutions that can be implemented to avoid future problems, which are in the process of being evaluated.