Well, we all listen and understand what we wish to. This communication gap between speaker and listener is worse when addressed to a group of people. And in case of teachers it gets convoluted as questions are fired at teachers from the other end.
Though we can’t teach students to ask questions we can definitely help them develop a thinking pattern and teach them the skills of effective communication which can eventually help them with the art of raising a question.
The art of questing is closely related to the thinking skills. Let’s see the relation they have as to make students a better questioner.
For any being the process of asking question begins with a thought that is unanswered. Now students do the same when teachers are speaking to students on a particular topic every student in the classroom perceives it in a different manner and in here the thinking skills play a key role. People gather, organize, and analyze information and then reach conclusions that make sense to them. And the questions come in context when the student faces a problem in coordinating these different aspects to a thought/problem.
To understand better, the theory of constructivism in relation to thinking skills would be of help to you. Read below to understand the whole concept:
Underlying the constructivist theory and its goals is recognition of the value of the student as thinker. Without an appreciation of and a belief in the capability and value of the student’s thinking ability, constructivism would not exist. After all, why would we need to understand the student’s point of view if the teacher’s view is the only one that matters?
The ability to think is in direct relation to the ability to ask and consider important questions.
People are not simply receptacles of information. Indeed, the whole constructivist theory rests on this belief. People gather, organize, and analyze information and then reach conclusions that make sense to them.
Why is being an effective questioner essential to being an effective thinker and learner?
With access to much more information than before it has become even more important that students understand the importance of these skills as the nature of information has become dynamic. In the face of such rapid and exponential change, no one can rely solely on experience and accumulated knowledge. Content mastery is not a static state but an evolving and lifelong process.
The workplace and schools increasingly call for teams of people to work effectively to analyze and resolve issues. It is important not only to ask the right questions but also to ask them in a logical sequence. Without a sequential questioning strategy, groups often flounder, go off track, or overlook essential information.
The goals of constructivism are commendable and straightforward: helping students become autonomous learners and thinkers, explore important questions, and build and integrate deeper understandings of knowledge. The teaching community believes in the potential of a child’s thinking ability and the right direction can help students unravel problems from innovation hidden in their imagination that can actually help the humankind. After all, Curiosity is the mother of all inventions.
And of course, the challenges are there not just in implementing the theory but to develop strategies to help students with the same.
But to help yourself watch out for the second part of this article addressing the challenges faced by educators while teaching students the art of questioning.
Make sure your take on the importance of the art of questioning in the comment section below.
