Dan Rothstein - Teach Students to Ask Their Own Questions

Dan Rothstein from the Right Question Institute discusses the development and impact of the Question Formulation Technique (QFT). Initially inspired by parents in a low-income community, the technique aims to empower students to ask their own questions, fostering engagement and deeper understanding. The QFT has been adopted in over a million classrooms worldwide, with teachers reporting increased student ownership and curiosity. The technique challenges traditional teaching methods by shifting the focus from teacher-led questioning to student-driven inquiry. This approach has led to the exploration of a new theory of learning centered around question formulation.

What was the initial problem faced by parents in Lawrence, Massachusetts, that led to the development of the Right Question Institute's work?

• Lack of access to educational resources

• Language barriers in communication

• Not knowing what questions to ask

• Inability to attend school meetings

What are the three types of thinking that the Question Formulation Technique encourages?

• Critical, analytical, and creative thinking

• Reflective, strategic, and practical thinking

• Divergent, convergent, and metacognitive thinking

• Logical, emotional, and intuitive thinking

In the kindergarten example, what assumption did the students question about the alligator picture?

• The size of the alligators

• The color of the alligators

• Whether it was a mama or daddy alligator

• The habitat of the alligators

How did the fourth-grade students begin to understand variables through the QFT?

• By asking questions about a simple equation

• By reading a textbook chapter

• By memorizing definitions

• By solving complex equations

What is one of the surprising findings about closed-ended questions in the QFT?

• They are only useful for advanced students

• They should be avoided in classroom settings

• They help unpack overwhelming open-ended questions

• They are less useful than open-ended questions

What potential does the QFT have according to the emerging theory of learning?

• It enhances learning by working with one's own questions

• It replaces traditional teaching methods

• It simplifies the learning process

• It focuses solely on memorization

How has the adoption of the QFT impacted teachers' experiences in the classroom?

• Teachers find it more challenging to manage classrooms

• Teachers report no significant change in student engagement

• Teachers experience greater joy as students take ownership of their learning

• Teachers feel overwhelmed by the number of questions