The Appalachia Educational Laboratory designed and implemented a long-term staff development program to increase and sustain teacher knowledge of and use of classroom questioning techniques to produce higher levels of student learning. Evaluations from 41 middle and secondary schools establishing the effectiveness of this program are reported .…

Recommends utilizing biochemistry problems to develop students' abilities to clearly identify the relevant questions hidden in problematic situations and to select the information required to solve them. This procedure is highly motivating and offers students a tool for evaluating their achievements. (Author/CCM)

Stresses the importance of questioning as a key element in the art of learning. Defines three types of questions: (1) multisystem, which considers more than one relevant viewpoint in thinking through a problem, issue, or question; (2) one-system, which can be tested with a multiple-choice format; and (3) no-system, which are matters of sheer…

The drill-down process starts with a global question or issue, which then is broken down into its component parts for analysis. Once the analysis is completed, all the data are used to make a reasoned decision on next steps. There are two guiding frameworks: the variety of questions posed and the level of data analysis employed. (MLH)

Analyzes 295 male and 194 female examinations from introductory atmospheric and oceanic science courses to determine whether or not there exist gender differences in the performance on multiple choice versus constructed response sections of the exams. (Author/SAH)

Comparison of 2 interviews, with either a male or female interviewer, of 56 women who reported a history of sexual abuse found approximately one-third of the incidents were reported in only 1 interview, with gender of interviewer making little apparent difference. Contrary to expectation, subjects appeared to be more forthcoming at the first…

Describes a method for teaching advanced ecology to juniors and seniors at an independent high school. Uses questions as the primary organizational tool to organize the curriculum. Facilitates teaching science in a manner closer to how it is practiced by scientists and helps students understand and appreciate science itself. (SAH)

Poor listening can have dramatic consequences; relatively minor mistakes can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. In stressful situations, board members should use extra thinking time, focus on the person speaking, look interested, ask questions, paraphrase, empathize, and pause before reacting to angry outbursts. (MLH)

Examines the kind of peer learning that demands high-level cognitive processing, discussing how peer interaction influences cognitive processes (structuring peer interaction and using guided reciprocal peer questioning); how to promote cognitive processing (knowledge construction and integration and socio- cognitive conflict); metacognition; and…

Evaluated the effectiveness of the Classroom Performance System (CPS), which uses infrared remotes to allow students to answer in-class questions anonymously. Found no dramatic improvement in students' lesson preparation or performance; however, CPS did greatly facilitate using pop quizzes and class questions, improved instructors' ability to…

This case study investigated gender-based differences in classroom participation through examining teacher-student interactions between a female biology teacher and two groups of middle school students, namely high achievers and low achievers. The female teacher used a questioning-orientated instructional strategy as her major teaching style which…

In this article, the author discusses a project involving the observation of 12 teachers in different schools, teaching pupils at Key Stage 3 of differing ages and abilities, noting both questioning techniques used and pupils' responses. The teachers involved were volunteers, chosen to give a range of experience, styles, and school, and included a…

This article reports an empirical study of classroom observation of two general English lessons that examined the effects of teachers' referential questions on learners' responses in two ESL classrooms. The study found that in both classes, the teachers asked many more referential questions than display questions, contrary to earlier findings.…

A gallery walk is a discussion technique that gets students out of their chairs and actively involved in synthesizing important science concepts, writing, and public speaking. The technique also cultivates listening and team-building skills. This paper provides guidance for conducting, managing, and assessing gallery walks. (Contains 4 tables and…

Examples of how good children's literature, supported by opportunities to work on meaningful tasks, and skillful questioning can promote mathematical learning are presented. Helping children solve problems, reason, value, feel confident, and communicate their thinking as mathematicians makes mathematical concepts come alive in young children's…