The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast EduTip 33: Answer more questions with questions.
Sep 7, 2025
Redirecting student questions with guiding inquiries can transform the classroom experience. This approach fosters critical thinking and independence, empowering students to discover answers on their own. By prioritizing self-reliance over immediate responses, teachers can enhance learning and maintain effective classroom management. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of a positive tone in these interactions, creating a supportive environment for student exploration.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Redirect Questions To Build Independence
- Pause before answering student questions and redirect them to find the answer themselves.
- Ask questions like 'Where might you find that information?' to build independence.
Ask Specific Follow-Up Questions
- Use specific follow-up questions that point to resources or routines.
- Examples include asking 'Where might you look to review the next steps?' or 'What is our task completion routine?'.
Routines Enable Student Ownership
- Building routines makes it easier to hand responsibility back to students.
- Practicing redirection encourages teachers to create systems that promote student problem solving.
