Learning intentions

• Know and understand that effective questioning is a powerful tool for learning

• Consider ways to generate questions for students

• Be aware of strategies for effective questioning in the classroom

Some starter questions

• Do you ask students to come up with their own ideas and to think aloud?

• Do you encourage your students to explain the reasons for their answers?

• Do they get the opportunity to ask their own questions?

• Is it okay to give a ‘wrong’ answer in your classroom?

• Is everybody’s opinion valued by everyone?

Climate for learning

• Risk-taking culture

• Community of inquiry

• Commitment to learning for all

Activity 1

Answering the big questions

What was the purpose of your questioning during that lesson?How did you respond to the answers the students gave?

Why do we ask questions?• To manage and

organise students’ behaviour

• To find out what students know

• To stimulate interest in a new topic

• To focus on an issue or topic

• To structure a task for maximum learning

• To identify, diagnose difficulties or blocks to learning

• To stimulate students to ask questions

• To give students opportunity to assimilate, reflect and learn through discussion

What is effective questioning?

Framing, delivering, timing, soliciting and responding to questions to

• Identify where students are currently in their learning

• Expand and deepen the learning

• Inform planning for future learning

Classroom strategies

Ask better questions

• Ask fewer questions

• Ask more ‘open’ questions

• Sequence questions

• Prepare key questions

Classroom strategies Ask questions in a better way

• Involve the whole class

• Think, pair, share

• Provide think time

• Try ‘no hands up’

Classroom strategies Deal with answers productively

• Use wrong answers to develop understanding

• Prompt students

• Listen and respond positively

Classroom strategies

Generate students’ questions• Model questioning for students

• Provide opportunities for students to practice their skills

• Plan time for students’ questions and for dealing with them effectively

Key messages

• Establishing the right climate is crucial• See the classroom as a community of inquiry• Share the role of questioner with the student• Effective questioning is designed to

- identify the present level of understanding- extend and deepen learning- inform future planning

Key messages

• Effective questioning contributes to

- improving classroom ethos/environment- instilling the skills needed for independent learning- supporting the development of Key Skills: Managing

Information and thinking, Being creative, and Working with others

Planning for questioning (Adapted from E .C. Wragg)

Identify the key questions in relation to the learning intentions for the

lesson

Decide on the level, order and timing of questions

Extend the questioning - thinking of subsidiary questions to

ask

Analyse anticipated answers and responses you might give