Value of questioning and answering in the classroom
Sunday, 30 August 2009
M A Islam
WHAT a teacher discusses in the class is important for any learner. In the class, students might have some queries in mind. They ask questions to the teacher in the middle of the lecture or at the end of the lecture. In order to facilitate proper learning environment, the exchange of question and answer (Q and A) should be made most interesting task for both the teacher and the students. How to make it most interesting?
First, the teacher should clearly tell the students his or her preferred time of taking questions. Some teachers might like to take questions while lecturing, some might like to take questions time to time basis- when he or she would seek questions, some might like questions at the end of the lecture. Students need to solve their queries according to the preferred time of the lecturer.
Second, students need to read the lessons to be discussed in advance. This will make them mentally prepared for the lecture. Also while reading they might have some questions in mind. If those questions are not addressed in the teacher's lecture, they may ask those to the teacher.
Third, teachers need to encourage the students to ask questions. The teacher's target should be to make the most shy student of the class to speak out, to ask questions. Also, teachers need to handle every question patiently. In case the teacher does not know the answer, he or she should not give false answer only to show himself/herself smart. In such a situation, teachers should be frank-after all one may not know everything. Teachers should, however, try to give the answer in the following class.
Fourth, fellow students also need to be very cooperative. Sometimes a classmate may ask silly questions, but other classmates should not laugh at it. Others should be very friendly. Sometimes students might get good knowledge about an issue by asking seemingly 'silly question'.
Fifth, students need to be regular in understanding their lessons. Today's lessons should be solved today. They should not keep the task of asking questions pending for day after day. If they do so, they will not have proper understanding about many lessons.
Introducing and maintaining healthy Q and A session is a must for achieving better results.
WHAT a teacher discusses in the class is important for any learner. In the class, students might have some queries in mind. They ask questions to the teacher in the middle of the lecture or at the end of the lecture. In order to facilitate proper learning environment, the exchange of question and answer (Q and A) should be made most interesting task for both the teacher and the students. How to make it most interesting?
First, the teacher should clearly tell the students his or her preferred time of taking questions. Some teachers might like to take questions while lecturing, some might like to take questions time to time basis- when he or she would seek questions, some might like questions at the end of the lecture. Students need to solve their queries according to the preferred time of the lecturer.
Second, students need to read the lessons to be discussed in advance. This will make them mentally prepared for the lecture. Also while reading they might have some questions in mind. If those questions are not addressed in the teacher's lecture, they may ask those to the teacher.
Third, teachers need to encourage the students to ask questions. The teacher's target should be to make the most shy student of the class to speak out, to ask questions. Also, teachers need to handle every question patiently. In case the teacher does not know the answer, he or she should not give false answer only to show himself/herself smart. In such a situation, teachers should be frank-after all one may not know everything. Teachers should, however, try to give the answer in the following class.
Fourth, fellow students also need to be very cooperative. Sometimes a classmate may ask silly questions, but other classmates should not laugh at it. Others should be very friendly. Sometimes students might get good knowledge about an issue by asking seemingly 'silly question'.
Fifth, students need to be regular in understanding their lessons. Today's lessons should be solved today. They should not keep the task of asking questions pending for day after day. If they do so, they will not have proper understanding about many lessons.
Introducing and maintaining healthy Q and A session is a must for achieving better results.