Description:
In this think‑piece, we explore a fundamental shift in mindset: asking questions not to get answers, but to get students thinking. In most professions, we ask questions because we want information. But teaching is different — we usually already know the answer. Yet many teachers ask a question, get one reply, say “Great, we’ve all got it,” and move on. But only one child answered. And often it’s the same child.
In this video, we explore:
- Why traditional questioning only checks the understanding of one student
- How hand‑raising and opt‑in answers let others avoid thinking
- Why a single correct answer creates a false sense of whole‑class understanding
- Dan Willingham’s principle: memory is the residue of thought
- Why the goal of questioning must be to increase thinking, not just gather answers
- How to redesign questioning to target every student, not just volunteers
- How this mindset shift leads to deeper learning, better retention, and more equitable participation
High‑impact strategies:
- Mini whiteboards
- Cold calling
- Hands‑down questioning
- Whole‑class response systems
The question you ask is important — but what matters even more is who is thinking when you ask it.
???? Watch to learn how shifting your questioning intention can transform engagement, understanding, and long‑term learning.
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