Power of Our Words: Open-Ended Questions

What is an open-ended question?

• Questions for which there is no single right or wrong answer
• A question right from the book
• When we explain why we wrote up a student
• A true/false question

Why should we ask open-ended questions?

• To annoy our students
• To buy us time to think
• To encourage our students' inquisitiveness and engagement
• to make class last longer

Name one reason that open-ended questions are so powerful.

• They nurture a sense of community.
• Students get to talk a lot.
• They take up class time.
• They are easy to write.

Open-ended questions encourage self-awareness and reflection, which helps students to learn.

• true
• false

Which would be an example of an open-ended question?

• Did you punch Tommy?
• What was the setting of the story?
• What is 95 and 88?
• Where else do you see this type of problem in our society?

What would be an example of a time when you want to ask a close-ended question?

• To get specific information
• to hurry up the class
• to get students to be quiet
• to explain why you are so mad

Collaboration is a major goal for asking open-ended questions.

• false
• true

How can you make open-ended questioning even more powerful?

• turn it into a competition
• provide wait time
• always call on the same students
• give candy

What would be an example of encouraging multiple responses?

• How many different ways can you think of to.....
• Give rewards to everyone who answers
• ask someone to tally all the responses
• grade students for answering

Which one is not an example of a cueing prompt for open-ended questioning?

• Did you cheat on that test?
• How did you help a classmate today?
• Why should you show integrity?
• What do you predict will happen next?