Course Description

While asking questions may seem a simple task, it is perhaps the most powerful tool we possess as teachers. Knowing that effective questioning is the foundation for successful implementation of logical reasoning in the classroom, four opportunities for questioning have been identified (Texas and Jones 2013). One of the biggest challenges facing todays’ educators is addressing more rigorous standards that have now been adopted by many states. Students are required to develop deeper understandings of their content. Whether it is a contextual problem to solve in mathematics, a scientific investigation to perform, a piece of text to analyze, or interpreting historical events students are engaging in logical reasoning. A good question can excite, disturb, or comfort, and eventually yield an unexpected bounty of understanding and critical awareness.

This course will look at four key ideas relating to questioning:

  • What is Effective Questioning?
  • Types of Questions
  • The Four Opportunities for Questioning
  • Questioning in Action

Along the way we will look at why we ask questions. What are effective questions? We will identify different types of questions that are most often used by educators. Participants will have the opportunity to work with Tammy in learning how to design effective questions. Participants will see how educators can incorporate the use of effective questions in their daily instruction. Finally, a questioning structure and a bridging model that allows students to learn to create questions themselves will be shared. Along the way, many samples of questions that span across all disciplines will be shared as well.

Lead Instructor

Tammy Jones

Meet Your Instructor An educator since 1979, Tammy L. Jones has worked with students from first grade through college. Currently, Tammy is consulting with individual school districts in training teachers on strategies for making content accessible to all learners. Writing integrations as well as literacy connections are foundational in everything Tammy does. Tammy also works with teachers on effective techniques for being successful in the classroom. As a classroom teacher Tammy’s goal was that all students understand and appreciate the content they were studying; that they could read it, write it, explore it, and communicate it with confidence; and that they would be able to use the content as they need to in their lives. Tammy believes that logical reasoning, followed by a well-reasoned presentation of results, is central to the process of learning, and that this learning happens most effectively in a cooperative, student-centered classroom. Tammy believes that learning is experiential and in her current consulting work creates and shares engaging and effective educational experiences.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    What is Effective Questioning?

    • Opens Monday, October 24th

  • 2

    Types of Questions

    • Opens Monday, October 31st

  • 3

    The Four Opportunities for Questioning

    • Opens Monday, November 7th

  • 4

    Questioning in Action

    • Opens Monday, November 14th

Pricing options

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