Questions that hang in the air
I often will ask my students questions that at this point in the class they should know the answers to, however, the question can sometimes just hang in the air while the student tries to come up with an answer. Other times when this happens, there can be another student busting to answer the question, but then I worry that they student who was asked the question will not learn the answer if someone else answers for him/her...
Hi Franco - As you mention, it is improtant to keep in mind that questioning should be a "process" so we need to be able to help our students to arrive at answers by gently "teasing" them out. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Greetings Jenn:
Perhaps some pedagological assistance can be attained from our Old friend Socrates and his method. If a question goes unanswered and "hangs," then a different approach of questioning that provides clues to the original question may help students "to think" out the answer. Tone in voice to be gently encouraging and humor also helps to facilitate the dialogical quality of the questioning process.
Also I think that if you do let student #2 who is anxious to answer student #1 will hopefully retain the correct answer at that time. Sometimes the preasure of not being able to answer correctly or timely will encourage that student to want to be able to answer next time, Creating a little friendly competition.
I find hang time with questioning all the time, I tend to curtail other students from answering and ask broader more leading questions of the struggling student.
Thats a good idea... To redirect the question or simply change it so that its recieved better.
Wait, wait, wait! I find that if the class does not respond to a question you have posed, that by waiting a beat or two, or more, someone will eventually make an attempt to respond. And if that does not work--although in my experience it always does--then rephrase the question you initially posed--or take it in another direction.
Hi Jeff- I really like the opening scenario technique that you use. As you mention it is sure to get the students interested and particpating. Great work! Susan
Sometimes I will begin the class with a question in the form of a scenario and then use that to “solve” the scenario using an ongoing discussion about the various elements. I have found this to engage the students and help them see how various problems might be analyzed.
If a question hangs in the air too long, I redirect the question to the entire class or slip the answer in myself and move on...
I have found that if I call upon a student and they leave the question hanging, waiting for a response for too long creates an uncomfortable moment for the student. If I can keep their learing experience moving fluidly by assisting with the answer or more commonly redirecting to a student who does know the answer. Sometimes I will even throw out a wrong answer and will often find the student providing the right answer.
Hi Jennifer - If student#1 can't come up with the answer, she doesn't know the answer and will be miserable left hanging for too long. Give her a bit of time and then call on Student #2 who obviously knows the answer. Then you take a moment to write the answer on the board, explaining again why that is the right answer.Best wishes - Susan
I will often ask at that point if another student can help and the make sure everyone understands the answer
