Several questioning techniques that I have used successfully are:
- ask broad open-ended questions on material that couild have many different perspectives and points of view
- ask specific questions on material that is quite technical such as the hard sciences, accounting or detailed issued in finance
- progress from open-ended questions to more specific questions as the discussions wraps up most of what would be effective as open-end discussions and move to specifice questions
I actually try to sit down among my students and become a part of their group. Walking around the classroom is a good way of keeping one’s students engaged with the process. But sitting down and talking with them on a more personal level allows them to ask and answer questions that may not come to center stage. The shy student will oftentimes open up when not confronted with having to answer in front of the class as a group.
I try to ask the student to give an experience either from work or personal that may relate to the subject we are discussing.
Hi Alissa- It's great to have students with field experience in your class. As you mention, they give valuable real world info from a student's perspective. Best wishes- Susan
Many of my students have worked in the field (at a different level) that they are learning. I find that asking them questions about their experiences brings them into the discussion and also gives applicable information to their fellow students who have not had work experience in their chose field.
Ask leading questions, go around the room in order, and picking at random. It helps if you "stoke the fire" by generating interest.
Hi Susan - Thaanks for your post to the forum. I have found that learning to use "wait-time" in questioning can be one of the hardest things for an instructor to become comfortable with! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I have learned that I need to be quiet after I ask a question. I tend to re-phrase and re-phrase a question when I just need to shut up and let students take over. It's hard for me to hear nothing but I have to be patient.
Hi Jennifer- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that students really enjoy applying the concepts that they are learning to case studies. The additional benefit is that they will retain those concepts and be better able to apply them in the workplace. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I often use scenarios, case studies, or videos and ask students to apply certain concepts that they have learned or discuss the relevance of the scenario/case study/etc. It gives them a source for examples, so they may feel more comfortable than if they had to respond by creating their own examples.
To put yourself on their level, try to understand what they are trying to put out there.Explain in simple terms
A technique i found successful was laying out a broad scale of questions and pinpointing on the ones that got a larger response and discussing them in length, then work toward bringing in the other questions to the discussion.
Hi Joyce - How exciting - there is nothing like getting in front of a group of students and getting them excited about learning! I know when I first started teaching, I found that I was concentrating too much on what I would say next rather than concentrating on what my student was saying. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I give discussion points in class and that seems to help get some students involved. I also break the class into small groups so that people are more likely to respond given the small group number.
I have not begun my class teaching, I am still preparing my lecture and trying to work questions in amoung the lecture to get the students participation. The material should bring out some life experiences that students should be able to share, and this will also let me know more about my new students.
Hi Nicky- Thanks for your post to the forum. Open ended questions always bring more participation. Having advance knowledge of student backgrounds is another plus in being able to ask questions that students can really get involved in. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
i do ask a lot of open ended questions and what if type questions, this seems to get more students involved.i never single anyone out but i do ask by name if i have had this student before and this brings others into the discussion and starts the ball rolling.
Scenerio questions work best as it gives the student time to critcally think
I ask students to share life experience in class in relation to what we are discussing. When students can give an example of a moment in which the subject matter has been applied to their daily life. It makes it easy to understand.
I am always looking for an active discussion in my class. If they are not asking me questions, I in turn start asking them questions.
I am looking to make sure they are responding to the initial instruction given. I also go up to them personally, like a 1 on 1, and question them about a particular comment.
