According to Kauchak, there are three functions to teacher questioning. The first deals with assessing current understanding. In order to be an effective teacher, you must be able to understand what the student already knows, which will help to further their learning process. If you can link what they already know with what they're about to learn, the learning process will be easier not only on the student but the teacher as well. Technology helps to accomplish this function by allowing students to feel more comfortable with the questioning process. Students can be intimidated by questions that they don't know the answer to, especially in front of a peer group. By allowing students to answer questions through blogs, e-mail, or any other form of electronic communication, they will have more of a one-on-one session with the teacher rather than in front of a crowd.
The second function deals with increasing learner motivation. By asking students questions off the bat, teachers are subliminally engaging their students to be motivated in their learning. By letting students know that you will frequently ask questions, it tells them that they need to be prepared, incase they get called on. Tying this function with technology will encourage students to become even more engaged and will fuel their motivation to learn.
The last function of teacher questions is to guide new learning. This form of instructional questioning allows students to interrelate new ideas and integrate their new learning with their current knowledge. Teachers need to be able to guide their students in their learning and asking questions will help to engage the student and actually think about what they're learning. Students have a hard time keeping the knowledge when a teacher is only lecturing. By asking questions and engaging them with technology, they are able to connect what they already know with what they are learning. Using powerpoint, computer based activities, and slideshows help teachers with their questioning and also help to keep students engaged.
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Mallory--
I totally agree with you--technology can help students that wouldn't feel comfortable answering questions in the classroom, answer in a blog, e-mail or in other media. I also think, however that there are valuable skills learned by having to answer questions immediately, in front of others. You can learn how to think on your feet, how to articulate and express yourself completely, coherently, and even poetically on your feet, if you are forced to do it by answering questions in front of a large group, off the cuff.
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