One way to keep everyone focused during questioning sessions is to divide the class
into groups and allow them to come up with
group questions which they can present to the
class. This can become the basis for your class
discussion.
J. E. Wright
Hi Rhonda, I have never heard that expression, but have certainly experienced the straying off topic! Good tactics! Susan
Susan Polick
I always seem to have a rabbit chaser.(Southern slang for students that want to veer the teacher off course and "run rabbits." LOL But it can be an ice breaker sometimes. I try to use it for fun but I always return to the subject as soon as possible. I usually tell the student if he wants to know about a political candidates net worth to be sure to bring that information to the next class and share with us. If a student want to get political, I will ask them to research their viewpoint and let us all in on the sources he/she used so that we may read about it also. Usually if I use a little humor, my rabbit chasers get the message and stay a little more on topic.
Hi Jamie, that must certainly keep your students engaged! Susan
Susan Polick
Kelly, I use the board frequently, too. I also find that following an agenda is helpful. I check-off items as we go.
I like to present bite size pieces of information than do a temperature check. This way we are discussing - questioning/answering as we go.
i often write "talking points" on the board and tell the students to use them as a guide for the class discussion.
Hi Daniel, Thanks for sharing a summary of good Questioning strategy! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
To keep the students focused on the topic, well prepared questions can be asked to initiate the discussion. Waiting for a short period of time so that the students can formulate the answers then restate the question and then prompting the the class for a response helps. If no one responds, rephrasing the question helps. When a student gives a response you can ask the class if there is anyone who can add to the answer or do they agree with it or not. A followup related question can then be asked, that way the students knowledge base can be built up. Of course, supplementing the discussion with short lecture/discussion lead by the instructor can provide additional information for the students to digest. For didactic material (such as doing calculations or laboratory techniques) the students can go to the board to work the problem and a discussion/questions can be built around that work.
Hi Catherine,
Excellent strategies- thanks for sharing! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Vary your question methods. Shout out questions for response from any/everyone is good for repetitive information that is solidified. It is good reinforcement for learning.
Classes can be divided into teams with points awarded for the Team as they collaborate to answer the question. The competition is fun, learning is reinforced.
I agree completely. Students usually love to talk about themselves because, of course, it is a subject they know a lot about. I find it dangerous at times to allow to many personal stories because this easily gets out of control.
Having a diverse group of student, I find I might need to rephrase the questions
Hi Roxsie, Thanks for your post to the forum. That "wait time" is usually a difficult thing for new instructors to be comfortable with, however, as you mention, students will benefit! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
When asking questions always wait a few seconds for a response and really listen to what the student is saying. This will keep them focused and let them know you value their imput.
Keeping focused during questioning sessions at times requires that I thank the active participant for the response, then redirect the discussion. I redirect by asking someone to add to the the previous speaker's comment. This usually get the discussion back on target without being impolite.
Norrisjean
I sometimes play a Q&A game that my students love to review material prior to tests. I will divide the class into two teams (nothing complicated, left-side and right-side works just fine!) and have everyone stand at their desks. I will go down each row, giving a question to each student. If the student answers correctly, they get to sit down. If not, they remain standing until the questioning loops around again. At the end of 10 minutes, the team with the most "sitters" wins a prize such as retractable pencils, etc. Not only does this breed a healthy sense of competition among the students and build self-esteem, but it also engages students' whole bodies in the learning process and gets the energy (and enthusiasm!) flowing
I will ask a question, a student answers and I will build on the same question to provoke more discussion.
Hi Cheryl, Thanks for sharing some excellent suggestions to have dynamic questioning sessions. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I feel the first method is for the instructor to come to class prepared for a discussion…know what you are going to talk about and have thought provoking questions written.
Secondly, once a question has been asked LISTEN. As our Covey friends know…â€Seek first to understand.â€
Finally, after listening carefully to what the student has said: wait a few seconds before responding.
