Questioning
Appropriate and detailed questioning can reinforce what is being taught and
be an important aid in building comprehension. Here is some advice:
- Open-ended, exploratory questions are more meaningful than questions that
merely ask for an affirmative or negative response. For example, ask questions
that start with who, what, where, how,
or describe. Yes /no questions may only encourage the learner to
guess.
- Ask for concrete information when asking questions.
- Effective questions are brief and use specific language.
- Take some time when giving or asking for information. Some "wait-time"
is always helpful - as much as 5 to 10 seconds is not inappropriate.
- Avoid answering questions on behalf of your learner, or completing his
or her sentences. Avoid answering your own questions.
- Avoid confusing questions about underlying reasons.
- If necessary, repeat questions more than once.
- If necessary, ask a question in a different way.
- To ensure that the question is understood, you can ask the learner to
summarize or repeat the question prior to answering it.
"Reinforcing By Questioning"
