When students know how to ask their own questions, they take greater ownership of their learning, deepen comprehension, and make new connections and discoveries on their own.
Typically, questions are seen as the province of teachers, who spend years figuring out how to craft questions and fine-tune them to stimulate students’ curiosity or engage them more effectively.
to introduce students to a new unit, to assess students’ knowledge to see what they need to understand better, and even to conclude a unit to see how students can, with new knowledge, set a fresh learning agenda for themselves. The technique can be used for all ages.
ask as many questions as you can; do not stop to discuss, judge, or answer any of the questions; write down every question exactly as it was stated; and change any statements into questions.
for an open-ended thinking process.
The teacher begins this step by introducing definitions of closed- and open-ended questions.
“Choose the three questions you most want to explore further.”
Students will be asking all the questions. A teacher’s role is simply to facilitate that process. This is a significant change for students as well.
The site is designed with activities and information to help teach students critical thinking, problem solving and to get them to love learning. The site wants students to get a curiosity in math and science in every day life.
A blog related to my work helping mid-career or career-changing students to "develop reflective practice as we change our schools, workplaces, and lives." (Shameless plug)
Use the following tactics during class to ensure that students are actively engaged in thinking about the content. Students should be called on randomly (using the deck of cards method for instance) so that everyone participates. When students do not know when they will be called on they are much more likely to remain alert and engaged in the learning process. Students should be routinely called upon to:
Summarize or put into their own words what the teacher or another student has said.
Elaborate on what they have said.
Relate the issue or content to their own knowledge and experience.
Give examples to clarify or support what they have said.
Make connections between related concepts.
Restate the instructions or assignment in their own words.
State the question at issue.
Describe to what extent their point of view on the issue is different from or similar to the point of view of the instructor, other students, the author, etc.
Take a few minutes to write down any of the above.
Write down the most pressing question on their mind at this point. The instructor then uses the above tactics to help students reason through the questions.
Discuss any of the above with a partner and then participate in a group discussion facilitated by the instructor."