Module 3: Questioning Techniques

Questions help teachers gather evidence of learning and help students organise their thinking. Good questions increase engagement, reveal misconceptions and encourage deeper understanding.

Lesson 2: Open vs Closed Questions

Closed questions check factual recall. Open questions encourage explanation, reasoning and discussion.

  • Closed: What is 7 × 8?
  • Open: How did you work out 7 × 8?

    • Lesson 3: Checking Understanding

    Questioning should happen throughout a lesson, not just at the end. Regular checks help identify misconceptions before they become learning gaps.

    Classroom Applications

    • Ask short diagnostic questions throughout the lesson.
    • Use mini whiteboards for whole-class responses.
    • Use exit tickets before students leave.
    • Check every student, not just volunteers.

    Lesson 4: Think Time and Wait Time

    Students need time to think. Research consistently shows that increasing wait time improves both participation and answer quality.

    Classroom Applications

    • Ask the question first.
    • Pause for 3 to 5 seconds.
    • Resist the urge to answer your own question.
    • Invite responses after thinking time.

    Lesson 5: Probing Questions

    Probing questions help students explain their thinking rather than simply providing answers.

    Examples

    • Why do you think that?
    • Can you explain your reasoning?
    • What evidence supports your answer?
    • Can you give another example?
    • How did you arrive at that conclusion?

    Lesson 6: Encouraging Participation

    Effective questioning involves all learners. Teachers should avoid relying solely on volunteers.

    Strategies

    • Think-Pair-Share
    • Random name selection
    • Cold calling after think time
    • Partner discussions before whole-class responses

    Lesson 7: Higher Order Thinking Questions

    Some questions require students to analyse, evaluate and create rather than simply recall information.

    Examples

    • What would happen if...?
    • Which solution is most effective and why?
    • How could this idea be improved?
    • Can you compare these approaches?
    • What evidence would strengthen this argument?

    Key Takeaways

    • Questioning is a teaching strategy, not just an assessment tool.
    • Open questions encourage deeper thinking.
    • Wait time improves participation.
    • Probing questions reveal understanding.
    • Higher-order questions develop critical thinking.

    Classroom Challenge

    Plan five deliberate questions for your next lesson:

    • One recall question
    • One open question
    • One probing question
    • One participation question
    • One higher-order thinking question

    Professional Reflection

    Which questioning strategy could have the greatest impact on your teaching right now?



    What specific change will you implement during your next lesson?

    Module Completion

    Congratulations on completing Module 3: Questioning Techniques. When you're ready, mark this module as complete to unlock the next stage of your professional learning.


    Next Module

    Module 4: Assessment for Learning

    Learn how to gather evidence of learning, provide meaningful feedback and make instructional decisions based on assessment information.

    Go to Module 4