Promoting high quality interactions with learners

27th November 2009

Effective Questioning

- find out where the learner is
- check level of understanding and prior knowledge
- 'who is at what point?'
- challenge thinking

- encourage laughter
- encourage opinions
- encourage self assessment

- to review progress
- to plan for progress
- 'where to from here'
- to 'add more'
- to move forward
- to work out what needs to be done

- to provide feedback and motivation
- to develop relationships
- to encourage thinking
- to 'bridge' gaps
- to overcome fear; develop confidence

Why do we ask questions?
(in general: pattern 0f importance to this group - it was noted this will vary according to situation and context in which they are working; emphasis will be different; mixed range of ability, knowledge and experience)
eg:
- find out what learners want to know
- identify , diagnose difficulties or blocks to learning
- structure tasks to maximise learning
- stimulate interest
- to focus on an issue or topic
- promote thinking
- stimulate to ask questions
- manage and organise learning behaviour
- give opportunity to assess and learn through discussion

* focus on AQTF standards - depth and breadth of knowledge; rather than TP's!

Strategies

Do you really expect an answer or are you using questions as a prompt?

Think about use of questioning - frame questions where you want people to 'open up'
key messages: prepare, plan, work out what you want to achieve, sequence, open questions (talk and explore ideas)

Be confident to 'wait and put back to group' - don't always jump in b4 response...allow time for 'talking'; use and share wisdom of the group. Using group and giving space to stimulate responses from group.

have a framework of questions in 'our head'
*Dave Rumsey's framework for VET questioning
'stems' eg What would you do if...? What would you do instead...?

Link to dimensions of competency!
enabling us to gather evidence in different situations (transfer skills)