Asking Better Questions. 2nd ed.

This book is aimed at teachers who want to improve their skills at utilizing questioning as a teaching methodology. It outlines how thoughtful and timely questions by a teacher can create a learning environment that stimulates students’ thinking and increases participation. The authors emphasize the importance of questioning as a social responsibility and suggest that students should be developing inquiry skills early. The book is a pleasure to read and offers practical examples for teachers and students to hone critical thinking skills and to formulate relevant questions.

Asking better questions, the authors assert, leads to more effective teaching and improves student engagement. Questioning as a teaching approach will assist students to become imaginative and more involved in learning. Suggestions are provided on when and how to use questions in the classroom and how to create a positive setting for student participation.

The book includes a glossary and a classification of questions in addition to numerous practical applications to assist teachers to formulate questions for various situations. Best practices in creating a supportive classroom environment for enquiry are proposed. Sample lessons, notes, and worksheets are included, along with adaptable examples on utilizing questioning effectively to maximize student involvement.

The book offers an excellent framework for enhancing classroom teaching and a variety of tools to support the instructor in this role. Tips on adjustments to the questioning methodology according to cultural diversity, class composition, size, and age level would be useful. Insight on managing unresponsive or overzealous students skilfully would also be beneficial. For teachers who may not be comfortable with the questioning approach, ideas for skill-building beyond reading this book would be helpful.

The questioning methodology and teaching techniques provided in this book are useable at all educational levels. While the examples, tools, and guides are based on elementary school teaching, they can be modified to fit various education and work settings.