Open-ended Questions: Why and How

Teachers are always looking for ways of the original formulation of educational tasks to affect the educational process's quality significantly. Natural curiosity and related cognitive questions keep learners interested in learning and motivated. One of the keys to motivating students is an open-ended question.

Questions are our faithful helpers in pedagogical communication and understanding of students. Correctly formulated question is at the core of effective learning. By using them in specific pedagogical situations, you can influence the formation and development of all educational competencies of students.

A closed question is usually phrased in such a way as to get a short and unambiguous answer. One of the ways to manipulate the interlocutor is to ask closed questions deliberately. The more a person agrees with you, that is, answers "yes," the more he trusts you.

Open-ended questions do not imply an unambiguous answer but require the interlocutor to clarify or explain the information. Open-ended questions suggest longer answers. The starters for such questions are the following: "how," "why," "what happened." It should be built so that it is interesting to answer. An open-ended question reveals the student's procedural knowledge, opinion, or attitude to something.

Open-ended questions are good for:

• Development of problematic discussion, organization of brainstorming.
• Obtaining more detailed information and, accordingly, students' knowledge about some phenomenon, process.
• Finding out the opinion of students about the designated problem: "What do you think about the arguments of your friend?"

Make sure you give the student enough time to respond. Their answer must include time to think. Do not rush to daze them with new questions.

Ideas for open-ended questions:

The capabilities of the Edform platform allow you to create a wide variety of interactive tasks.

1. Reflection on YouTube videos

When adding a video to a worksheet, be sure to ask students for their opinion on the issues raised or the video in general. They are motivated by an interest in their views.

Keep in mind that they need time to watch the video and give a detailed answer while setting a deadline.

2. Reaction to picture or picture description

The function of adding images to a worksheet is ideal for open-ended questions. This assignment assumes that the student develops critical and creative thinking. This task can be supplemented with voice accompaniment giving a detailed description of what is expected from the student.

3. Reply to the proposed text.

On the blank part of the worksheet, place the text from the right bar of the sheet creation designer and attach the field for an open-ended question. Here you can ask the student to finish the text, answer it by expressing their opinion, or show their agreement or disagreement on the proposed statement.

How to insert the open-ended question into the worksheet?

Well, it won't take more than 2 minutes to put the open-ended question field on the worksheet:

• Click the element  "Open-ended" and drag it to the necessary place or click the element first, then click the desired spot. The field will appear right there. Adjust to the needed size, styles (fonts, borders, etc.)

How to insert the open-ended question into the worksheet? pic.twitter.com/n364moaN2s

— Edform.com (@edform_com) December 24, 2021

To make a varied worksheet by adding YouTube videos or Images, you need to:

• Сlick the element  "YouTube Video" or  "Image" first, then click the desired spot. The field will appear right there. And after that, insert an open-ended question in the desired area.

Motivate your students by using interactive worksheets on Edform today →