Hi Chris - Thanks for sharing some great ideas for effective questioning! Susan
Hi Chris-Thanks for your post to the forum. That was excellent advice that you shared! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hello Rosemarie,
I can agree with your statement. For example, when I go to an interview I tend to do better if I can get the interviewer to talk about themselves. As I tell my students, find something to discuss that you know and understand, and everybody knows a lot about themselves! Thanks, Chris Graves.
Hello Martin,
How would you apply the game to online learners? Just curious because it sounds interesting. Thanks, Chris Graves.
I agree Lori. Open-ended questions can lead to stimulating thought and help students move through their own thought processes. Good job, Chris Graves.
There are a couple of questioning techniques that I have found to be useful. The first technique I use is just to simply ask questions that are stimulating. I try to ask stimulating questions right after we cover information that I would consider stimulating, but also find myself asking these questions when it appears the class is ready to fall asleep. Second, I try to leave the question open (no "yes" or "no" questions). This gives the student the opportunity to explain their thoughts and can lead to a deeper conversation with the class. This is because people have different opinions and open-ended questions help lead to stimulated thinking. Thanks, Chris Graves.
I attempt to ask questions about the subject matter that relate it to things in everyday life. It helps to provide a link between education and their life.
Hi Tricia- By telling your students about what you found confusing, you help them to relate to you and, as you say, feel more comfortable. Best wishes - Susan
I usually start my class with a open or general question in order to ease into the discussion. Because I teach both Business and Medical courses we discuss case studies and problem solving I use the Socratic Method of teaching. This has been successful and increases student participation.
I like to bring up things that I found confusing and ask the embarrasing questions that I asked when I was in school. It seems to lighten the mood in class. I also like to have a lot of time for discussion of topics in class so that the students feel more comfortable to ask questions.
Before we have discussions in class I make sure I assign pages to read or I tell them what we will be discussing the next day so they can hopefully prepare for class. When we go around the room, I like to praise the quiet ones when they answer a question correctly because I feel as if they are scared that someone will not accept their answer if its wrong. Even if their answers are wrong I have them reason why it is wrong so they can then find the right answer.
Hi Imran - Thanks for a clear and succinct description of how best to use open and closed ended questions! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Questions that opened, work great for subjective topics; where as questions that close ended, work great for quantitative topics.
Sometimes you have the warm up the group with simpler questions and provide praise for correct answers. I like to use games, friendly competition and praise to warm everyone up. I also ask students to come in the next day with a list of three questions, written anonymously and turned in on my desk. That gives them the chance to ask their "stupid" questions without fear of peer rejection. And when a question in class seems really simple, I like to respond by saying something "I see you've been thinking, and this can actually be a very complex area to discuss" or "It's great that you're taking the time to verify facts before we move on."
I also let them take a few minutes to think of questions that might stump me! I've found that some students will actually try to research more deeply into the class material to come up with questions. Haha, I tricked them into self-directed learning!
I start with an open ended question concerning a year range for the subject i teach. I'll ask the entire class for a few items that occured during a time span, then as the replies come in i direct the questions towards more specific answers. It's at this point i seek individual responses rather than entire class responses.
After giving my lecture,I ask students do they have any questions or concerns? I look at students body and facial express during my lecture to see how well my lecture is being received. If the students do not have any question then I will have my lists of questions for the class.
I also use open-ended questions in my classroom. If you use yes or no questions students tend not to elaborate. Usually by asking the open-ended questions, other students also critically think and share their responses in addition to the student who was called on. I also ensure I ask other students their "thoughts" on the topic as well.
I agree. Students do like to share personal experiences, and when one shares with the class, it seems that one or two more will open up and before you realize it, you have a healthy discussion going on. If necessary, I may share one of my own experiences with the class, and ask if anyone has encountered a similar situation, and take it from there.
Since I make sure I have created a "safe" enviroment for my students, most students will begin to relax and not fear participation.
Chef Karen
In math classes, students are often hesitant to ask questions about problems that gave them difficulties on the homework. Since I have taught this course numerous times, I know which problems tend to generate the most concerns. I find that when I start a list of problem numbers on the board with those questions, students open up and starting calling out more problem numbers. It is also interesting to watch the reactions of relief from some students when I put up problems they had questions about.
During the initial session of my intro to computers classes, I like to ask students about how they have seen technology change over time. Students generally get very involved in talking about everything from video games, using credit cards, retail store check out, cell phones, typewriters to laptops and more. This helps to break the ice and gets students sharing experiences from day one of the class.
