The use of questioning will definitely help students to become self-directed learners because they will start asking themselves the same questions you are asking them. They will start answering these questions for themselves, before you asked.
You are right Thomas how this method builds their self confidence. If they have a professor that helps them to "locate" the right answer, the students feel as if they really learned something.
As a lawyer, socratic method is how we were taught in school, so I too have used it, and I have found it a wonderful tool.
It keeps the class moving and all the students interested.
Bernie: I also find that if I ask the questions, inevitably it was one that someone wanted to ask but did not have the courage to do so!
Tim, I agree wholeheartedly with your statements.
Students seem to enjoy the questions, and appear to learn more as they build on the answers that each gives.
Hi Jessica- Thanks for your post to the forum. You bring up an important point. Questioning can show students what they do not know but also confirm for them that they do know the material.
Best wishes- Susan
The use of questioning can help students become self-directed learners in many ways. Questioning them will challenge them with the material being learned and help them reconize if they need to learn the material better or give them confidence in the material as the reconize they know the material.
Asking them questions get them thinking about the subject that you are decussing with them. and help them to rember the material.
Hi David - thanks for your post to the forum. You are instilling really important critical thinking skills in your students - great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I try to instill in my students the concept of questioning everything. I often question the information in textbooks due to new research that comes out. By seeing their instructor question the texts, they feel more free to question as well.
Questioning helps direct students to the area of content that they need to focus on. It helps them put the content into prospective.
Lori
If we as instructors have come to understand the needs of our students, we are able to lead them in the direction of learning which will help them achieve their goals or objectives. It may be considered difficult, yet for me the challenge is rewarding. By asking directed questions it is a way to stimulate their thinking which through finding an answer will answer their own question. It is always imperative to answer the student's question. By crafting answers, I can lead them to more questions. I have seen this become the "light switching on" moment when a student finally realizes the answer. This process will encourage them to consider deeper thinking. Thinking is difficult, we have to show them it is rewarding.
I agree. When students realize what they don't know or what additional information/clarification they need. They actually hear the answer and then attempt to use the information in a way that is relevent to them and/or the course.
I encourage my students to ask questions during class time to ensure that they are "getting" the topic being presented. This helps me to "tailor" my teaching to what the students really need and not just "teach to the syllabus."
I also find that if students can find the answers to problems presented in class on their own it enhances their learning experience since it helps them to understand that they really can do it themself.
By asking question students learn what they know and don't know which will direct them to gain the knowledge they need.
Hi Kim - thanks for your post to the forum. You make a good point about one of the main benefits of questioning - it forces students to think through concepts which increases retention. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
It makes them think and hopefully respond, rather than just being able to be a passive learner...hearing it once and not having to process it. Questioning helps with the process and application of the learning process.
Hi Andre- Thanks for your very well written post to the forum! Yes, unless students understand the "why" of concepts they are really unable to use those concepts in other arenas. It is that higher order of understanding that makes the knowledge worthwhile. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Questions serve many purposes in classes. One purpose is to increase the interactivity within the classroom. Interactivity is a dimension of the kinesthetic learning style as it is offering the student an outlet to take concepts and apply them. This brings us to another use of questions--if you pose questions that are discussion questions, as opposed to questions with a right or wrong answer, you are applying concepts to a practical scenario. In other words you are asking your students to tell you the "why" of the concept. In a classroom such as a math course where there is a definitive right and wrong answer there is a greater need for the "why". To tell a student that, "it is just the way it is" does not clarify the concept. Students need to see the proper application to fully understand the concept. This increases a student's ability to think critically as well as problem solve. As an instructor it is our duty to prepare students for the job world which in most cases will consist of a series of trials to solve a neverending chain of problems. This reinforces the importance of two aspects of the classroom discussion. First, that it is important to apply concepts to application. Second, the classroom discussion facilitates group input and various perspectives to solve a complex problem. By seeing these two applications a student can then leave the classroom and formulate their own means of furthering the questions and applying new concepts to new scenarios, thus becoming a more self-directed learner.
It teaches our students to continue 'learning' after class is over. By teaching our students the art of the open question; we let them know that knowledge is infinite and exciting.
It keeps them involved in the learning process. I think too many students want the quick answer from students - especially now in the internet age where information is at their fingertips literally! We have to keep them thinking and looking for their answers and asking good questions!
