FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)The Teaching Process and MethodsMedium
During a ground lesson, an instructor asks, 'What do you think would happen to the density altitude if the temperature dropped by 20 degrees, the field elevation increased by 2,000 feet, and the altimeter setting also changed—now, what's the exact resulting density altitude in feet?' This question is a poor example because it requires the student to juggle multiple pieces of information simultaneously without a clear focus. What type of ineffective question is this?
- APuzzle question
- BBewilderment question
- CToss-up question
- DOversized question
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Oversized question
An oversized question asks for a lengthy, complicated answer covering too much material at once, overwhelming the student and making it difficult to know how to respond.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A puzzle question is a brain-teaser designed to confuse rather than genuinely overload with information.
- B. Bewilderment is not a standard FAA-recognized category of ineffective question.
- C. A toss-up question has more than one correct answer of equal value, not the issue here.
Oversized (Ineffective) Question
A question that is so broad or complex that it requires the student to provide a lengthy, complicated answer, making it difficult to know what specific answer is expected.
- One of several types of questions instructors should avoid
- Contrast with effective questions, which are clear, concise, and focused on one idea
- Other ineffective types include puzzle, toss-up, and irrelevant questions
Memory trick: POTI: Puzzle, Oversized, Toss-up, Irrelevant