Discussion Post: Reflection and Application
This module has made me more aware of the types of questions I ask during class and how they impact student engagement and learning. I realized that I tend to rely heavily on closed and procedural questions—those that often lead to short, definitive answers. While these types of questions have their place, especially for checking understanding or guiding students through steps, they don’t always encourage deeper thinking or discussion.
One key takeaway for me is the value of open-ended questions and the importance of increasing wait time after asking them. Open questions invite students to explore ideas, justify their thinking, and engage more meaningfully with the content. I also appreciate the strategy of using closed questions as a stepping stone to open ones—for example, starting with a factual question to build confidence, then following up with a more exploratory prompt.
Moving forward, I plan to be more intentional in my questioning. I’ll prepare a mix of question types in advance and consciously allow more time for students to think and respond. I believe this shift will foster a more dynamic and inclusive classroom environment.
