EDUC 450: Reading #6 – Technique Isn’t Everything, But It Is a Lot

For me, this article provided some clear and concise reasoning as to why inquiry style questions can yield more insight to our students’ thought processes when used in a classroom setting. The questions we should be asking are exactly like those an interviewer employs. When talking with our students, we want to coax out as much and as often as possible their “inner voice”. By asking for clarification instead of using leading questions, encouraging more in depth explanations, and interpreting body language as further means of communication, we may be able to understand all that a student is trying to say or what they are hesitant to share. When engaging with students, or even my peers, I often try to supplement conversations with comments to demonstrate active listening and to try and understand what is being explained. However, I now feel that I must be careful to avoid misguiding conversations by supplying my own thoughts. It is more important to create an environment that students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and being able to use their “inner voice” with little or no hesitation.

Being able to interpret the many situations we will encounter with our students and trying to incorporate inquiry type questions will require practice. Yet if we ensure to equip ourselves with various techniques as well as learn to be self-aware of the types of questions we tend to formulate, then new practices can replace old habits.