Ask good questions.
Asking "good" questions isn't simply a matter of the technique, but includes asking varied questions that bring out answers from students at different learning levels. I appreciated how the lesson brought this point out.
Hi Karina,
Thank you for the strategies of how to approach the classroom and provide student support. Good ways to stimulate thought and discussion.
Gary
Class rules During a discussion:
My students are not allowed to say ‘I don’t know’ when asked a question.
My students are not required to know, but you are expected to think.
My students can guess,speculate and wonder aloud on based of the knowledge gained during even first hours of my class. There is no little knowledge its always 100% your 100%, like nerves system - all or nothing.
My Strategy
*Keep class roster handy during discussion sessions and mark who speaks and who does not.
*Ask those students who do not participate enough to "help me out" by speaking more in class.
*Sitting down among my students and look at them across an even plane No talking down to student - because there is a "fight or flight" mechanism that kicks in from our brain when we have to stand up to what is coming at us.
Offer help in form of question
* "Guess What I’m Thinking" Question lets attempt a mind reading attitude.
*"What should Student X have done to improve his/her focus?" asks for students input.
* Don't you think...? Rhetorical Question—in which questions allow me to push my interpretations and ideas on my students while
* The Information Retrieval Question—in which students are asked to simply look in the text at hand, find specific, concrete information, and bring it back to the teacher.
Stop discussion:
* "Do you think ....?" or "Wouldn’t you agree ...?" ask students to engage in nothing more than simple Yes/No, which stops a discussion dead.
I always ask a lot of questions as a teaching tool, and I greatly encourage students to pose challenging questions to their teachers and peers.
Jeffrey,
I like your observation about creating critical thinkers. Philosophically speaking, I believe critical thinking is one of the greatest gifts teachers can develop in their students. By asking questions such as, "How would you apply this concept in the workplace?"or "How might you apply this broader perspective to create a solution to a specific problem?", the instructor facilitates lively discussion while encouraging students to "think outside the box".
This kind of "big picture" questioning is also very conducive to two-way learning.
I really like this idea. I have a few students that I don't hear from much and this would be a great way to get them to participate!
This sounds so much like me. Asking questions through the years has certainly helped me get more confident, improve my communication skills and educating me in a way that i enjoy.
Hi Scot,
Good plan. This way you can have a general idea of how you would answers questions because you have already thought about them in your instructional planning.
Gary
Hi Cynthia,
Yes, I do. I show them how they can through participation (discussions, presentations, attendance, being on time, etc.) earn professional points. The points are based upon the same expectations that one would need to be successful in the work place.
Gary
I like to have questions writen out in my lesson plans to use as I do my demos, to make sure that the students understand, WHY it is that I do the things that I do.
That sounds like an excellent idea, do you use participation points to keep them engaged?
Hi Joseph,
This is good way also to show the students the value you attach to the content of the text. Many times instructors with have students purchase an expensive textbook and then never really use it in the class. This causes hard feelings because the students feel they are wasting their money on the books because the instructor never refers to them.
Gary
I find the review questions at the back of each chapter to be extremely effective in reinforcing what was covered. If the class gets stuck on a question, I find that going back in the chapter is very helpful if mastering the subject material.
I find that asking questions is a good way to guage if my students are grasping the concepts that I have set forth in the lecture. I want to make sure they can apply the knowledge given to real life cenerios, so it is vital that the questions I ask are of value.
Hi Tana,
Good point about using questioning as a learning tool. The idea of planning some of your questions in advance is a way to make sure the points you want to raise are done so through the questions that you ask.
Gary
Asking a "good question" is not always as easy as it would seem. I have found that it is not so simple to find a balance between asking questions that are too broad (the students do not know what I am asking for) or, conversely, asking questions that are too easy (gives the answer away in the question). I try to plan some of my class participation questions carefully in advance to make sure the questions I ask are stimulating (not too vague and not too simplistic).
Hi Donald,
Good way to keep them engaged. Also, they get to contribute to the discussion this way even though they might prefer to sit out and not give input into the discussions. In their work settings once they enter the field sitting out is not an option so you are helping them to develop their communication skills in addition to giving them knowledge and skills.
Gary
I agree about keeping students alert by asking questions. In fact, I have a rule in my classes (3 hours or longer) that every student will answer at least one question. Some of them get uncomfortable but they stay engaged.
I find that asking question not only causes the student to think, but it also keeps them alert. The interaction keeps them from becoming bored or from tuning you out.
I find asking questions to the students is an extremely important part of learning process. In several cases, it creates critical thinkers. Also by asking certain questions, I can lead the students to the correct answer. This builds their confidence in understanding the concepts and answering questions in class. Therefore asking the right questions were good questions is extremely important.
