Australian schools are looking at banning students from raising their hands in class, in favour of models that engage all children.

The policy is the brainchild of British education expert Dr Dylan William whose model is used in some schools in Europe.

Mr William has recently been in Australia speaking to schools, including Frankston High School.

John Albiston, principal of Frankston High School in Melbourne's south-east, said some teachers are asking students to put their hands down.

"The same students are putting their hands up: the outgoing ones," Mr Albiston said.

"There could be half the class without their hand up, so these are the students that lack the confidence to contribute to the discussion."

Teachers will instead randomly select students to answer a question, he said.

"This new strategy is all about the teacher firstly asking a question, and then pausing," Mr Albiston said.

"Students then learn to sit up and listen because they don't know which student is going to need to respond to the question."

Hand raising shows those trying to contribute to discussion

But an Australian education researcher is not so sure that a ban on hands in the air is a brilliant idea.

Dr John Quay, a senior education lecturer at the University of Melbourne, said the practice of students raising their hair had its merits.

"Hands-up is still an important way for students to acknowledge that they're trying to contribute to a discussion," Mr Quay said.

He said experienced teachers should be able to spot the students slipping behind.

"It's really more applicable to inexperienced teachers, experienced teachers would realise that they can't keep going to the one student," he said.

However, Mr Albiston does not believe the new policy would discourage the best and brightest students from speaking up, because students are still encouraged to ask questions.

"Students are allowed to put their hands up, of course, to ask questions when they're unsure," he said.

Mr Albiston said his school was considering a range of ways to improve student participation.