Art of

Questioning
What is a question?
o A question is any statement – even nonverbal that invites an
answer.

o A question is only as good as the answer evokes, and question

thus contribute to success or failure across different context.

Source: Asking Effective Questions by Olivier Serrat

What is questioning?
o It is vital tool of human thought and social interaction which
opens doors to data, information, knowledge, and wisdom.

o The art and science of questioning lies in knowing what to ask

when.
Convergent/Direct/Closed Question
o Answers are limited – single word or short answers
o Lower level of cognition
o Factual information that can be memorized
o Doesn’t necessarily develop a deep understanding
o Test of understanding
Divergent/Indirect/Open
o Higher level of cognition
o Knowledge used to solve, analyze, and evaluate problems/situations.
o Deep understanding is needed to answer
o Elicit longer answers
o Asks for knowledge, opinions or feelings
o What? Why? How? Tell me. . . Describe. . .
o Good for:
• developing more open conversation
• finding more detail
 LEVELS OF
COMPREHENSION
FROM A
QUESTION
 Literal

o The answer is directly stated in the material.

(written or spoken)
 Interpretive

o The answer is based upon details in the material but

not directly stated.
 Critical

o Is a judgment about the accuracy or truth of the

material asked for.
 Creative

o Does the question asks for something new?

o Create a new idea
o What would you have done if you were in his/her
place?
o What do you think had happened before this, after
this?
THE PURPOSE
o It is an assessment technique that allows teachers
to check for comprehension at various level.

o Through questions, we can help learners to expand

their knowledge and think creatively - outside the
box.
THE PURPOSE
o To check for understanding

o To help learners to learn/retain lessons learned

o To promote active participation

o To promote higher level of thinking skills

GOOD QUESTIONS
o Must be on the subject matter

o Must be clear

o Use good grammar

o Avoid question that contains the answer(never

answer your own question)
GOOD QUESTIONS
o Avoid questions with yes/no answers

o Limit questions that rely completely on memory

o Use correct terminology and vocabulary

QUESTIONING
TECHNIQUES
ADVANTAGES
o Prompts active participation which helps retention
o Clarification(check for understanding). A learner
who does not understand a point will silently dwell
on it while you’re going ahead. In effect you have
lost him for the balance of the lesson.
o You can gauge how effective your teaching is.
HOW TO POSE
A QUESTION
ASK THE GROUP
o Many learners feel apprehensive if they know the teacher is
going to ask them a question. They feel relieved when they
know the question is going to be posed to someone else.
o The typical reaction when posed to someone else is to stop
thinking about the answer, relying on the other learner to
supply the correct information/answer.
o One of your objectives is to get every learner thinking about
the answer to the question.
ASK THE GROUP
o Many learners feel apprehensive if they know the teacher is
going to ask them a question. They feel relieved when they
know the question is going to be posed to someone else.
o Avoid directing question to a learner for disciplinary reasons.
ASK “w” questions
o Posing questions with words
WHO WHAT WHERE WHY WHEN
• These are the key words that will improve your
questions and help you to secure facts, information
and a specific response
ASK for depth
o Asking the learner for examples, explanations,
references, reasoning behind thinking will reinforce
learning.

o Follow up a learner response with tell me more…

What makes you say that..?
Be precise
o Make sure question is understood.
o If there are several key factors in the question it helps
to write it out for the learners to see as well as hear
Avoid grilling
o Ask learner in a positive manner. It helps the learner to
think, to reinforce, to improve attention and retention.
o Be helpful. Be positive even with a wrong answer or no
answer.. Suggest answer yourself, hint or prompt a learner.
o Avoid embarrassing students by continued questioning.
Switch to another learner.

o Berating one learner also negatively affects other learners.

Remember!!!
• Good questioning technique
encourages class participation, keeps
class alert and promotes retention.
Remember!!!
• Do not interrupt a learner right after
the question has been asked.
• Give time to answer