I use questions before I start discussing a topic to see where to start my discussion. If the students did not understand the background material as it was presented in a previous course I need to go into more detail. If they can explain to me how and why it works I know I can move up to more complex details about the system. This helps to keep the students from feeling as though we are covering the same material repeatedly. I can also use questions to help the students learn how to diagnose a problem because if they can tell me how the system is supposed to work they can usually tell me what we need to check if it is working incorrectly.
Hi Navinthran- Thank you for your post to the forum. Even after more than 25 years of teaching, I still am thrilled to see my students get drawn into and excited by a good discussion! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Questioning seems to make students think whether they want to or not and thus helps them get more focused on the subject being lectured. It is interesting to watch students answer questions because their answers sometimes spark a response from fellow classmates and in turn fires up a great discussion in which the entire class gains a lot of insight and get to share and exchange opinions...
Hi Tina- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree completely- students who will be dealing with those vital decisions must have critical thinking skills that will enable them to make good decisions. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
In health care education, students must prepare for the unexpected. There is text book health care and then there are the variations in real life scenarios. Asking questions, such as what if, then what, or why would that occur allows the instrcutor to see the thought processes for decision making of the student. This allows for correction of the decision making process in a field of study that may determine a patients life or death.
Hi Marie - thanks for your post to the forum. You described the correct way to effectively use questioning with your students. Best wishes. Susan
To ask is to involve that student that he or she is getting the information you have delivered. Some can hardly wait to blurt out that answer and it gives the instructor a good feeling of accomplishment plus others feel not so shy to engage.
Questioning sessions can actually be used in lieu of lectures. Not only does it allow active participation on the part of the student, it also give the instructor feedback on whether or not students fully understand the material. It can also be used as a self-esteem builder which can aide in instruction. If a student answers a question inaccurately, an instructor can draw upon something correct that the student has said and prompt the student in the right direction by asking more questions. Eventually, the student will give the correct information and can be praised.
When your questions guide them through the content that is being learned;bringing them to the final answer or end result you desire them to end up with.
Back to our law school days!
Questions can focus students attention on the topic at hand and develop information in a complete and thoughtful manner.
Hi Charles - Thanks for your post to the forum. Does the student seem bothered by this? Probably not since he/she continues to go off topic. That can be frustrating to the rest of the class though as it wastes time. I would try to quickly get back on topic by saying "We need to stay with this idea right now, let's discuss that after class." Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
What do you do if some of the students snicker or giggle at another student's propensity to bring up all sorts of subjects, many having little to do with the lecture or topic at hand?
Questioning sessions can be used as learning tools because it invokes student involvement and multiple answers and multiple questions with a broad range of verbal motion can come from it.
Questioning sessions allow student to give active feedback on concepts they have learned. The insturctor is able to engage the students minds by stimulating the thinking process.
HI Claire - You did a great job of articulating the roles that questioning can play. thanks for sharing! Best wishes- Susan
Asking questions can be helpful in doing the following: (1) determining what students already know; (2) assessing whether students understand the material that's been presented; (3) getting students interested in a topic; (4) providing an opportunity for students to apply what they've learned to a new set of facts; and (5) giving students opportunities to articulate their opinions and thoughts on a topic
At our school, we don't exactly use the Socratic Method for graphic design lectures but we do use a lot of questioning to assess learning. I usually call on individual students randomly to check if what I'm saying is making sense to them. We also have the students question each other during critiques.
HI John - Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, a brief questioning session can effectively "reel in" students who may be mentally surfing. Best wishes - Susan
Often times they lead to interesting discussions where students bring in real life experiences. I find them to ge engaging.
