Effective Questioning

Effective Questioning

Effective questioning is crucial in the playroom and classroom, and builds very much on retrieval practice, as it fosters critical thinking, encourages learner engagement, and helps staff gauge understanding. Effective questioning involves asking clear, thought-provoking questions that promote deeper analysis and discussion rather than simple recall.  This is known as higher order questioning. Higher-order questioning refers to questions that require learners to think critically and engage in deeper levels of cognitive processing. These questions go beyond basic recall of facts and encourage analysis, evaluation, and creation based on their existing knowledge. For example, instead of asking, ‘What is the capital of France?’—a lower-order question—teachers might ask, ‘How does the geography of France influence its cultural diversity?’ or ‘What factors led to the development of Paris as a capital city?’ or early years staff may ask ‘What sites might you see if you visited France?’ 

These types of questions promote discussion, encourage learners to make connections, and develop their critical thinking skills. By incorporating higher-order questioning, staff can create a more dynamic learning environment that fosters deeper understanding and application of knowledge. Staff can use responses to guide their planning, identifying areas where further instruction is needed or where learners are ready to move forward. Higher-order questioning can be exemplified through starters such as "What evidence supports your answer?", "How would you compare...?", and "What might happen if...?". By utilising these techniques, staff can cultivate a rich learning environment that promotes deeper understanding and critical inquiry.