Questioning comprehension refers to the active process of asking questions before, during, and after reading to foster a more profound understanding of the text. It's not simply about passively absorbing words, but about actively engaging with the material to extract meaning and build comprehension.
How Questioning Enhances Reading Comprehension
The act of questioning is crucial because it moves the reader from a passive recipient of information to an active participant in the learning process. When readers formulate questions, they:
- Connect with the Text: Questioning forces readers to think about what they are reading, relating it to their existing knowledge and experiences.
- Identify Key Information: By asking questions, readers can pinpoint the most important aspects of the text and focus their attention accordingly.
- Clarify Confusions: When questions arise, readers can identify areas where their understanding is lacking, prompting them to reread or seek clarification.
- Improve Understanding: The very act of searching for answers to questions deepens comprehension of the subject matter.
- Make Sense of the World: As the provided reference states, asking questions helps students make sense of the world they live in.
Types of Questions
Effective questioning can take many forms. Here are some examples:
- Before Reading:
- What is this text about?
- What do I already know about this topic?
- What do I expect to learn?
- During Reading:
- What is happening now?
- Why did the character do that?
- What does this word/phrase mean?
- Does this relate to something else I know?
- After Reading:
- What were the main ideas?
- What questions still remain?
- How does this connect to my life?
- What did I learn?
Practical Applications of Questioning
Here are a few practical ways to use questioning to improve comprehension:
- Encourage Self-Questioning: Teach students to generate their own questions as they read, instead of relying on external prompts.
- Use Questioning as a Learning Strategy: Encourage students to ask questions not only during reading but in all aspects of learning, whether that be mathematics, science, or history.
- Model Effective Questioning: Teachers can model the types of questions to ask during a read aloud, helping students understand the process.
- Create Questioning Charts: Develop charts with examples of various question stems for students to refer to during reading.
- Engage in Question-Based Discussions: Facilitate classroom discussions where students ask each other questions to challenge and deepen understanding.
Conclusion
In summary, questioning comprehension is an active and powerful strategy. By asking questions before, during, and after reading, individuals can go beyond basic word recognition and achieve a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the text. It facilitates engagement, uncovers misunderstandings, and builds critical thinking skills.
