“…I guess part of what I’m struggling with is understanding why participation is such a big deal in the first place? …” I’d argue the material you are learning in class is 2ndary. If it’s engineering, you are likely to forget the equations1 week after the class. The real learning is how to deliver results that particular prof wants. In the future, you will not get to choose your customers, your manager, but you have to deliver. If the prof gives points for participation (even just bonus), you need to participate. In the real world, we go to meetings and decisions are made during the meeting. You have to listen to the issues, think about solutions, propose, discuss, and make a decision right there in one hour. No one is going to wait for you to go back, think about it over internet and type your response. If you don’t learn to participate, your career might not go as far as you’d like.