Questioning Techniques and Discussion Facilitation

Questioning Benefits
better and deeper understanding
longer lasting memory retention
critical thinking
active interaction

Questioning as a teaching strategy

Questioning guidelines
Gain attention
―Why should we be concerned about melting arctic ice?
―Why are some people poor and other people are rich?
―How does your brain work?
―What is the chemistry of life?
― Can people improve their basic intelligence?

Questioning guidelines
Ask open-ended questions
‘What is the next number in the sequence?’ ‘How did you work that out?’
“Do you like this company?”
“What do you like best about this company?”

Questioning guidelines
Make your questions relevant
―How will the proposed economic stimulus package affect you as a university student?
―How will your successful completion of this class prepare you to enter the work force?

Questioning guidelines
Employ all level thinking skills

Questioning guidelines
Keep the conversation going
“What kinds of questions do you have?”
vs.
“Do you have any questions?”
“raise your hand to ask a question – not to answer the teacher’s question”
End-of-class questions:
-What questions do you still have about today’s topic?
-If you were to ask one last question, what would it be?
-What was the muddiest point today?
-What was the most meaningful point we covered today?

Questioning guidelines
Ask students for questions

Facilitating a discussion
time to think and formulate responses
wait, do not interrupt
show interest
respond to keep students thinking