Hi Dianne- Thanks for your post to the forum. \I agree, if we make questioning sessions a regular part of our daily lessons, students will learn to expect them and be more likely to prepare for class. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I believe that appropriate questioning can be used as a tool to engage students. If students come to expect interesting class discussions brought about by questioning, then they are more prone to better prepare for class by thinking about what types of questions might be raised and asking those questions of themselves before hand. That process cultivates self-directed learning in themselves and results in more meaningful class discussion for the group.
Beacuse it challenges them to come up with answers and information on their own, instead of us as instructors always giving the information to them.
It helps them to realize that not everything is going to be handed to them. It shows them that they need to think for themselves and come up with an answer, just like they will when they enter their field of study.
Hi Tracesea- Thanks for your post to the forum. When students get involved in their own learning they actually retain more of what they learn. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The use of questioning encourages the formation of critical thinking skills. These critical thinking skills are essential for a student become a self-directed learners. Also, I think that by using a questioning technique in your classroom, you encourage students to think of their own questions and how to find the answers to them. When students can formulate their own questions and then search for the answers they are directing their own learning.
I use scenario's from my own experiences good or bad and give the example to the class. If they can identify with me and my situation it usually puts them at ease and they will start opening up and asking questions!
by asking questions the student is reinforcing what they already know. Or they are adding the additional knowledge to what they know in order to use the information.
It can teach them not only how to problem solve and find an answer on their own, but to also think in order to solve their problem instead of just memorizing.
Hi Ann - Wow what a great description of how students find themselves in the "I don't know what I don't know" problem! Helping your students to be able to ask questions is essential! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
Teaching students when and how to ask questions about the material is critical to learning. This is not easy for students and therefore, requires the teacher to model how to form and ask questions. Often students will just flat out say "I don't get it but I don't know what my quesiton is." This is a great learning point for the student because I start asking knowledge questions and increase the questioning level to see where the disconnect occurred. Applying this model helps the student see not only the power questioning has on learning but also how they can do this on their own to measure understanding and learning and know when repair in learning is necessary.
I try to ask my students one question at the end of some my lectures. For example, one day we talked about the overview of Electronic Medical Record (EMR). The question for that lecture was, "what is the future of the EMR� The next day, each student had an interesting answer for that question. Everyone of them participated.
It is one thing to ask; but, how do you get them to actually do it? And, how do you get them to think critically when they do? I have a number of assignments that require students to critically review the work submitted by other students. Their replies are frequently superficial and seldom show evidence of critical thinking.
Hi Meighan - yes, that is exactly the purpose of Socratic questioning! I love to see those lights come on as my students start to make new connections with the material. Best wishes- Susan
Questioning can help students become more self-directed learners because it expands the level of thinking that the student has about the subject. It can often help the student see something about the subject that they have not seen before. By seeing something new abou the situation and the subject students can find a deeper level of interest in the subject.
Using questions forces students to think about the question asked and take responsiblity to learn or find the answer. It may require that they actively participate in thinking about a topic in a way they hadn't considered before, which may make that information more memorable to them.
I ask my students to "question everything." I feel it helps them to think critically and assures that they will eventually get correct information.
Asking questions can challenge students to search for and find answers to questions on subjects they are interested in.
Hi Richard- Thanks for your post to the forum. You expressed it beautifully! By using the Socratic method, they will learn to use critical thinking which will make them stand-out in their careers. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
It's something you want to practice in the hope that it becomes automatic in the students. They begin to apply the Socratic method in other areas. This creates life-long critical thinking skills that will benefit the students in all aspects of their lives.
