Encouraging students to ask questions about lecture topics
Are there any rules of thumb regarding this? Oftentimes I'll lecture on a difficult concept and I'll ask if there are there any questions. I don't seem to get many or any at all. Thanks.
Serena,
I think you are going to like the results you achieve when you use this strategy.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Depending on the class I seem to have the same issue with them not asking questions. I really like the idea of giving them a question and as a small group coming up with the answer, I will try that thank you.
Linda,
Good strategy and one that will help you keep the students engaged. I wish you much success in your teaching career. I know you are going to enjoy it much as you impact the lives of your students.
Gary
I am a first time full-time instructor. I have attended a few teaching development seminars. The best suggestion I have heard is to ask "What questions do you have for me?" Then say "We have time for two or three questions>" Also, I agree with the small group plan. Then have one from each of the groups share the group thoughts with the class. Linda
Hi Minerva,
Thank you for sharing this strategy with us. It is a good one and I know will be of value to other instructors.
Gary
The same thing happens to me. To encourage my students to ask more questions, I'll ask three students to be prepared to ask five questions at the end of the lecture and whoever answers them first gets extra credit points on a quiz. This keeps them on their toes during the lecture and is a good review at the end of the class.
Thank-you for your response. I will try and initiate a conversation with the method you're suggesting.
Hi John,
There are two kinds of questions. One, questions students have after receiving content through a lecture. When you ask "are there any questions" there may not be for two reasons. One, they understand the content or two, they are still thinking about what they have just heard so they haven't formed any questions as of yet.
The other kind of questions are more generic about the topic or content. You can raise these questions yourself and have the students answer them individually or through group discussion. This will get conversations started and you will find that the students then start to ask questions about the content as a result of their having talked about it.
Gary
