In my current Insurance Orientation Class I would change the question from:
Closed: What is a HMO plan?
Open: How does the HMO plan compare to the PPO plan?
Accounting closed question. An added cash investment will have what effect upon the debit column of your cash ledger account?
Open question. How will an added cash investment affect your accounting records?
Patricia,
The why questions are probing ones. These are good since they encourage critical thinking.
Judy Mohammed
I use both. Some questions have to be elaborated. But what I do like since I work in Healthcare and the questions are about healthcare I sort of stretch the questions by stating "Why". The answers I get are good, even if its wrong, I want the student to place on "thinking caps". It does become fun. But he or she realize the answer is so basic.
Patricia,
These are good examples. Do you use more open or closed questions in your classes?
Judy Mohammed
Closed: What instrument is used to take Blood Pressures?
Open: How is the instrument utilized on patients for Blood Pressures?
Socrates,
And do you, like your namesake, use many questions in class?
Judy Mohammed
Roy,
I am glad that you have found this class beneficial. I use more open questions, which are planned in advance, and my classes are interactive.
Judy Mohammed
I would use the following questions in my class:
1. State the null and alternative hypothesis. (Closed)
2. Explain when you would use null and alternative hypotheses. (Open)
I have found that I have been using way too many closed end questions. I have now tried more open ended questioning and it has made my class discussions more interactive with the entire class. I did not realize there was so many different ways to question. I have sat and tried to see how many ways I can ask the same question and have used it in class. This is great stuff.
Christy,
Great examples! Which do you prefer to use, open or closed ended questions?
Judy Mohammed
Closed: What are the elements of murder?
Open: What distinguishes murder from other forms of homicide?
OR
Open: Why is the element of intent so significant in the crime of murder?
Shannon,
Goood examples! Do you use these questions in your classes?
Judy Mohammed
Darcey,
Good examples! Which do you prefer to use, closed or open questions?
Judy Mohammed
Closed: What instrument can debride the distal of tooth #30?
Open: Why is this instrument often used for debriding the distal of tooth #30?
Closed: List 2 strong flours and 2 weak flours.
Open: What would be some examples of strong and weak flours and how could we use them?
Benjamin,
Your math class must be interesting - I wish I had interactive math classes.
Judy Mohammed
Wendy,
These are good questions. Do you use them in your classes?
Judy Mohammed
Because I teach math and science, I am able to ask both types. I ask most math problems in the closed form, since these questions are mostly true or false in general. Then, I will ask about concepts, applications, and analogies in the open form, in order to generate dialog in the class.
What are the ingredients used in Spanish Cuisine? How might you use those in a dish with chicken?
