OXFORD SUMMER CAMP 2012 A series of Teachers Training Workshops [email protected]

OXFORD SUMMER CAMP 2012A series of Teachers Training Workshops

[email protected]

Practice Thinking Through Effective Questioning

Bushra Shahab-OUP (0332-3799529)

How do children learn?

What is relevant to children in the 21st century?

Think about-• Organisation in the classroom.• Noise level.• Displays • Discuss these

points in your groups


Why ask questions??


1.Why ask questions in the classroom?

2.What makes a good or effective question?

3.Who asks the majority of the questions in your classroom? Why?

4.How do you create an environment where all students ask and answer questions?

5.What strategies do you use in the classroom to encourage questioning?


• Focus attention on a topic

• Direct student thinking in a particular way• Control behaviour of the class or individuals

• Challenge students• Reinforce learnt material

• Encourage students to be actively engaged in learning

• Structure or guide the learning of a task •

• Assess Students

Encourage reflection on learning• Gain feedback from students about teaching

• Revision of content

• Evaluation purposes• Help students clarify their understandings

• Model questioning and thinking Spark further questions• Help students make connections • • Motivate student inquires• Identify gaps in students’ learning

• Provide opportunities for student learning through discussion

Why ?

• Excite interest or curiosity


How can teachers utilize effective questioning?

• Plan questions in advance- build up to more challenging • Focus on a few carefully constructed open ended

questions.• Ask one question at a time.• Consider the need for think time- Avoid the trap of

answering your own questions.• Vary questioning strategies e.g. For a change make a

provocative statement and wait for a response.• Ensure all students have the opportunity to respond to

questions by catering for the range of learners in the class.


Use the Y or T chart to explain what a question friendly classroom would be like.

(Ask your students the same question)



How can teachers encourage effective student questions?

• Introduce different questioning strategies• Develop student awareness of different types of questions and the type of thinking required• Make time for student questions and celebrating them.• Providing positive feedback to student questions • Clarify students questions


Different types of QuestionsMany types- lets simplify

Open questions, Fat questions, Higher order-Invite interpretation, no preconceived response.

Closed questions, Skinny questions, Lower order- non-negotiable, recited answer


Product- What, when and who questions, key ideas and factsProcess- How questions associated with procedures and processes.

Opinion- Why questions consider causal relationships and require explanations.

Product, Process and Opinion


Questions to encourage students to think more deeply

Questions that ask for depth

Questions that ask for reasoning

Questions that ask for clarification

•What other points need to be taken into consideration?•What questions do you need to ask?

• What are some possible explanations?• How do you know?• How could you prove this?

•What have we found out? •Do you agree or disagree?•When would that happen/ not happen?


Questions to encourage students to think more deeplyThought provoking questions

Questions that ask for reasonsWhy did you say that?

Questions that ask for evaluation of reasonsWhat reasons support that idea?

Questions that ask for clarificationIs that what you meant?

Questions that ask for explanationsWhat are some possible causes?

Questions that ask for evidenceHow could we prove this?

Questions that ask for definitionsWhat does that mean?

Questions that ask for counter examplesWhen would that not happen?

Questions that ask for alternativesWhat would be a different view?

Questions that probe assumptionsHow do you know that?

Questions that ask for consequences and implicationsWhat would the consequences be?

Questions that ask for connectionsDo those two ideas agree?

Questions that ask for distinctionsHow is that different from what was said?

Questions that ask for questionsWhat questions would be useful to ask?

Questions that ask for summary of the contentWhat have you found out?

Questions that ask for a summary of the process What did we do well? What could we improve?Bushra Shahab-OUP (0332-3799529)


Some strategies and activities for developing effective questioning

Wiederholds Q-matrix

Creative questioning

Stop, think and question

The answer is?

You are a reporter

Wear my shoes or see through my specs

All views considered

Three Cs and 3 Ps

Open and closed questions

What’s in the box?

The 5 whys


The question ishow come the teacher asks all the questionswhen I’m the one who needs to know things.The question iswhy I’m supposed to have the answersto all my parent’s questions when they can’t answer mine.The question is why scientists ask ten questions for every answer they getBut I have to answer seven out of ten to pass.The question is why politicians learn not to answer questionswhile I have to learn to answer them.

The question is why questions have to be answered fast at school when philosophers take years to answer them.The question is why are there so many little questions in schoolwhen Marie Curie spent her whole life on one big question.The question is why must I find answers to already answered questionswhen I have questions that have not yet been answered.The question is why can’t I be in charge of the questions?


For any further inquiry or assistance in modern techniques & teaching methodologies please feel free to contact us:

[email protected]

0332-3799529

Documents

OXFORD SUMMER CAMP 2012 A series of Teachers Training Workshops [email protected]