Hi Joe, Thanks for your post to the forum. Absolutely! When our students can relate what they are learning to their own experience they are much more engaged in the process. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I often start a question by giving the wrong answer out loud and making it known that it is the wrong answer so that the student is force to think about what the better or correct answer and why...I find that if you give them something to relate the correct answer to they retain it easier.
Some questioning techniques that I have used that were successful in creating student participation are when I ask a question that has personal significance for me with the material. I then explain my process to arriving at my answere. I then put the question to the students but in the mindframe of their personal lives. How can they apply the material we are discussing to their own lives. This creates a variety of answeres and a more dynamic classroom enviorment.
Ruth Kunnu,
I have asked students to offer other possible solutions for a given situation or problem.
Hi Jamie, thanks for your post to the forum. That is a great example of an open ended question that students will feel comfortable with. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I like to play the "What If" game, what if it didn't happen this way as described in the book. I believe it taps into their critical thinking skills which is very important when teaching dental hygiene, due to every patient is not the same.
I agree Adriana. It's important that we create a climate where students feel safe to express themselves. During our first class, the students and I discuss the characteristics of a learning community. From the onset, students begin to feel safe/supported/respected.
I like to ask students to stop/think about what I just said/covered. Then I ask "What's in your head right now?" I also inform students that there are no bad questions and no wrong answers.
If a student is not comfortable with the material being presented a student will shy away from a question and answer session. largley due to the so called embarassment surrounding a wrong answer. reiterate to the student that if nothing is wrong there is no reason for me to instruct and be confident even when no accurate.
I give the students case scenario so all the students can take part in dicussion.
I agree! open-ended questions seems to be the best way to see what the students understand.
As part of my class or course introduction I let them know that their participation is desired, expected and encouraged. Then I reinforce this message through opened ended questions.
Hi Kathryn, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, students do enjoy relating what they are learning to personal experience. A great technique to get conversations moving!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Hi Ladansa, Thanks for your post to the forum. That's an excellent way to teach critical thinking skills. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I pose a question that pertains to them in their personal life, because most people find it easy to talk about something they know...themselves. Then I pose the question in a relevant way about the subject we are talking about.
What I like to do is have the students ask me a question and then I take that same question and give it back to them.
Example: I was teaching Document Processing (Word). Students would ask me how to do something and I will give them one way. Then ask them to tell me another way.
It works for this course. Each course that I teach I have to think of different ways to make it work.
LaDansa
Hi Rah\'Meka, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, open-ended questions encourage students to use the critical thinking skills that they will need as they progress into threir careers. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I like to challenge my students with open ended questions, because it encourages them to think more abstractly.
I have a student share in class her experience with a patient in the clinic. I choose patient case which is relevant to specific subject matter discussed in lecture. The students participate every time.
Hi Ha Nie, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, I teach public speaking and most students hate speaking in the classroom. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
