Can Reading Questions Foster Active Learning? A Study of Six College Courses

Authors

Kathryn M. Plank, Otterbein UniversityFollow
Tomas M. Koontz

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2011

Publication Title

Journal on Excellence in College Teaching

Publisher

Miami University

Keywords

Pedagogical Tools, Structured Reading Lessons, Active - Learning principles

Abstract

Many instructors strive to encourage student reading outside of class and active learning in class. One pedagogical tool, structured reading questions, can help do both. Using examples from question sets across six courses, the authors illustrate how reading questions can help students achieve the six active-learning principles described by Svinicki (1991). Qualitative and quantitative assessment data indicate that students often complete readings before class, that they view the questions as very helpful in their learning, and that they use the questions primarily to help understand what information is important and connect it to prior knowledge. Some differences in use are evident across class standing.

First Page

23

Last Page

46

Volume

22

Repository Citation

Plank, Kathryn M. and Koontz, Tomas M., "Can Reading Questions Foster Active Learning? A Study of Six College Courses" (2011). Faculty Scholarship. 2.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/fac_ctl/2

Version

Pre-Print