FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)Assessment and CritiqueHard
During a ground school session, an instructor asks, 'Class, why is density altitude higher on a hot day at a high-elevation airport?' and pauses, allowing several students the chance to think and respond before calling on anyone by name. This questioning technique is known as a(n)...
- AToss-up question
- BRhetorical question
- COverhead question
- DReverse question
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Overhead question
An overhead question is directed to the entire class rather than a single student, encouraging all students to think about and formulate an answer before the instructor calls on someone, which increases overall engagement.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A toss-up question is a simple recall-type question, not defined by being addressed to the whole group.
- B. A rhetorical question is not meant to be answered at all, unlike this question which expects a response.
- D. A reverse question occurs when a student's own question is redirected back to that student, not posed to the class.
Overhead Question
A question posed to an entire group of students rather than to one individual, allowing everyone to consider an answer before one student is called upon.
- Increases engagement of the whole class
- Contrasts with direct questions aimed at one student
- Often used to open discussion before calling on someone
Memory trick: Overhead = a question thrown 'over the heads' of the whole class