Three Examples of Why Questions are Better Than Answers -- Empowering a student for success isn’t about telling, but asking. Think about it. The very nature of telling vs asking is a reflection on what we think of a person, or student. If we always tell, we are communicating to a student that we know more, that they need to follow, that they are dependent. When an adult asks instead, it communicates something completely different. A meaningful question communicates interest in opinions, confidence in the listener’s ability to contribute, and a personal interest in the listener as a human being. Here are three examples of questions that I might suggest we use with kids more often. Teachers, parents, mentors. What do you think about these questions and how they might benefit the kids you care about?Question #1- What are you learning? Can I learn with you? This is a gem. It communicates to a kid that learning is more important than just doing a task because someone said so. When a kid hears these words, they hear that they can be trusted, and their opinions and interests are valued. This might replace phrases like, “Hurry and get that done.” or “Do your work.” which suggests that students need to learn through compliance. By asking and following up to those questions with sincere answers, adults can take the roles of mentors rather than authoritarians. Kids will see adults who use these questions as partners in learning, and that leads to better results when things are challenging or when students struggle. Question #2- Where will that get you? What do you want to gain from this?It is natural for learners to explore many avenues and topics of learning. That is most beneficial when kids learn to think ahead at what their learning or actions will bring them in the near or not so near future. (Actually, adults too, right??!!) When we ask kids to reflect on what they are going to get from their actions, they will see that their judgement is valued, that they can chart their own path, and that actions today influence future results. If students are not helped to develop learner agency, they lack in decision making skills, become dependent on others to tell them what to do, or rebel when told what to do. (Or maybe a mixture of these). Try this question instead of “Don’t do that.” or other negative command type comments. Question #3- Is that worth your time?Time is something that everyone needs more of. Students who learn to manage their time will surpass those who don’t. Asking kids to think through the consequences of positive or negative use of time is a valuable question that can’t be underestimated. No teacher has enough time to take every student step by step to success without help. Kids who learn this skill with the help of family or mentors get a turbo charge to their lives. Really.But…This question can’t be followed up with conflicting actions. Consider how time is used around the student being encouraged to value time. Take an inventory of how time is used around your student and think about the long term value of the things that take precedence in that time budget. Maybe a change will benefit everyone.Next time a conversation about learning comes up, practice asking instead of telling. See what kind of results come from this approach. With practice, it will become easier and the benefits will reveal themselves in more obvious ways. What questions might be added to the list here? How might a community-wide effort to build this type of interaction benefit us all? Everyone can contribute and be part of a student-building effort.Nathan Waite is an Innovations and Professional Learning Facilitator for the Northwest Regional Professional Development Program and he works on contract with the Churchill County School District. He taught Spanish at the Churchill County High School for nearly 25 years.Sign up to receive updates and the Friday File email notices.Support local, independent news – contribute to The Fallon Post, your non-profit (501c3) online news source for all things Fallon.
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