Yes, questioning can be a key strategy for formative assessment. Recent research supports the idea that when teachers use questions to understand what students know, adjust their teaching based on student responses, and guide learning, it serves as an effective form of formative assessment.
The Role of Questioning in Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is all about monitoring student learning to provide feedback and adjust teaching strategies. Questioning, when used effectively, directly aligns with these goals.
How Questioning Becomes Formative
According to research (Black et al., 2003; Jiang, 2014), questioning acts as a powerful formative tool when teachers do the following:
- Elicit Student Understanding: Teachers ask questions to uncover what students already know or don't know.
- Interpret Student Responses: Teachers analyze the answers to identify gaps in understanding and misconceptions.
- Act on Student Responses: Teachers modify their teaching or provide additional support based on the insights gained from student answers.
Examples of Formative Questioning
Here are some practical examples of how questioning can be used as a formative assessment strategy:
- During a lesson: A teacher might pause to ask students about a concept they just covered. This helps the teacher see if students are grasping the material and allows them to address any confusion right away.
- At the start of a new topic: The teacher might ask questions to check for pre-existing knowledge, adjusting the lesson to ensure students are properly challenged.
- After a class activity: The teacher might ask questions to gauge student learning outcomes. The responses will shape future lesson planning.
Importance of Effective Questioning Techniques
Not all questions are equally effective. Teachers need to consider:
- Question type: Open-ended questions tend to reveal deeper understanding than simple yes/no questions.
- Wait time: Giving students enough time to formulate answers is crucial for insightful responses.
- Feedback: Providing immediate and specific feedback helps students learn from their mistakes.
Conclusion
In summary, questioning can serve as a valuable formative assessment method when teachers thoughtfully use questions to elicit student understanding, interpret responses, and adapt their instructional practices to enhance learning.
