Y Religion Episode 7: Asking Good Questions (Jan Martin & Jared Halverson)
Jul 20, 2025
Jan Martin, an adjunct faculty member at BYU with a PhD in English Bible translation, and Jared Halverson, an associate professor of ancient scripture specializing in faith loss, dive into the art of engaging classroom discussions. They explore the revolutionary power of open-ended questions, emphasizing how these can foster collaborative learning. The duo advocates for students as co-teachers, sharing insights that bridge academic and personal reflections, ultimately transforming educational environments into vibrant discussions guided by mutual exploration and scripture.
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Students as Co-Teachers
- Teachers should see students as fellow teachers bringing unique insights.
- This paradigm shift enables richer discussions rather than one-way lecturing.
Craft Open-Ended Questions
- Plan open-ended, scripture-anchored questions starting with what, how, or why.
- Avoid yes/no questions except for factual checks or decisions to get meaningful discussions.
Use Follow-Up Questions
- Use follow-up questions like "Why do you think that?" to deepen discussion.
- Encourage students to elaborate on personal connections to build engagement.