FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)Assessment and CritiqueEasy
Which of the following best describes an effective instructor question during a ground lesson?
- AIt has a single, definite answer that requires the student to think.
- BIt can be answered correctly with a simple 'yes' or 'no.'
- CIt requires the student to guess a specific word the instructor has in mind.
- DIt combines several unrelated ideas into one long question.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. It has a single, definite answer that requires the student to think.
Effective questions are clear, apply to only one idea, and have a single, definite answer while still requiring the student to think through the material. Yes/no questions and multi-idea questions fail to promote genuine understanding.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Yes/no questions do not require real thought or demonstrate understanding.
- C. Guessing a specific word describes an ineffective 'puzzle' or guessing-game question.
- D. Combining multiple ideas creates a confusing 'bewilderment' type question.
Effective Questioning
Good instructor questions apply to the lesson, cover a single idea, have a definite answer, and stimulate student thinking.
- Should require thought, not just recall of a word
- Avoid yes/no or multi-part questions
- Should be at the student's level of understanding
Memory trick: 'ASK': Applies, Single idea, Knowledge-building thought.