Questioning Techniques

& Self Directed

learning The importance of asking the right question.

Andrews 2013

Self Directed Learning

Elizabeth Andrews

AET/531 Technology for the Adult Learner

May 26, 2014

Dr. Terri Bubb

Andrews 2014

The Socratic Method

An animated short on the Socratic Method:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-q3s79w8SQ

Socratic Method Defined

The Socratic Method is named after the Greek Philosopher Socrates and is a student-centered approach to teaching that challenges learners to develop their critical thinking skills and engage in analytic discussion (Coffey, 2014).

5 Basic Questions about Gardening

1. How do gardeners promote and sustain genetic diversity in garden plants and crops?

2. How do gardeners solve pest problems organically?

3. How can gardening benefit households?

4. What are organic gardening techniques?

5. What home gardening methods are useful to new gardeners?

Andrews 2012

Question 1

Socratic:

Research ways a home gardener can help maintain and promote genetic diversity in garden plants and crops. Choose one that you would use

and explain why.

Original:

How do gardeners promote and sustain genetic diversity in garden plants and crops?

Question 2

Socratic:

Why do you think gardeners choose chemical pest control over organic methods?

Original:

How do gardeners solve pest problems organically?

Question 3

Socratic:

List and explain a minimum of 5 benefits gardening can have on an American household, please defend

your answers with references and data.

Original:

How can gardening benefit households?Andrews

2014

Question 4

Socratic:

List and explain 3 organic gardening techniques new gardeners are likely to succeed with. Support your answers with

research.

Original:

What are organic gardening techniques?

Question 5

Socratic:

Create a visual organizer that compares 4 vegetable gardening methods including their ease of maintenance,

cost, yield, and size requirements.

Original:

What home gardening methods are useful to new gardeners?

The Socratic Method: Problem Based and Independent

LearningThe combination of the Socratic Method and

well thought out questions sets students up for successful learning experiences. When students are asked questions that challenge the way they perceive a specific topic or issue, they are forced to independently search for the answers they need.

Socratic questioning also lends itself to problem based learning through group or peer discourse, debate, and research. With the complex questions of the Socratic style, groups must question each other and their findings to come to an agreed upon solution to the proposed problem.

SummaryThe use the best possible questions, ones that forces

students to go beyond a “yes” or “no” answer leads students on a discovery of new knowledge through independent research and discovery. These questions usually center on major concerns, problems, and interests of the student while also spurring new thoughts and questions in the student. This will provide the momentum for continuous need for knowledge.

According to Paul, Martin, and Adamson (1989), Questions define tasks, express problems and delineate issues. Answers on the other hand, often signal a full stop in thought. Only when an answer generates a further question does thought continue its life as such. This is why it is true that only students who have questions are really thinking and learning.

References

ariadeneCA. Socrates Movie [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-q3s79w8SQ

Coffey, H. (2014). Learn NC. Retrieved from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4994

Ed Paul, R. W., Martin, D., & Adamson, K. (1989). Critical thinking handbook: high school, a guide for redesigning instruction. Rohnert Park, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking.