Questioning Technique Planner
Cold call, think-pair-share, mini-whiteboards and the rest, matched to what you actually want to find out.
Extending wait time after a question from about one second to three or five is the most consistently supported questioning change available, producing longer answers and more pupils answering at no cost other than the discomfort of the silence.
Questioning Technique Planner
Frequently asked
Is cold calling fair?
It is fair when it is an established, predictable routine and unfair when it is used to catch someone out. The evidence supports it as a way of including pupils who would otherwise never speak; the introduction is what determines which version you get.
How long should wait time be?
Three to five seconds after asking, and again after an answer before responding. Both are supported in the research, and both feel considerably longer than they are.
What is the biggest questioning mistake?
Hands up as the default. It systematically samples the pupils who already understand, which makes it the least informative option available while feeling like participation.
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