Blog Post #6

The Effective Ways of Asking Questions

           Questions, question, questions. I've asked, and been asked at least a million questions in my life time; and a diverse group at that. Rhetorical questions, leading questions, evaluation questions, and let's not forget the most reoccurring questions...test questions. But besides that fact think back to the times you were in class, remember the times in elementary, middle and high school, or even college, when you were asked useless questions; the type of questions that spark no activity in your brain, the type of questions you've been asked time after time or while you've been daydreaming all day. It's perfectly alright to admit it, I'm sure we all have; and I'm sure we've all had those teachers that lecture us into a daydream.

           Now  let's be a little more specific on the type of questions that those teachers asked. Here's an example, "Grass is green, isn't it?" Or, here's another example, the dreaded, "Do you understand?" What kind of questions are these?  I can tell you what kind of question it isn't; it isn't a question that motivates students to learn. It isn't a question that captures the attention of it's audience. It isn't a question that helps a students grow and learn. So if the questions are so ineffective, why are we still using them? It's clear that they don't work. Or perhaps maybe, we are asking the wrong types of questions.

          Question and questioning can be a powerful tool in learning. They can be used in a multitude of contexts, this is where we need take a step back and evaluate the questions we are asking and the questions we should be asking. So this brings us to the question of the hour.....what do we need to know about asking questions to be an effective teacher? Well, Dr. Strange and I have done some research and I have found the answer...or at least some of the answer.

          It begins with effective listening and interaction; if your students are half asleep during class time, and you wait till the end of discussion to ask questions, they will have no value from the start. Effective questions are powerful, thought provoking, and not left open ended. Instead try integrating them into your lesson. You've got to make sure your students are engaged in what is happening. Second, change the way you are asking these questions. Chances are, your either asking a rhetorical question, or a leading question; these questions will be the death of you!!

            From what I learned from doing the research, ask questions in a way that gets the brain fired up and gets students to want to answer the question. An example would be, "What is that steaming, red hot, liquid rock that flows from volcano's?" Wait a few seconds between each question, to make sure the student has in fact thought up an answer instead of hoping the teacher will not pick him. Also, teachers need to put enthusiasm into their questions, if the students see that the teacher is generally interested and excited about the topic, students are more likely to be excited too! Teachers can't just assume that because they lectured us for over an hour that we retained everything we heard. Questioning throughout lectures is a way of keeping your class interested, attentive, and alert.

          Now I just want to take a little time and talk about questioning from the students perspective. Almost every great scientist or philosopher who discovered something great, started from a question; whether it be Plato or Issac Newton, they both asked how and why. I know when I was in grade school I really didn't ask a lot of questions. Why? Well I can think of a few reasons; one, I was too afraid of being mocked by my peers. Two, I was afraid of being made fun of by the teacher or embarrassed in front of the class. Three, I was afraid of what people would think, period.

          I remember once when I was in geometry class every time I asked a question someone would sigh or the teacher would ask why I didn't understand and get angry. Teachers should openly accept questions as an opportunity to personally help a student succeed. The students cannot do it alone they need OUR help. We should be embracing questions in the classroom not shaming them. Teachers often get offended when students ask questions because they feel like they have been incompetent. I am not saying this is every case, but in most cases I have seen this happen. Take this time to work with the student personally and make sure that they really understand. This is also a great opportunity to ask the right kinds of questions.

          One of the class quotes for EDM 310 is "Never Tell. Always Ask". We often find ourselves giving lectures or spitting out facts like we know it all. But the truth is, everyone you meet knows something you don't. Asking questions is a way to learn, not a way of saying your a failure. What would we have done if Copernicus didn't question about our Solar System? What would we have done if Newton didn't ask why the apple fell from the tree?  Questions are not a sign of weakness, they are a window to understanding. This comes to show, that asking question, whether you're a student or teacher, should spark learning and creativity, if not, it just becomes another memory that is soon to be replaced.