In my last Practicum class, the lecturer asked us to present a Set Induction for a lesson. However, in planning and conducting the Set Induction, she instructed us to focus on asking open ended questions. Initially I did not think much of the request , however, as I attempted to construct my Set Induction, I realized I was stumped.
I knew what I wanted to do and how I wanted it done, but all the questions that came to me were closed or structured. At that point I realized I lacked another integral skill or tool for effective teaching - the skill of asking questions.
Before that class, I never gave thought to attributing "power" to any type of questioning method. I thought I was quite competent in this regard because I ask questions everyday. "How difficult could it be to ask a group of Primary School learners some questions? What's the big deal? I thought. "At the end of the day, the lesson will still be delivered." Thankfully, that narrow minded way of thinking was dispelled by the close of my last Practicum session.
My lecturer highlighted the fact that in comparing open ended and closed questions, we should not perceive one as right or wrong, good or bad, superior or inferior; each type of question has its place and serves a purpose.
The power of the open ended question lies in allowing teachers to connect with their students. Teachers can have a greater influence on their students if those students feel a sense of connectivity.
Open ended questioning causes the students to answer freely without intimidation. The students gain confidence in knowing there are no right or wrong answers, and that their opinions matter.
The nature of the open ended question causes the learner to think deeply. They are forced to "probe" their own minds to discover what they truly think or feel about a particular subject matter. The teacher therefore gains greater insight into the thinking processes and abilities of his or her students, and the students discover their perspectives as a worthwhile contribution.
Open ended questions also open a door for multiple perspectives to be highlighted. It is impossible for anyone person to have all the answers regarding a particular subject matter. Open ended questions is one way of ensuring a well rounded view is achieved or explored.
Bearing these in mind, the power of open ended questioning should never be underestimated. When I demonstrated my Set Induction, I experienced first hand how a lesson may take a slightly different slant to what I had perceived, simply because I chose to incorporate open ended questions. The bonus for me was that the spontaneous and unpredictable answers caused the Set Induction to play off better than I had anticipated. The activity was more enriching.
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