Blog Post #6

What do we need to know about asking questions to be an effective teacher?

As teachers, we need to come to reality with the fact that we really do not know everything, and there is no reason to assume that the students know nothing. Have you ever thought about how silly teachers can be? When teachers get in front of students, they present themselves to be the ones with all the answers, and then after they talk to the students, they start asking questions as if they don't know anything we just talked about. No wonder students get confused!

After doing some reading and researching I have come to some points that I will try to live by as a future teachers:

• When preparing for class compose specific questions that you will ask your students (or that you anticipate they will ask you). Doing so will help you increase student participation and encourage active learning.

• Avoid asking “leading questions.” A leading question is phrased in such a way that it suggests its own answer and therefore discourages students from thinking on their own.

• In class discussions, do not ask more than one question at once. When you ask more than one question, students often do not respond because they are unsure which question you want them to answer.

• Do not interrupt students’ answers. You may find yourself wanting to interrupt because you think you know what the student is going to say, or simply because you are passionate about the material. Resist this temptation. Hearing the students’ full responses will allow you to give them credit for their ideas and to determine when they have not yet understood the material.

• Show that you are interested in students’ answers, whether right or wrong. Encourage students when they are offering answers by nodding, looking at them, and using facial expressions that show you are listening and engaged.

• Do not look down at your notes while they are speaking.

Here is a video that I found to be very helpful!