High Level Thinking and Questioning Strategies. Research Brief


Book Description

Higher-order thinking is an instructional strategy supported by research. Often referred to as critical thinking skills, it is more than simple recall of facts or information. It is a function of the interaction between cognitive strategies, meta-cognition, and nonstrategic knowledge when solving problems. Higher-order thinking is based on the concepts in the cognitive domain of Bloom's Taxonomy. It suggests that some types of learning require more cognitive processing than others. Bloom's Taxonomy suggests that skills involving analysis, evaluation and synthesis are of a higher order, requiring different instructional practices. It also suggests that higher-order thinking involves "the learning of complex judgmental skills such as critical thinking and problem solving." Higher-order thinking is thought to be more useful because such skills (analysis, synthesis) are considered more likely to be useable in situations other than those in which the skill was initially learned. Questioning is one of the "essential nine" instructional practices identified by Marzano, Pickering & Pollock, 2001). It is closely linked to higher-level thinking and Bloom's Taxonomy. While teachers' use of questions is predominantly low-level, professional development can help teachers develop the skill to design and use questions that engage students in higher-level instructional processes. (Contains 14 resources.).




Quality Questioning


Book Description

Realize the potential of quality questioning for student thinking and learning Jackie Walsh and Beth Sattes present quality questioning as a process that begins with the preparation of questions to engage all students in thinking and culminates in the facilitation of dialogue that takes learning deeper. This new edition of the bestseller organizes questioning practices around the 6Ps framework, composed of Prepare and Present the Question, Prompt Student Thinking, Process Student Responses, Polish Questioning Practices, and Partner with Students. It extends and expands on timeless principles while adding significant new research-based practices and insights derived from the authors’ own learning with and from classroom teachers. Designed for immediate classroom use, this guide includes: Graphics, tools, and strategies to develop student skills and create a classroom culture that nurtures thinking and learning QR codes that link to more than twenty new videos depicting students and teachers from elementary through high school Tools and strategies to support teacher engagement in personal reflection, classroom observations, and collaborative dialogue that improve personal practice This exciting new book demonstrates how to seamlessly integrate effective questioning strategies into daily practice, thereby energizing teaching and learning. "Questions are the most important tool in a teacher’s toolbox. Walsh and Sattes teach us how to sharpen those tools and use the right ones to maximize learning. They understand that questioning isn’t interrogation, but rather frames dialogic instruction. You can see this come to life in the videos throughout this book! Quality Questioning belongs on every thoughtful educator’s bookshelf." —Nancy Frey, Professor, Department of Educational Leadership San Diego State University, CA "If you’re ready to shift your purpose for questioning from answer-getting to provoking higher-order thinking, this book is a must-read. Never again will you take questioning for granted." —Connie Hamilton, EdS, Curriculum Director Saranac (Michigan) Community Schools "Reading this book is like chatting with an amazing professional friend and mentor. It’s a joy to read, to ponder, and to use as a constant resource. —Susan Hudson, Educational Consultant and Former Exemplary Educator Tennessee Department of Education "A must-read for all teachers who continually strive to improve their practice to better impact student learning." —Betsy Rogers, EdD, 2003 National Teacher of the Year & Associate Professor and Department Chair, Curriculum and Instruction Samford University, Birmingham, AL




Questioning Skills, for Teachers


Book Description

This publication reviews research findings related to the verbal questioning behaviors and practices of teachers. It emphasizes current research related to the impact of questioning practices on student thinking, achievement, and attitudes. This includes questioning techniques and strategies and approaches to analyzing classroom questions. A list of teaching suggestions synthesized from a variety of research studies dealing with questioning is presented: (1) plan key questions to provide lesson structure and direction; (2) phrase questions clearly and specifically; (3) adapt questions to student ability level; (4) ask questions logically and sequentially; (5) ask questions at a variety of levels; (6) follow up student responses; (7) give students time to think; (8) encourage student questions; and (9) use questions that encourage wide student participation. These techniques are discussed and analyzed as they apply to improvement of teachers' questioning practices and the impact on learning outcomes. The final section of the monograph is devoted to methods for improving teachers' questioning practices. (JD)




Promoting Rigor Through Higher Level Questioning


Book Description

Promoting Rigor Through Higher Level Questioning equips teachers with effective questioning strategies and:




Classroom Instruction that Works


Book Description

Describes nine different teaching strategies which have been proven to have positive effects on student learning and explains how those strategies can be incorporated into the classroom.




Promoting Higher-order Thinking Through Questioning Techniques


Book Description

The purpose of this capstone was to examine what questioning strategies promote higher-order thinking in elementary-aged students. This study focused on the recommended questioning strategies of preplanned questions, allowing sufficient wait time, and making sure to give all students the opportunity to respond. The participants were fifth grade students. Questions were preplanned for three lessons in writing, math, and science. Data collection methods included observation, videotaping, and written documentation. The results of the study show questioning can be used to stimulate learning and thinking. Higher-order thinking questions do promote higher-order thinking responses in elementary-aged students.




Critical Thinking and Formative Assessments


Book Description

Develop your students' critical thinking skills and prepare them to perform competitively in the classroom, on state tests, and beyond. In this book, Moore and Stanley show you how to effectively instruct your students to think on higher levels, and how to assess their progress. As states implement the Common Core State Standards, teachers have been called upon to provide higher levels of rigor in their classrooms. Moore and Stanley demonstrate critical thinking as a key approach to accomplishing this goal. They explore the benefits of critical thinking and provide the tools you need to develop and monitor critical thinking skills in the classroom. Topics include: The Difference Between Higher-Level and Lower-Level Thinking Writing Higher-Level Thinking Questions Assessing Critical Thinking Strategies to Develop Higher-Level Thinking Skills




Beyond the Surface


Book Description

ABSTRACT: This qualitative teacher-action research study examined the observed and reported experiences of teacher and students when the Question-Answer Relationship strategy was used as a bridge to student-generated questions in order to increase critical thinking skills in a tenth grade honors American Literature classroom. The study was completed in an urban high school in eastern Pennsylvania with 22 participants. Methods of data collection included student-generated questions, various types of student journals, student surveys, interviews, and classroom observations. Methods of analysis included analytic and reflective memos, narratives, coding, binning, continual review of student work, and construction of theme statements. During the course of the study, upon completion of reading a given set of chapters in an American classic novel, students posted questions on a WIKI. These questions were then analyzed according to levels of critical thinking being indicated. Additionally, students occasionally wrote journals to reflect on topics pertaining to the novel. These, too, were evaluated for evidence of critical thinking. When reading a difficult text, students were able to pose high-level critical thinking questions of their own. Metacognition aids students' critical thinking and enables students to transfer newly acquired skills to new learning opportunities. The lack of background knowledge and the misreading of difficult texts may hinder the development of higher-level critical thinking skills.




Questions, Questioning Techniques, and Effective Teaching


Book Description

This book focuses on questioning techniques and strategies teachers may employ to make the difference between active and passive learning in the classroom. There are nine chapters: (1) Why Questions? (Ambrose A. Clegg, Jr.); (2) Review of Research on Questioning Techniques (Meredith D. Gall and Tom Rhody); (3) The Multidisciplinary World of Questioning (J. T. Dillon); (4) What Kind of Question Is That? (Roger T. Cunningham); (5) Using Wait Time To Stimulate Inquiry (Mary Budd Rowe); (6) Effective Questions and Questioning: A Classroom Application (William W. Wilen); (7) Discussion Strategies and Tactics (Ronald T. Hyman); (8) Students as Key Questioners (Francis P. Hunkins); and (9) Improving Teachers' Questions and Questioning: Research Informs Practice (William W. Wilen). (JD)




Questioning Strategies for Teaching the Gifted


Book Description

In order to stimulate creative development among gifted students, the use of questioning techniques has proven to be a successful strategy for encouraging purposeful inquiry. Students need to learn to generate alternatives to solving real-world problems, and teachers can help them do this by regularly incorporating divergent questions in the classroom. Teachers can incorporate questions effectively by knowing the various purposes, types, and intended outcomes and by establishing a classroom climate that promotes active engagement, exploration, and inquiry to further student achievement. Learn to generate classroom or small group discussions that challenge students to think critically and creatively. Elizabeth Shaunessy offers classroom-tested strategies for developing questions and activities that challenge students to think in new ways. Create a mutually respectful classroom climate and design appropriate questions to elicit higher level thinking from your students. This is one of the books in Prufrock Press' popular Practical Strategies Series in Gifted Education. This series offers a unique collection of tightly focused books that provide a concise, practical introduction to important topics concerning the education of gifted children. The guides offer a perfect beginner's introduction to key information about gifted and talented education. Educational Resource