What teaching technique prompts discussion by asking questions and building on students' ideas?

What teaching technique prompts discussion by asking questions and building on students' ideas?

• A. Lecturing
• B. Independent Study
• C. Direct Instruction
• D. Socratic Questions

Answer: (D)

Socratic questioning is a teaching approach that prompts discussion by asking thoughtful questions and building on what students say. Rather than simply presenting information, the teacher uses open-ended prompts to draw out reasoning, invite clarification, and connect ideas to what students already know. As students respond, the teacher guides the conversation with follow-up questions, helps them examine assumptions, and helps them see relationships and evidence. This back-and-forth encourages deeper understanding and helps students articulate and defend their thinking. In contrast, lecturing centers on the teacher delivering information with limited student dialogue. Independent study emphasizes working alone with minimal teacher interaction, and direct instruction is a structured, teacher-led method that presents content and models procedures but typically involves less sustained discussion and student-led inquiry. So, the technique that best fits the description—prompting discussion by asking questions and building on students' ideas—is Socratic questioning.

Socratic questioning is a teaching approach that prompts discussion by asking thoughtful questions and building on what students say. Rather than simply presenting information, the teacher uses open-ended prompts to draw out reasoning, invite clarification, and connect ideas to what students already know. As students respond, the teacher guides the conversation with follow-up questions, helps them examine assumptions, and helps them see relationships and evidence. This back-and-forth encourages deeper understanding and helps students articulate and defend their thinking.

In contrast, lecturing centers on the teacher delivering information with limited student dialogue. Independent study emphasizes working alone with minimal teacher interaction, and direct instruction is a structured, teacher-led method that presents content and models procedures but typically involves less sustained discussion and student-led inquiry. So, the technique that best fits the description—prompting discussion by asking questions and building on students' ideas—is Socratic questioning.