Blog Post #6

What do we need to

know about asking questions to be an effective teacher?

What does it take for children to actively participate in project based learning? Well, if you want students to interact you must ask questions!

       "According to research, engaging students in the learning process increases their attention, focus, and motivates them to practice higher level critical thinking skills. Engaging students also helps promote meaningful learning experiences. Instructors who adopt a student-centered approach to instruction increase opportunities for student engagement, which then helps everyone more successfully achieve the course’s learning objectives."

     When I was younger, and still to this day, I have always assumed that my teacher "knows the answer." In a better meaning, I have always looked up to my teachers. If there was a question that I did not know I expected them to know the answer. However, after doing my research and observations teachers do not know everything. NO ONE IS PERFECT. We all make mistakes. Without mistakes what would we grow from? As teachers, it,s important that we understand the question or what is being asked and engage the opportunity to learn from the subject if we have not already. It's also important that we engage students in the questions they're asking as well. If we want our students to look up to us as teachers we must actively engage learning by asking questions. How are you going to do so? How am I going to do so? 

After doing research this is a few of the main points I have came across that I plan to use as a future teacher:

     First, when you are preparing for class set aside specific questions that you would like to ask your students. You may even want to set aside questions that the students could possibly ask you. You always want to be prepared, especially for the "what if's." By doing these preparations you are increasing encouragement and student participation in active learning. 

AVOID ASKING STUDENTS "LEADING QUESTIONS!" What's a leading question? A leading question is a phrase that suggests its own answer and it will discourage the student from thinking on their own. THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT! 

     Most importantly, when a student is providing a answer do not interrupt. You may think that you know what the student is about to say and you may want to intrude, but wait! You do not know what the student is going to say until they finish speaking. Some students may provide a longer more thought out answer than other students. Be an active and positive listener! You expect your students to listen to you, so you must listen to them. 

     When you're giving students instruction only ask one question at a time. You want to do so, because students may get confused on what question you want them to respond to. Students may also confuse the subject matter. 

WHEN THE STUDENT IS SPEAKING TO YOU DO NOT LOOK DOWN AT YOUR NOTES! PAY FULL ATTENTION! STUDENTS LEARN FROM YOU!
 

      When a student answers the question be sure to show that student that you're interested. It does not matter if the student got the answer right or wrong. You can do so by: by nodding your head to their responses, looking at them, and using positive facial expressions. Just be sure that whatever gesture you decide to do, shows that you're actively listening.