ORAL : PRETESTING, DIAGNOSTIC QUESTIONS

The Questions & Answers

  Definition

Questions:

·         are posed by the teacher to determine if students understand what is being/has been presented or to extend thinking, generate ideas or problem-solve.

Answers:

·         provide opportunities for oral assessment when the student responds to a question by speaking rather than by writing.

       Purpose

Questions and answers are used to:

·         provide a mechanism which monitors a student’s understanding while assessing student progress (what they know and can do);

·         gather information about a student’s learning needs.

      Characteristics

Question and answers:

·         help teachers and students clarify their purpose for learning and link previous information with new understandings.

    

      Teacher’s Role

The teacher:

·         notes how students answer questions during instruction to know if the students understand what is being presented or are able to perform skills;

·         should ensure that all students participate, not just those individuals who typically respond with answers.

  

   Considerations

Questions and answers:

·         can help to ensure that all students are involved if tracking is done to ensure that all students participate;

·         is used with consideration that some individuals are not comfortable or fluent expressing themselves orally.