Teach Fzx Tuesday - Public Interrogation

1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but [ask not questions], I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not [query the individuals under my care], I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not [risk embarrassment by asking them questions in class discussions], I gain nothing.

[Questions] are patient, [Queries] are kind.  They do not envy, they do not boast, they are not proud [when properly asked].  They do not dishonor others, they are not self-seeking. ... [Public interrogation] does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres [and always has the best interests of student learning at its heart].

[Public Quizzing] never fails.  But where there are [convincing hands-on activities], they will cease; where there are [compelling demonstrations], they will be stilled; where there are [persuasive laboratory exercises], they will pass away. …

When I was a [student], I talked like a [student], I thought like a [student], I reasoned like a [student].  When I became a [teacher], I put the ways of [studenthood] behind me. ..

And now these [four] remain; [books, videos, activities, and questions].  But the greatest of these is [directly challenging students with both low and high level questions in public and in private to affect the greatest improvement in knowledge and analytical thinking].”

During my first years of teaching I prepared the best demonstrations, activities, and laboratory exercises that my limited time and resources allowed.  I compellingly demonstrated and convincingly explained to the best of my ability.  They measured and tested and probed.  But Physics is difficult.

In the end, they were convinced of what they already "knew."  It seems that by the age of 17, our minds are set in such a way that it is difficult to see something new.  We interpret the world in a particular way and our minds rebel against change.  When we see something that doesn't fit, our brains make it fit.  When our calculations show something new, we ignore it.  And don't think you're the exception - we all do it.  Republican and Democrat.  Christian and Atheist.  Humanist and Misogynist.

It was only when I combined the best activities and demonstrations and readings and labs with public questioning that I convinced the most students.  Many students hide in plain sight, hesitant to learn.  Most students are passive learners and we like them that way (but shouldn't).  Targeted questioning of individual learners in public is the only way I have found to efficiently improve the learning of the largest portion of my students.  

It's uncomfortable.  I don't like doing it and the compassionate teacher hidden deep within rebels but I keep pepper spraying the class with questions.  Few teachers do it.  Fewer students learn.