Inquiring Minds Want to Know (Full-Class Learning)

OVERVIEW

This simple technique stimulates students' curiosity by encouraging speculation about a topic or question. Students are more likely to retain knowledge about previously uncovered subject matter if they are involved from the onset in a full-class learning experience.

PROCEDURE

1. Ask the class an intriguing question to stimulate curiosity about a subject you want to discuss.  The question should be one to which you expect that few students know the answer. Here are a few examples of such questions:

  • Everyday knowledge (“Why do we have income tax?”)
  • How to ("According to experts, what is the best way to preserve a mummy?")
  •   Definitions (“What is a black hole?”)
  •  Titles (“What do you think Ibsen's play A Doll's House is about?”)
  • The ways things work (“What makes a car go?")
  • Outcomes (“What do you think will be the ending of this plot?” “The solutions to this problem?”)
2.  Encourage speculation and wild guessing. Use phrases like "take a guess" or "take a stab."
3.  Do not give feedback immediately. Accept all guesses. Build curiosity about the “real” answer.
4.  Use the question as a lead into what you are about to teach. Include the answer to your question in your presentation. You should find that students are more attentive than usual.

VARIATIONS

1.  Pair up students and ask them to collectively make a guess.
2.  Instead of a question, tell students what you are about to teach them and why they should find it interesting. Try to spice up this introduction in the manner of "coming attractions" to a movie.

 

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