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As online educators we are always on the search for another teaching strategy to improve that #1 goal of all online educators: to engage the students. Once this is accomplished assignments of better quality appear, assignments are submitted-and on time, students are more wont to pursue and peruse all components of the course, and they will end with an overall very positive and long-term learning experience. One of these teaching tools that can be overlooked or not structured/implemented correctly is the open-ended question. Used judiciously and properly it can tremendously enhance the online course for student and instructor. There are some important guidelines.
UNDERSTAND WHAT IS MEANT BY AN "OPEN-ENDED QUESTION"
Also known as "Socratic questions" (the Greek philosopher is credited with devising the open-ended question), these questions look to explore one's critical thinking, feelings, ideas, and creativity. They are the opposite of "close-ended questions," where one- or two-word answers suffice, such as, "Is it raining?" ... "Did you go shopping?" ... "How many weeks until your course ends?" These could be turned into open-ended questions like this: "What are your thoughts on the weather pattern?" . "What considerations need be made on what you'll buy when shopping?" . "During your time in class how have you approached your desire to receive a final grade of A?" Open-ended questions push one's thought processes, while close-ended questions don't.
OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS ARE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN THE DISTANCE LEARNING CLASS
Although open-ended questions are especially helpful in any educational setting, they lend themselves especially viable in the asynchronous class environment where nearly everything is written and thus stays around for the duration of the course. Thus, if the question is "How might our course subject prove helpful in the professional employment you have as your goal?" the question can easily be referred to numerous times by the instructor, and it is a constant reminder for the students. Additionally, motivation in the distance learning class is crucial as the 24/7 format can make it easy for a student to overlook a component of the course, yet open-ended questions...