What is one effective questioning technique during instruction?

Encouraging elaborative responses is an effective questioning technique during instruction because it promotes deeper engagement and critical thinking among participants. This approach allows students to expand on their answers, share their reasoning, and connect ideas, which not only enhances their understanding of the material but also fosters a collaborative learning environment. Through elaborative responses, instructors can gauge the students’ comprehension and adapt the lesson accordingly, clarifying concepts and highlighting areas that may require further exploration.

This technique contrasts with leading questions, which can guide respondents toward a particular answer, potentially stifling genuine thought and discussion. Exclusively using closed questions may limit responses to simple yes or no answers, failing to engage students or assess their understanding thoroughly. Randomly picking participants to answer questions may not create a supportive atmosphere conducive to elaboration, as it could make some students feel unprepared or anxious. Therefore, encouraging elaborative responses is a critical technique in fostering a dynamic, interactive instructional experience.