Questions asked open a door for student responses because they allow for even incorrect answers to create a discussion to provide the correct information.
Answering questions can lead to brainstorming activities and further use of the Socratic method.
Hi Sara- I also love watching the "lightbulbs" light up! The excitement in the room can at times be almost palpable. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
When questioning evolves into counter-questioning and debate it forces a dialogue that opens our eyes to possible interpretations of an issue or experience. I think this is particularly true when we encourage students to bring their life experience to the classroom. Sure, there are times when there is only one "right" answer, however, as often as not there are degrees of interpretation of texts and discussions. When I end up being the moderator to a discussion that the students are steering I'm pretty much in heaven. :)
Hi Rosemary-You are teaching your students to use critical thinking skills that will be valuable for the rest of their lives. Best wishes- Susan
I too use this form of question. Teaching in a health sciences program means many of the skills learned require sequential steps, but some allow for variation of those steps.
By presenting a list of steps required for each new skill and asking students to put them in order and explain why the order they have chosen is correct and/or would a different sequence affect the outcome generally stimulates great discussions.
To change up these exercises I will either add an incorrect step or leave a critical step out which leads to even better discussions as students figure out the error and correct it.
HI Dean - Great example-thanks for sharing! Best wishes - Susan
I find that answering questions with another question that allows the students to thoughtfully respond, and through there response come up with the answer to the original question. example:
Q: What does the iris n a camera do?
My Answer/Question: Does anyone know how the iris in our eye works?
Student answer: When the room is dark our iris get's larger and when it's light it get's smaller.
Answer to original question: That is exactly how an iris in a camera is designed.. you open it up in darker situations to let more light in, and when there is alot of light present, you close the iris, to allow less light in.
By asking the right type of questions you can get the students to review material or learn new material in a way that will promote better retention. When the student is more involved in the discussion the material will be better absorbed and easier to recall.
Questioning is a great learning tool. It helps to access what information the students are "getting" or "not getting". It helps to pinpoint weak areas that need to be reviewed. It also encourages active listening, if the students know you will ask review questions. I have not tried it to the level of the "Socrates Method", but am excited to implement that into a lecture. It is so much more interesting and productive to get the students involved in discussion, rather than to just feed them information, and have them repeat it.
It provides student involvment and interaction, this should lead to learning.
Using questions can draw students into the topic at hand and enhance their understanding of it. Questions that they themselves may have and were not asking might be clarified. I like to use questioning sessions during reviews for quizzes and exams so that everyone else can learn from their peers' questions.
By asking questions some students are able to share there knowledge with other students . Also it helps hte instructor find out the level of understanding of the subject.
Hi Patricia- Thanks for your post to the forum! i find also that if students know that they will be asked questions on a regular basis, they tend to pay more attention in class. Best wishes - Susan
Questioning sessions allow interaction between student and instructor. Students become active participants, rather than "intake vessels." Instructors are able to observe first hand if they have been successful in their teaching and get a kind of feedback from their class.
Hi Ellen - Thanks for your post to the forum. I'm happy that you found this module useful!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Olatunji-Thanks for your post to the forum. You mention an important point - always have some "canned" questions ready to go - we can't always think on our feet! Best wishes- Susan
Questioning sessions are a truly valuable asset for getting students engaged in class discussions and activity, it creates and exciting and interesting atmosphere when thought provoking questions are asked and valuable insight and responses are provided by both the students and the instructor. I have found that students will retain information from these question and answer sessions. By making it fun and insightful, even the typically quiet students will gradually begin to get involved. It is a critical key tool in preparing for each lesson to have a good list of engaging questions, it really creates a great learning atmosphere.
They can be used as reviews for exams, or just general reviews of material covered. I personally found this learning module a great refresher - I need to pay more attention to my questioning techniques and use them in different ways to stimulate learning and discussion.
Hi Cheryl- Thanks for your answer to the forum which gives an excellent depiction of how good questioning skills can aid the learning process. Best wishes- Susan
