Teaching with Valor A Veteran's Perspective Podcast "Effective Questioning Techniques"

Welcome to another episode of "Teaching with Valor," where we explore innovative and effective teaching strategies to enhance the educational experience. 

I'm your host, Don J. Fessenden, and today, we’re diving into the critical topic of Effective Questioning Techniques. Questions are at the heart of learning, sparking curiosity and encouraging critical thinking. 

Today, we’ll discuss how to implement these techniques at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, and we’ll also cover two additional segments related to this topic. 

Stay tuned for our special bonus segment where we’ll answer a parent question about how effective questioning impacts student learning.

Show notes:

For more information please checkout the following resources at the following:

• "Classroom Questioning" by Kathleen Cotton
• "The Art of Questioning: Improving Teaching and Learning" by Dennis Palmer Wolf
• Edutopia’s articles on effective questioning techniques
• Teaching Channel’s videos and resources on questioning strategies

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Transcript

Don: 0:08

Welcome to another episode of"Teaching with Valor," where we explore innovative and effective teaching strategies to enhance the educational experience. I'm your host, Don Fessenden, and today, we’re diving into the critical topic of Effective Questioning Techniques. Questions are at the heart of learning, sparking curiosity and encouraging critical thinking. Today, we’ll discuss how to implement these techniques at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, and we’ll also cover two additional segments related to this topic. Stay tuned for our special bonus segment where we’ll answer a parent question about how effective questioning impacts student learning. Let's start with the basics. Effective questioning techniques are essential tools that teachers use to engage students, promote deeper understanding, and assess comprehension. The right questions can stimulate critical thinking, encourage discussion, and foster a more interactive classroom environment. At the elementary school level, effective questioning helps young students develop foundational thinking skills. Teachers can use open-ended questions to encourage students to think beyond yes or no answers. For example, instead of asking,"Did you like the story?" a teacher might ask,"What was your favorite part of the story and why?" This type of question requires students to articulate their thoughts and feelings, promoting language development and critical thinking. Mrs. Carter, an elementary school teacher, often uses effective questioning in her classroom. During a science lesson about plants, she asks her students,"What do you think will happen if a plant doesn’t get any sunlight?" This question encourages students to hypothesize and discuss their ideas, leading to a deeper understanding of photosynthesis and plant growth. In middle school, students are ready for more complex and analytical questions. Effective questioning techniques at this level can help students develop higher-order thinking skills. Teachers can use questions to guide students through the process of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. For instance, during a history lesson, Mr. Parker might ask his students,"How did the Industrial Revolution change the lives of ordinary people?" This question requires students to analyze historical information, synthesize different perspectives, and evaluate the impact of historical events. Such questions not only deepen students' understanding of history but also enhance their critical thinking skills. High school students, preparing for college and careers, benefit from even more sophisticated questioning techniques. Teachers can use questions to challenge students' assumptions, encourage independent thinking, and foster intellectual curiosity. Ms. Lopez, a high school English teacher, uses Socratic questioning in her classroom to promote deep discussions about literature. During a discussion of"To Kill a Mockingbird," she asks,"What does the character of Atticus Finch reveal about the nature of justice?" This question prompts students to delve into the themes of the novel, consider different interpretations, and articulate their own views. Now, let's look into our two additional segments related to effective questioning techniques. In the first, we will look at Strategies for Developing Effective Questions. Creating effective questions involves more than simply asking; it requires careful planning and consideration of students' developmental levels and learning objectives. Teachers can use Bloom’s Taxonomy as a framework to develop questions that target different levels of thinking. Starting with simple recall questions and progressing to more complex analytical and evaluative questions can scaffold students' thinking and promote deeper understanding. Another strategy is to use wait time effectively. After asking a question, giving students a few moments to think before answering encourages more thoughtful and thorough responses. This technique is especially useful for promoting participation from all students, not just the quickest responders. And in our next segment we will look at Encouraging Student Questions. Encouraging students to ask their own questions is equally important. This practice fosters a culture of inquiry and active learning. Teachers can model good questioning techniques by asking open-ended questions and showing genuine interest in students' responses. Creating a classroom environment where questions are valued and encouraged helps students feel comfortable expressing their curiosity and seeking deeper understanding. One effective method is the Question Formulation Technique, which guides students through the process of generating, refining, and prioritizing their own questions. This technique not only enhances students' questioning skills but also increases their engagement and ownership of the learning process. And now for our special bonus segment. A common question we receive from parents is:"How do effective questioning techniques impact my child's learning?" Effective questioning techniques have a profound impact on student learning. They promote active engagement, critical thinking, and deeper understanding of the subject matter. When teachers use well-crafted questions, they challenge students to think more deeply and articulate their thoughts clearly. This process not only enhances comprehension but also develops essential skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Parents can support this at home by encouraging their children to ask questions and engage in discussions about their learning. Asking open-ended questions about their school day or homework can help reinforce the importance of questioning and critical thinking. Before we wrap up, I want to provide some resources and references for those interested in learning more about effective questioning techniques:"Classroom Questioning" by Kathleen Cotton;"The Art of Questioning: Improving Teaching and Learning" by Dennis Palmer Wolf; Edutopia’s articles on effective questioning techniques; Teaching Channel’s videos and resources on questioning strategies. These resources offer valuable insights and practical strategies to help you implement effective questioning techniques in your classroom. That’s all for today’s episode of"Teaching with Valor." I hope you found these strategies helpful and feel inspired to incorporate effective questioning techniques into your teaching. Remember, asking the right questions can transform your classroom and significantly enhance student learning. Until next time, stay valiant!