Characteristics of Questions

By: Amy Callendar-Taft

Open

These are questions that are asked to make you think, research, develop an answer. They are often not simple questions and typically begin with what or why. They allow you to give an opinion and promote topic exploration. These are best used when you want your students to reflect. It allows the person answering to have some control.

What are your thoughts on...?
How do you feel about...?
Why is that so important to you?

Closed

These are question that require short quick answers and are often used in tests. They are direct questions with direct answers. These questions are answered with yes, no or a short phrase. They give facts and keep the control with the questioner.

What is your name?
Where do you live?
Are you feeling well?

Question Format

Direct/Indirect Questions

Direct questions are "normal" questions that we would often ask family and friends in regular conversation.

Indirect questions are a little more formal and polite. This type of questioning may be used with a stranger of someone you do not know as well.

Direct

Indirect

Where is the bathroom?
Can you finish the assignment by tomorrow?
How did you get in shape so quick?
What time does the class start?

Could you please tell me where the bathroom is?
Would you be able to finish the assignment by tomorrow?
Would it be possible to share with me how you got in shape so quickly?
Do you know what time the bank opens?

Degree of Concreteness

Solution Focused

These are questions centered around how a problem can be fixed and what is needed to do so. The result of the question is often the solution to the problem. This type of questioning is good to use with students because you a promoting problem solving instead of excuse making. The problem with this type of questioning is it does not always focus on why there was a problem in the first place.

What do I need to do to get a better grade?
How can I better participate in class?

Problem Focused

These are the questions that try to get to the root of the problem. The problem with these questions is what if there is not a specific problem? These questions also allow for students to make excuses instead of finding solutions. For instance, a student gets and F on a test and asks, "What is wrong with me?" well there is nothing wrong with the student they just need to figure out what they need to do to improve their understanding. Or, you ask your student, "Why didn't you do your homework?" Of course this opens up a variety of creative excuses but no solution to the problem of the missing homework. Problem Focused questions are not always bad but, I feel that if you use one it really should be followed up with a solution focused question.

Pose

The question to the class

Pause

To give students time to think

Pounce

Bounce

On a student to answer

The answer onto another student for an opinion

Pose

give the context of the approach to the students.
Ask that all hands stay down.
Give the question(s) and ask the students to be reflective
Pause and wait as long as possible before having someone answer.

Pause

Ask the students to think a little longer.
Ask them to think about is again.
Are they really reflecting?

Pounce

Bounce

Ask one or two students directly and quickly for a response.
know who you are going to ask ahead of time.
Give them time to respond.
Offer support only if they need it.

If the first student cannot answer bounce it to the next.
Bounce the response to another student for their opinion.
Keep bouncing to ensure the question has been fully answered.
Engage as many students as possible.

How it relates to Special Education

I think this relates to students with special needs a couple different ways.

1. I think it is important as teachers that we examine how we are asking these students questions. Are we asking a question in a way they understand? Are we asking a question that challenges them as much as the other students? Are the questions we ask our SPED students questions that engage them and make them think? These are all questions we need to ask ourselves when questioning any student including our student's with special needs. We need to know our students to know what type of question they need. Some students think very literally and need a direct question that they can answer directly in return. Some have limited vocabulary and also need closed questions that can be answered with simply response. Yet, others may have the ability for more abstract and in depth thinking and can handle a more indirect, open question.

2. It is also important to teach our students with special needs how to appropriately ask questions. This will help them in many ways. It will give them good communication skills, help them find solutions to problems by asking help from others, help them express their wants and help them become more independent.

How this relates to me...

I do not feel that there is a right or wrong way in general to ask a question. I believe that it depends on the circumstances in which you are asking and who you are asking the question to. As a teacher I want to teach my students all the various characteristics of questions and when is best to use certain types. I would like to help my students develop the skills to be able to communicate their needs with myself and their peers and to be able to communicate their needs out in the community. Some of my students will not be able to fully ask and answer questions but, I want to help them do as much as they can.