Using Q: Skills for Success Third Edition 

in the (digital) classroom

Colin S. Ward, Professor of ESOL, Lone Star College, Houston, Texas, USA
Poll: What’s your current teaching 
situation? 
• Face-to-face instruction

• Hybrid instruction

• Online instruction
How many of you are Q users already? 
Q: Skills for Success Third Edition
Blended Learning in 
the Third Edition

Skills Videos

Unit Videos

Critical Thinking Videos

iQ Online Practice & Teacher’s 
Resources
The Q Approach

Inquiry-based Approach

(Use the chat room)
The Q Approach

Inquiry-based Approach

• Learning is guided by a leading question

or problem – students as “researchers”
The Q Approach

Inquiry-based Approach

• Learning is guided by a leading question

or problem – students as “researchers”

• Students are active participants in

their learning - teachers as “research
assistants”
The Q Approach

Inquiry-based Approach

• Learning is guided by a leading question

or problem – students as “researchers”

• Students are active participants in

their learning - teachers as “research
assistants”
• More class time devoted to group
work and peer-to-peer collaboration
The Q Approach

Inquiry-based Approach

• Learning is guided by a leading question

or problem – students as “researchers”

• Students are active participants in

their learning - teachers as “research
assistants”
• More class time devoted to group
work and peer-to-peer collaboration

• Students afforded more chances to

reflect on their learning
Traditional Approach
Inquiry‐based Approach
 Q: Skills for Success Third Edition
Third Edition of Q: Skills for Success 

Unit 6:
Neurology
 Q: Skills for Success Third Edition
Third Edition of Q: Skills for Success 

Unit 6:
Neurology

Unit Question
Q: Will artificial
Q: Are you a good
intelligence ever be
decision maker?
as smart as humans?
Building to and from the Unit Question

Are you a
good
decision
maker?
 Building to and from the Unit Question

Reading 1:
The Lazy Brain

Reading 2: Are you a

Problem Solvers: good
Which one are decision
you?
maker?
Unit Video*
Intuition
 Building to and from the Unit Question

Reading 1:
The Lazy Brain

Reading 2: Are you a Write an

Problem Solvers: good analysis essay
Which one are decision with reasons
you? and examples
maker?
Unit Video*
Intuition
Starting the journey 

Academic 
Discipline
Starting the journey 

Unit 
Objective
Modeling collaboration

The Q Classroom

iQ Online 
Practice
Practicing collaboration

iQ Online 
Practice
Online 
Discussion 
Board
Assessing Collaboration

iQ Online 
Pracitce
Resources
Teacher’s Notes  ‐ Background Note

iQ Online 
Pracitce
Resources
Teacher’s Notes – Multilevel Options

iQ Online 
Practice 
Resources
Discussion Board Teacher’s Pack

iQ Online 
Practice 
Resources
Incorporating the Unit Video

iQ Online 
Practice 
Resources
Students as Researchers
Using the Video Script 

iQ Online 
Practice 
Resources
Collaborative Expansion Activities 

Debates Talking Stations

Scaffolding the Skills

Reading & Writing Listening & Speaking
Reading  Listening
Writing  Speaking
Pronunciation
Speaking
Note‐taking 

Grammar
Critical Thinking
Students as inquisitors

iQ Online 
Practice 
Resources
Skills Videos in iQ Online Practice

Presentation

& Practice
Collaboration through Communitive Grammar

iQ Online 
Practice 
Resources
Critical Thinking Skill 

iQ Online 
Practice
Students as researchers
The Unit Assignment 

Are you a good decision

maker?

Reading Reading Unit Your

1 2 Video ideas
Students as researchers

iQ Online 
Practice 
Resources

iQ Online 
Practice 
Resources

iQ Online 
Practice 
Resources
Writing Tutor in iQ Online Practice
Writing Tutor in iQ Online Practice
 Collaboration & Reflection

Peer Review  iQ Online 
Practice 
Worksheets Resources
Reflecting on Assessment 
 Final Reflection on the Unit Question

Online 
Discussion  iQ Online 
Practice
Board
Professional Development in Teacher’s Resources

Articles

Videos
Poll: What are you most excited about using? 

• An Inquiry-Based Approach
• Unit Videos
• Skills Videos
• Critical Thinking Videos
• iQ Online Practice
• iQ Teacher’s Resources
• Professional Development Resources
• Other?
References 
Amaral, O., Garrison, L. & Klentschy. M. (2002). Helping English learners increase
achievement through inquiry-based science instruction. Bilingual Research Journal,
26(2), 213-239.

Chu, S., Tse, S., Loh, K. & Chow, K. (2011). Collaborative inquiry project-based learning:
Effects on reading ability and interests. Library & Information Science Research,
33(3), 236-243.

Dobbler, M., Tanis, M., Zward, R.C., & Oers, B. (2017). Literature review: The role of
the teacher in inquiry-based education. Educational Research Review, 22, 194-
214.

Ismael, N. & Elias, S. (2006). Inquiry-based learning: A new approach to classroom

learning. English Language Journal, 2(1), 13-22.

Marshall, J. & Horton, R. (2011). The Relationship of teacher-facilitated, inquiry-based

instruction to student higher-order thinking. School Science and Mathematics, 93-
101.

Pedaste, M., Maeots, M., Silman, L. & de Jong, T. (2015). Phrases of inquiry-based
learning: Definitions and the inquiry cycle. Educational Research Review, 14, 47-61.
Questions? Comments? 

Email: cwardesl@me.com
OUP Blog: www.oupeltglobalblog.com
Personal Blog: www.englishendeavors.org