Keith,
My favorite type of questions are open-ended ones. I have to be careful though that the discussions do not go off on tangents, making me a good timekeeper. The students sometimes get upset when I have to cut a discussion to deliver some of the class material.
Judy Mohammed
Jesse,
You can also remind them to plan the questions into their lectures, along with some possible responses.
Judy Mohammed
Always look for new ways to ask questions
Errol,
This is very good advice and I hope you have many opportunities to work with new teachers.
Judy Mohammed
Steve,
As teachers, we develop diverse methods for learning students' names. I use the roster at the beginning and, with entering grades and attendance, I soon learn the names. However, as soon as the class is over, I forget the names of these students to make way for new students. It is most interesting to me.
Judy Mohammed
Fred,
I have always enjoyed using questions since I like interactive classes. I do need to ensure that my discussions do not go off on tangents and that I deliver my planned curriculum.
Judy Mohammed
you can never ask too many questions to your class.ask open questions to allow discussion among the students.Allow time for the students to figure the answer out dont just give it to them.
It is extra powerful to know the students names as they are asking and answering questions. It is also very tuff to learn 60 students names in 3 weeks
Yes, I like the idea of applying different kinds of questions in the classroom. It is valuable to know and practice when to ask the right type of question. It greatly facilitates learning. Fred
What I have tried to do is encorage the new instructor to preview their presentation material and try to write at least 5 questions that cover the key points of the course lesson and to ask those questions to the students as a means or way to close the course topic or lesson presentation. Once they have prepared their questions, I will review there questions with them, prior to their persentation to their students and help them understand the type of questions they are asking and what type of answers they might expect from their students. Two things can be accomplised in mentoring this way, first it breaks the ice on questioning techniques and second, helps them learn the kinds of responses they might receive from their questions, this so they can best prepare their students for the best possible out comes from the course material.
James,
Students really appreciate this. We sometimes forget how many experiences they bring to the classroom and we can learn a lot from them.
Judy Mohammed
use open ended questions about the material through out the lecture.try to ask questions about personal experiance.ask them situtational questions
Dawn,
I am sure that your students appreciate this. It also encourages using critical thinking skills.
Judy Mohammed
Robert,
That is funny. I am sure that your students appreciate it. I also plan humor into my classes.
Judy Mohammed
As a Program Director, I often find myself mentoring instructors. The first pointer I offer them is to circulate the room. Get the students accustomed to moving their seats around during the term and yourself (as the instructor) moving around as you teach and lecture. This, in itself, gets the students more open to answering questions and engaging the classroom. Secondly, ask open questions and challenge the students when the question is answered. I like to ask questions three at a time. I ask the initial question, stem a question from the first answer, and then question the answer to the second question. It makes for a really engaged classroom.
The mention of presidential debates reminded me of what I often tell classes. I like it when they talk intelligently about the subject, even if they sometimes go off on tangents. I tell them about a long dead governor of New Jersey or Rhode Island or somewhere who, when asked a question he didn't want to answer, would sputter and say, "That's the question, but THAT'S NOT THE ISSUE!"
M,
This is excellent. We need to awaken and encourage students to employ critical thinking skills. Students appreciate this type of learning a lot.
Judy Mohammed
During class, I give my students ample opportunities to ask questions during a lecture. When a student asks a question I provide them a simple answer and then follow my response with a food for thought type of question. My question requires the student to think, analyze, and review/recall previously presented/discussed material before responding. This type back & forth builds their critical thinking and communication skills while collaboration with others.
Marla,
This is is a great method. I appreciate anything that leads to critical thinking.
Judy Mohammed
Grace,
This is great advice. I include a participation grade in my grades.
Judy Mohammed
