Active Learning Blog

Asking Questions Help Students in Learning & Problem Solving

Apr 20, 2015 7:00:00 AM by Fred Krazeise

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For educators looking to achieve better student learning outcomes, one strategy is to encourage students to ask more questions. But not just any questions. Students need to learn how to ask the right questions to positively impact their learning outcomes. In an article by Cynthia Richettie and James Sheerin, originally published in The Constructive Classroom, ASCD explores strategies that instructors can use in helping students ask the right questions.

Four Question-Based Problem Solving Techniques

The article presented four strategies outlined in the ASCD CompassQuest consortium that help students become better questioners. First, when students are faced with a complex situation, with multiple variables and opinions, they use the SCAN technique. This acronym stands for:

  • See the issues
  • Clarify the issues
  • Assess priorities
  • Name the steps

For solving a problem, which occurs when something goes wrong or an undesired effect occurs, the FIND acronym is recommended. This stands for:

  • Focus on the problem
  • Identify what is and what is not
  • Narrow possible causes
  • Determine the true cause

For students who need to make a decision when several possible options are presented, the SELECT acronym is recommended:

  • State the decision
  • Establish and classify objectives
  • List alternatives
  • Evaluate the alternatives
  • Consider any risks
  • Trust your work and decide

Finally, when students are ready to implement a plan or change, the PLAN acronym is used:

  • Predict potential problems
  • List likely causes
  • Agree on preventive actions
  • Note contingent actions

By teaching students these strategies, educators can build critical thinkers, improving learning outcomes in a variety of situations.

Using Technology to Help

Technology makes it easier for teachers to model proper question asking behavior, and then encourages questioning from students in return. The Echo360 Active Learning Platform works to create an interactive classroom where teachers can model questioning techniques and invite good questions from students. Echo360 enables students to submit questions at any time during class, anonymously, so instructors can answer quickly. 

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