Communication Strategies Faculty Resources: Questioning

Students will use this strategy when they ask questions to:

• Read critically when reviewing class readings.
• Clarify assignment details.
• Think critically about outside sources when doing research.
• Find out if they are on track with their assignment outline.
• Find out if their teammate needs help completing their portion of the work.
• Resolve a conflict during group work.
• Find out how to improve their assignment before handing it in.

Read about developing this strategy with your students in the Faculty Blog post: Communication Strategies: Questioning

To learn how to read critically:

• Read this handout: Reading Critically.

To learn how to be critical when reading online sources:

• Read this webpage: Take the CRAAP Test

To learn about using critical thinking:

• Watch this video: What is critical thinking?

To learn about critical thinking skills:

• Read this webpage: 6 Critical Thinking Skills You Need Now.

To learn about asking questions:

• Watch this video: The Skill of Asking Questions.

To learn about the importance of asking good questions:

• Watch this video: The power of Good Questions.

Faculty can access the following resources through Library & Academic Services to help their students develop this strategy:

• Writing Research Papers workshop, for full-class support with planning and writing a research paper, applying critical thinking skills and the writing process.
• Library Reference and Instruction workshop for help with finding and evaluating suitable internet resources.
• Reading hybrid LEARNing module for asynchronous resources that can be embedded within a LEARN course to help students improve their reading skills, and develop critical thinking and questioning skills while-reading.

Students can access the following resources through Library & Academic Services to develop this strategy:

• Tutoring for individualized and small group support, to help develop critical thinking and questioning skills relating to course content.
• Writing Tutoring, for individualized in-person and email support to develop critical thinking and questioning skills within academic writing. 
• EAL Tutoring, for individualized language development for students whose first language is not English, who need support developing the language skills and confidence to effectively ask questions.
• Academic Coaching, to develop the academic skills relating to critical thinking.