Open question and answer sessions can be used as a review of the topic. It also opens communication in the classroom between instructor and student as well as between the class as a whole. Questions can be asked in a variety of ways, verbal and written as well as illustrative. Often questions will spark a student to research an area further.
Questioning can be very effective in the assessment of each student's understanding of the material. By encouraging student participation I am able to build trust and a more comfortable learning environment especially for more introverted students, whom have much to contribute if repeatedly given the opportunity to do so. It may take many opportunities to achieve this learning environment, but it is definitely worth the effort. The entire class always benefits from full participation from all class members.
Hi DeeAnn- Thanks for your post to the forum. You make a good point- sometimes the re-explaination of a concept during questioning makes the concept clearer than when it was first explored by the instructor. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I think students are energized by a question and answer format. It allows them to participate,and show themselves, their instructor, and their peers how much they have learned. These sessions help all students because those who are unsure about the answer often broaden their understanding of the topic by hearing the explaination from their peer vs. only hearing from their instructor.
Hi Teresa- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree, often students may have had the same question but were afraid to ask. Recognizing that other students had the same question reassures them and encourages them to ask questions in the future. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Questioning sessions can be learning tools because it shows to students what each other knows and may break the ice between students and the teacher. It will also give a shy person the opportunity to break their shell and answer a question.
Asking questions can get students thinking about how to apply what they have learned to real world situations.
HI Patrick - Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree, if we lecture without any punctuation through questioning, our students will easily "zone out". Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I find that questioning students will keep them focused on the topic being covered. It also helps me to know if I am covering the topic well enough.
When you are questioning your students it gives them the opportunity to be the teacher. Some students learn better by teaching others than just by reading materials. Students also seem to learn some material better from their peers.
Question sessions can be used to expand on the topic at hand or examples in the text. It allows the student to put an idea into practical purposes and expand their thoughts building confidence in the student to communicate verbally
HI Rosita - Thanks for your post to the forum. All of the positive results of questioning are possible as long as we, as instructors, guide the questioning effectively. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I think questioning sessions as learning tools, allow the students to think for themselves, and "think outside of the box." It allows for them to contribute their opinion or express their own experiences. Questioning will allow for discussion to develop among the classroom. This can lead to a debate of sorts, and/or lead to other important topics.
Hi Graham- Thanks for your post to the forum. You bring up an intersting point. Most often we think of questioning sessions as opportunities to see how much our students know. However, as you mention, it is often an opportunity for our students to assimilate knowledge- things they may have missed or may have minunderstood. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
These sessions can be helpful in several ways. For one, students get the opportunity to share life experiences with one another. There is also a discovery process involved that allows the student to assimilate information based on a discovery process that is set forth through questions and answers.
i have recently learned new ways to provide exciting QandA better then before and my class seems to enjoy it and retain information much better with this practice.
When questions are asked, I answer then and then I will ask if anyone wants to add anything else to the answer. I will ask a student if they want to add anything else about this question. If not, I will ask a question to that student that will be a answer to the first question. Also I have a question debate in the class. I ask table 1 an question, and then I ask table 3 to come up with the answer to the question. I will give then extra poin
Hi Gary - Thanks for your post to the forum. You are doing a great job at helping your students to be engaged and comfortable! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi, Susan,
In my world we cover a lot of ground quickly in the first few days of class. Pausing to get students to answer questions is how I insure that they are in touch at this rapid pace. If I ask questions at the right level, it's a positive experience. The students are surprised to see how much they understand, even at an early stage. It also serves as a clue as to how we will proceed--what kinds of things will be important moving forward. It gets them well involved even before they have time to become intimidated about content.--Gary O. Ackerman
Hi Michael- Thanks for your post to the forum. Using some "feeler" type questions is an excellent idea to get a sense of where your students are. Best wishes- Susan
