Every class is different first of all....knowing this will help on your own ability to teach with the right tone and points that pertain to subject material.
Frank,
This is good advice. Instructors should always plan the questions into the lesson plans and wait for responses.
Judy Mohammed
The three things that I would share are;
1. Write out question before class; place them in your lesson plan.
2. Wait for a response (I, tend to answer my own).
3. Use more open ended questions, and wait.
These are the thing that I wish I had been told when I first started teaching.
I still have an issue with the waiting, sometimes I feel that I can’t wait any long and need to call on another student or answer the question myself.
Jason,
Great advice! How do you handle questions for which you do not know the answers?
Judy Mohammed
To expect the unexpected. If the answer to a question is unknown, don't try to fake it. Lastly, be as fair as possible in your questioning. Calling on any and everybody.
David,
Excellent advice! Like you, I often throw back a question to the class and have them research the answer; every teacher should know that there is nothing wrong in saying, "I don't know."
Judy Mohammed
Jeffrey,
Great advice! Students learn better using the method you stated rather that teachers feeding information only.
Judy Mohammed
Lev,
Great advice! You may ask a question for which the students do not know the answer, knowing that you will give the answer in class. Then ask the question at the end of the class and see the students light up as they understand that learning took place in the class.
Judy Mohammed
Thomas,
Great advice! It took some time for me to be able to use wait time effectively as well.
Judy Mohammed
1. Be prepared for any type of question from the student and try not to give simple answers. Don't be afraid to elaborate and/or turn the your answer into a probing question to them.
2. Allow adequate time to let the question sink in and for students to form an answer.
3. Accept the fact that sooner or later a student is going to ask a question that you do not know the answer to. Don't be afraid to say that you don't know.....this is an oppurtunnity to get the whole class involved in fionding the right answer. Many times I have used this technique even when I already knew the answer.
jason,
You are correct! Some classes, like math and science, might require more closed ended questions. In the beginning, before I know my students’ names, I use to roster to ensure that I call on everyone since it is important to get everyone involved.
Judy Mohammed
Angela,
Isn’t it amazing how many of us were just thrown into teaching and we had to paddle along making a way for ourselves? Thankfully we made it. Evaluating the students’ comments is a great way to check on how we are doing. I often find ways to improve by reading the comments. Your advice is great!
Judy Mohammed
Kenneth,
This is excellent advice! I utilize all of the techniques that you have listed.
Judy Mohammed
Steven,
Great advice! I use discussion often in my classes and the students enjoy the interaction as well as the class exchanges. You are right about the classes, they each have a personality of their own; so, it is good to be able to read the classes early.
Judy Mohammed
Don,
This is an excellent technique! It allows for critical thinking and students can ask questions on parts of the lecture that may be difficult for them
Judy Mohammed
Any time you are ask a question by a student, when you know they are just trying to get the simple answer, turn it back on them by answering their question with a question that requires them to think and respond. Make them work out the answer for themselves, with a little help from you of course. They have to learn critical thinking skills if they are to be sucessful in their chosen field.
Three things I would recommend to a new instructor would be:
A. Start a lecture by asking a question
B. Make sure the question is open ended
C. Provide plenty time to answer the question( remember silence is a great tool)
The first thing I would share would be about the wait times- although time is tight in the classroom the students need more time than I was allowing to absorb the information. Next I would explain to them the benefits of asking different types of questions verses just asking closed questions. Finally I would tell them to incorporate the entire class in discussion- not just the ones that always raise their hands.
It would depend on the subject. Open questions are always best, however, some subjects such as math, require a certain level of memorizations. In such class I would suggest closed questions with leading follow-ups. Second i would suggest increasing response times to allow more students to answer. Often students will allow the "smart Kid" to answer the bulk of the questions so they are not formulating answers. The increased response time will allow those students a chance to try and answer even if it’s only in their head. Third I’m a huge fan of praise in the class room. However if you are only calling on a select number of students others will not receive those praises. It’s imperative that ALL the students are given a chance to receive those praises.
When I first began teaching I was kind of thrown into without any real direction, and basically how I learn was from student feedback. At the end of the quarter students grade their instructors and the main comment I kept receiving was that I needed to 'praise' the students more. So from that point on I realized that I need to plan my days out better, so I could ask more effective questions, so that when the students responded I could give the proper praise or redirection as necessary. So those would be the 3 things I shared with new instructors: 1. to have effective daily plans, 2. to ask questions, more open ended and interpretive so, 3. you can respond and give them the praise that they ultimately desire.
