During this week's lecture, Dr. Lina covered the "Effective Use of Questions as a Teaching Strategy." Before kicking off the class, she noted minor changes to the group teaching assignment, extending the presentation deadline from November 27th to November 29th. By the end of the session, our goal is to grasp the concept of learning objectives and present it to our peers. We'll also learn to evaluate objectives using the SMART model and craft objectives incorporating various Bloom's Taxonomy cognitive skills.
Dr. Lina initiated the discussion by asking us to define learning objectives. These objectives aim to offer measurable outcomes for learners to anticipate achieving during the course, emphasising the need for a clear action-driven verb, defined conditions, and acceptable performance levels in a good learning objective.
Highlighting the importance of learning objectives, she emphasised how these objectives inform learners about what to expect from the course, guide instructors on focus areas, and provide measurable benchmarks for learners. The SMART model, she explained, ensures clear, achievable objectives within a specified timeframe.
Moving on, Dr. Lina stressed that good learning objectives should encompass Bloom's Taxonomy, delineating desired skills and abilities for learners to master and exhibit. This taxonomy, she elaborated, categorises different intellectual skills and encourages instructors to aim for higher cognitive skills that lead to comprehensive learning and skill transfer across tasks and contexts.
Students were given time to present their group's learning objectives, after which Dr. Lina delved into the significance of questioning. She regarded questioning as a pivotal tool for educators to aid students in comprehending and engaging with course material effectively. Exploring different question types - convergent, divergent, focal, brainstorm, shotgun, and funnel - she also introduced the question circles method, merging subject matter, personal response, and external environment to foster higher-order thinking skills.
Discussing the principles of effective questioning encompassing clarity, psychological safety, sequencing, balanced questioning, wait time, and avoiding overuse of recall-type questions, Dr. Lina concluded by emphasising the challenge of promoting higher-order critical thinking when lower-order questions dominate classroom interactions.
The lecture on using questioning as a teaching strategy intrigued me because it highlighted the power of questioning in education. Knowing that the group teaching session was extended provided a sense of relief; this extension would grant us ample time to practise and refine our presentation skills, ensuring we could deliver our best performance.
Understanding the significance of learning objectives caught my attention. Learning objectives serve a crucial role in guiding learners, informing them about what they can expect to achieve throughout a course or class. This clarity is fundamental to effective learning experiences.
Discovering the importance of Bloom’s taxonomy was inspiring. It revealed how this framework prompts educators to approach learning objectives from a behavioural perspective. This method challenges instructors to consider not just what students should learn but also how they should demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
Moreover, uncovering the existence of six distinct questioning methods—convergent, divergent, focal, brainstorm, shotgun, and funnel—sparked my interest. Each method likely offers unique ways to engage students and stimulate critical thinking in the classroom.
The lecture on using questioning in teaching evokes memories from my early schooling days when teachers frequently engaged us by prompting responses on the whiteboard. This approach of active questioning seems reminiscent of that classroom experience.
The activity involving the creation of learning objectives linked to various Bloom's Taxonomy cognitive skills brings to mind specific modules from my first year, such as "Behaviour and Classroom Management" and "Understanding Learners and Learning." In those modules, we were tasked with crafting lesson plans as part of our assignments, somewhat similar to this activity.
Reflecting on the importance of learning objectives, I recall our past experience during the Education Showcase where we engaged in micro-teaching. We had to communicate to learners what they could expect to learn or achieve throughout our course or class—a crucial aspect emphasised during that showcase.
The significance of Bloom's Taxonomy takes me back to Dr. Sharimila's CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) lesson plan, where the application of Bloom's Taxonomy was encouraged in our lesson objectives. It's intriguing to see this principle resurface in the current context.
Regarding the six types of questioning methods, it resonates with how we previously utilised similar techniques during presentations, prompting engagement and interaction by asking the audience various types of questions. This connection highlights the versatility and applicability of these questioning methods across different learning and communication settings.
Faculty often perceive learning objectives as mere administrative obligations, detached from teaching and student performance. However, instructional designers emphasise their crucial role: guiding students' focused engagement with content (Mitchell & Manzo, 2018).
Locke and Latham's theory asserts that effective objective statements should specify desired positive changes, measurable indicators, and achievable levels to drive goal attainment. The SMART model aligns with these criteria, ensuring goal clarity (Ogbeiwi, 2017).
Bloom's taxonomy distinguishes cognitive skill levels, advocating for objectives that demand higher cognitive abilities to facilitate deeper learning and broader skill application (Adams, 2015).
These principles culminate in Student Learning Objectives, aiding DPS teachers in emphasising impactful standards, setting challenging objectives, and monitoring student progress. By backward planning from the goal of student success, this strategy aligns every instructional minute with the district's vision of Every Child Succeeds (Briggs et al., 2019).
Bloom's taxonomy underscores cognitive complexity, emphasising higher levels involving applying, analysing, evaluating, and creating, versus lower levels focusing on memorization and comprehension (Anderson et al., 2001).
The questioning-centred classroom approach is deemed one of the most effective ways to foster learning in children. Yet, its success hinges on teachers' mastery of questioning techniques, transforming questioning into an art. Effective questioning involves thought-provoking inquiries, urging students to think critically (Yang, 2020).
Well-crafted questions spark discussion, offer diverse perspectives, and promote thorough exploration. Conversely, poorly structured questions can intimidate, restrict original thought, and hinder learning. Often, teachers resort to lower-order, convergent questions based on factual recall, neglecting higher-order, divergent questions that encourage deep analysis and evaluation (Tofade et al., 2013).
Employing question circles or probing inquiries aids in transitioning from superficial answers to in-depth discussions, fostering critical thinking. Encouraging students to delve into topics, present opposing views, and defend their perspectives sharpens their cognitive abilities (Christenbury & Kelly, 1983).
Implementing questioning as a cornerstone of my teaching methodology is fundamental in fostering a more interactive and engaging classroom environment. It offers students the opportunity to actively participate in discussions, enabling them to think critically, express their thoughts, and deepen their understanding of the subject matter. By encouraging questions, I aim to create an inclusive learning space where students feel empowered to explore concepts, contribute to discussions, and enhance their overall learning experience.
References
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student learning objectives for classroom assessment and teacher evaluation. Journal of
Educational Measurement, 56(4), 686-714. https://doi.org/10.1111/jedm.12233
Christenbury, L., & Kelly P. P. (1983). Questioning: A path to critical thinking. National Council of
Teachers of English. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED226372.pdf
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (1990). A theory of goal setting & task performance. Prentice-Hall.
Mitchell, K. M. W., & Manzo, W. R. (2018). The purpose and perception of learning objectives.
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https://doi.org/10.1080/15512169.2018.1433542
Ogbeiwi, O. (2017). Why written objectives need to be really SMART. British Journal of
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Yang, X. (2020). The art of questioning in English classroom in junior middle school. Journal of
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