Out of the Question

Asking questions and caring about the answers is a pivotal part of becoming an independent learner. In this handy practical, the authors provide strategies that help students and teachers effectively and critically evaluate what they read, see, hear, and do. Out of the Question explores such key issues as:

• why ask questions;
• nurturing questions in the classroom;
• promoting deeper thinking;
• generating an emotional response;
• encouraging creativity;
• building questioning skills; and
• assessing the questioning process.

The core activities in this practical guide focus on formulating questions that uncover what is relevant, what is of interest, what is legitimate, what is authentic, and what requires further investigation. It examines the role of teacher and student in answering and asking questions, looks at the structure of questions, and offers rubrics and checklists for assessment.