A questioning technique I have used successfully in getting students to participate in the classroom include:
Assigning a question to students that they will research on the internet, and provide answers to the class.
I commonly start with the questions that are to be used on up comming exams.Firstly, it reinforces the importance of reviewing the lecture and their notes. This then leads to more socratic questioning.
I believe it is important to stimulate student participation in question and answer sessions. I believe this stimulate critical thinking and increases group participation
I have used the "muddiest point" with good results. At the end of class I ask student to describe what parts of the class they need clarification on. Then I list these on the board for discussion.
In my Medical Coding class when my students and I are going over their homework I always ask how each student arrived at their answer. There is a variety of ways you can look up a procedure or diagnose in their coding books and the students are amazed when they start sharing their different methods.
Hi Mark, Thanks for your post to the forum. I like that idea - may I "borrow" it? Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Ask a question that covers the content discussed in the lecture. This will see if the students undertand the content presented.
I try to ask questions directly to students that match their background.
I use a method called "the index card question". At the end of every class I hand each student an index card and ask them to write a question that they had or did not understand about the days lecture and to bring it to the next class. I then collect them and read through them as a review of the previus lecture.
I have used a variety of techniues but the one that seems to work very well is to ask a student what are they thinking about the subject at hand. it usually has the student stop and think and then respond about their thoughts which can lead to the student feeling more comfortable in asking their own questions.
Hi Bronzel, that's a great way to facilitate active learning!
Susan Polick
I use role play in my class. Putting the student in the scenario or redirecting the question to include students opinions and feelings about things.
Hi Issac, Thanks for your post to the forum. That's a good way to get the class interacting! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I also like to ask questions that the students can relate to
I break the class into groups and i assign each group with questions and we discuss them as a whole
Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your post to the forum. Even after 35+ years teaching I still learn new twists to my questioning skills! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
This was a great review of questioning techniques. I was always at a loss when a student completed the clinic session and said they didn't learn anything.
I would then ask her a question that she could relate to. This student was shy. In thinking back she would have benifited early on with praise. In stead of the general question of what did you learn today, I would question her with a direct question. Less open ended questions worked better for this student
Hi Gary, Thanks for your post to the forum. That is a nice mix of activities! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Tiffany, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, I think we all like to talk about issues we can relate to. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
We use a lot of Power Points in class lectures for culinary arts, I like to break them up with a live demo of either the products or techniques that we are discussing, foolwed by review questions to tie it all together
