Questioning Q Effective Questioning A Q QUESTIm ON

Questioning Q

Effective Questioning A Q QUEST–I’m – ON. . But what is the quest?

? ? ? What is the purpose of asking questions in the Seasons for Growth program?

Q The dictionary says a “question” is: An interrogation An inquiry That which is asked A matter of doubt or difficulty A problem A dispute To be uncertain of Doubtful, suspicious To take objection to Webster’s English Dictionary

Questions allow us to make sense of the world They are the most powerful tools we have for making decisions and solving problems, for inventing, changing and improving our lives as well as the lives of others. Jamie Mc. Kenzie

Questioning goals in Seasons for Growth • To encourage participants to describe their situation and how they feel about it • To help participants be specific or concrete • To discourage questions that merely satisfy curiosity • To gain an insight into participants’ level of understanding about new learning

The right questions can … Help participants explore and describe their own situation Help participants to consolidate their learning. Build group understanding about shared experiences ? Support people to disclose new information if they wish ? Lead to a better understanding of each person’s situation

Effective Questioning What When Where I keep six honest serving-men, (they taught me all I knew); Their names are: Who How Why Rudyard Kipling

Lower & higher order questions Questions can be categorised as ‘lower order’ or ‘higher order. ’ Lower order questions ask us to remember, and higher order questions ask us to think. Why Higher Order Lower Order How, What When, Where, Which, Who Yes/No Questions

Types of Questions Closed questions ? Open questions

Closed questions are specific and are answered with a yes or no, or with details as appropriate, e. g. • • Do you like ice cream? What is your name? What time is it? What team do you play for? “ “ Closed Questions Think about examples in a Seasons for Growth session when it would be appropriate to ask a closed question. . .

Q Open Questions Open questions do not invite specific answers but open up discussion or elicit a wide range of answers for creative problem solving, for example • What would you do if. . • What do you think would happen when. . . • How have you changed since you were five?

“ Open/Closed Questions Sometimes closed questions can shut down further dialogue, whereas open questions can encourage it: Did you like the show last night? (Closed) What did you think of the show last night? Did you have a good day today? How was your day today? (Open) (Closed) (Open)

Other Open Questions When you are requesting more information, open questions and statements can be used in additional ways to how, when, where, why. Examples include: Tell us some more about … Can you describe … Is there anything you’d like to add …

Wait time it a W Rep h ras e A brief period of silence should be allowed after asking a question. It is recommended that a wait time of 10 to 15 seconds should be given (corresponding to three complete breaths or counting from 10 to 15). If no response is forthcoming, then the question might need to be re-phrased and asked again. Perhaps the question was not understood, was too difficult, or was just unclear.

Activity: My ideal holiday • Find a partner • Prepare four questions to ask your partner (both closed and open questions) about their ideal holiday • Take turns in interviewing each other. ? ?

Some general tips Arrange the space to support conversation: • Chairs in a circle • Small rather than large meeting space Ask questions in supportive ways: • Give people time to think • Share the chance to answer with all group members before responding • Ask simple questions • Call on people so that all have a chance after the question to participate and respond has been asked

Some general tips • When people are responding: - Don’t repeat responses for the group, as people may ‘tune out’ - Avoiding interrupting a participant whose answer is incorrect (for example, talking about Spring as the final season in the program). Instead, try to clarify or redirect the question to another participant. • When group members ask a question, encourage the group to answer them (rather than yourself) What other tips can you add?

Review and conclusion What understanding about questioning has been reinforced for you or what new understanding did you gain today? How will you be able to use this in your Seasons for Growth sessions?

? Thank You!