a good example of open questions could be found watching presidential questioning, like the press secretary sessions.
If I were the mentor of a new instructor, I would share the importance of effective questioning in the classrrom by first always being prepared on the subject matter so you can have the appropriate answer to the question you ask. It is important to redirect and probe students in the correct format to facilitate achievement and continue the growth within the learning environment. I would share the importance of wait time, both first wait time and second wait time, and I would make the new instructor aware of the studies that show more effective questioning just by allowing a 3 second wait time. Our school's focus is in medical programs, therefore, I would also let the instructor know there is a time for all the various types of questioning, but open questions foster critical thinking.
Traci,
I agree with you completely - I could have written your advice above. You should definitely share your advice with new teachers.
Judy Mohammed
Here is what I do, and what I would advise a new instructor to try:
Don't read the questions directly from the textbook, that is always available to the students.
Use open ended questions that challenge them to think outside of the text. I am always bringing in handouts and using the dry erase board to teach more than they would learn from the book. They bring all of the information together nicely.
Also, pay attention to their body language and facial expressions. If they look confused, they are confused. Tell them that you know the topic is challenging, so you can go over it again. Question the group as a whole to see where the problem lies; you can usually trace it back to a common area. Start from there and as you explain it, ask probing questions so they are actually telling you what they have learned. They will be surprised at how much they know.
Troy,
You are so right about students wanting to leave early and losing their attention towards the end. I like your technique. Also, this may give us more time to work with students who may need additional attention.
Judy Mohammed
Troy,
Very good advice! I go one step further anbd I have the student research the question as well. I do my research so that we can discuss the answer at the next class meeting. I like your "parking lot" idea.
Judy Mohammed
Charles,
Questioning is indeed a superb tool to use while teaching. I find that students absorb more knowledge when being challenged to think critically.
Judy Mohammed
in regaurds to being asked a question you don't know the answer I would tell the new instructor to don't EVER try to b.s. your way through the answer, I tell them the truth that I am not exactly sure of the answer but I will research it and come back to them with the correct answer, I have what I call a "parking lot" on the white board with any questions I couldn't answer that day so I don't forget what they were and the next day when they come back I have their answer
theres a few things I do when asked a question by a student I try to give them a answer that makes the use critical thinking all the time like a example would be if the student comes up to me and asks the question that is on say a review I just handed out and they are just wanting me to give them the answer rather than research it, i'll ask them a easier question that pertains to what they asked , then I ask another one that more closely relates to their question and leading them to the answer they were looking for. ive started doing something else because students are allways wanting to leave a little early so I will go right down the roll sheet asking them questions about the lecture we talked about that day and if they answer correctly they get to leave 5 minutes early. it helps me make sure im teaching bell to bell because its hard to keep them engaged when they know they get out in 10 or 15 minutes
This type of instruction should be mandatory for all new instructors and repeated every year so instructors can improved and learn from other instructors to grow in the art of asking questions. I concur with Paul comments fully.
Joseph,
This is very good advice. Our questions should encourage and develop critical thinking skills.
Judy Mohammed
The advice I would give to a new instructor is to make the questions relivant to not only the lesson, but the learning outcomes. Use questions which will lead to critical thinking about how the lesson is going to influence them in the future. Always have the students ask themselves, What's In It For Me?
Colleen,
This is good advice. Do you mentor new teachers?
Judy Mohammed
If I were mentoring a new instructor I would encourage him/her to have a mix of closed questions so that you as the instructor could assess the amount of learning of facts and principles that the students are retaining but also use open ended questions so that the students opinions and critical thinking skills are utilized and the students are processing the material.
Beverly ,
Open questions are excellent becuase they lead to great discussions. However, you must be aware of how much time to allot to the discussions so that you stay focused on your lesson. Planning is the best way to go here.
Judy Mohammed
Dale,
This is very good advice, which should be shared with other teachers, old or new.
Judy Mohammed
Nicky,
Of course, also this encourages critical thinking and students know that they need to be alert and aware in the classes.
Judy Mohammed
I agree. Often the material being presented can be rather dry and by asking them questions engages the student in the material and helps to keep them focused and interested.
1)Organize a system for asking questions in a manner that brings all students into discussing the answers. In many classroom environments one or two students tend to dominate open questions and many students are comfortable being quiet. Getting the quiet students to participate in a fashion that they are comfortable with is a significant achievement and one of the main goals.
2.)Do not be impatient for answers unless quick responses are "required" for some curricular reason. Teachers often rush students toward answers but when people are first learning things there minds need time to process the question and search for the answer ... monitor how much time of quiet you allow before moving forward after asking a question.
3.) Questions should be organized to build toward greater understanding - scaffolding knowledge.
Try to have about half of your questions "open" and explain the benefits.
How to turn closed questions to open, may be simply by asking for follow-up to a closed question.
Explain why "wait time" is so important. (I am definitely more aware of that now.)
