"I Have a Question" Activity Guide

Activity Overview

Purpose: Help reinforce learning and encourage students to see different aspects of an issue or concern

Student Level Any Level

Class Size 3 – 100+ students

Difficulty Easy to Implement

📋 How the Activity Works

Core Activity Description

At the conclusion of a presentation or lecture, students write down at least one open-ended question (avoiding yes/no answers) related to the information just presented. This simple yet powerful technique requires all students to participate and consider what they have learned and what questions still remain.

🔄 Implementation Options

Choose Your Implementation Method

Group Exchange Method: Questions are written by the home group and papers are collected and handed back to other groups at the start of the next class

Research Assignment: Questions are reviewed and posted on the class website. Students must research the answers (individually or in groups) and return to class with answers

Discussion Forum: Students discuss the questions in an open forum or threaded discussion

Answer Key Method: Questions are posted on the class website with answers or citations where students can find the answers

Class Discussion: The most common questions are discussed at the beginning of the next class

Benefits of This Activity

Ensures all students participate actively

Reinforces learning through reflection

Encourages critical thinking

Identifies knowledge gaps

Promotes peer-to-peer learning

Builds research skills

Increases student engagement

Provides immediate feedback to instructor

Implementation Tips for Success

Set clear expectations about question quality - emphasize open-ended questions

Provide examples of good vs. poor questions during the first implementation

Use a timer to keep the question-writing phase focused (3-5 minutes)

Consider allowing anonymous question submission for sensitive topics

Rotate through different implementation methods to maintain engagement

Use questions to guide future lesson planning and content emphasis

Activity Variations

Digital Version: Use online polling tools or discussion boards for immediate question collection and sharing

Peer Review: Have students evaluate and improve each other's questions before submission

Question Categories: Ask for specific types of questions (clarification, application, analysis, synthesis)

Expert Panel: Invite guest experts to address the most challenging student questions

Question Gallery Walk: Post questions around the room and have students vote on most important ones

Key Success Factor

The activity works best when students understand that asking thoughtful questions is a sign of engagement and learning, not confusion or inadequacy.

📚 References & Further Reading

Bonwell, Charles C & Eison, James A. (1991) Active Learning; Creating Excitement in the Classroom, Washington, D.C, The Eric Clearinghouse on Higher Education

Silberman, Mel (1996) Active Learning: 101 Strategies to Teach Any Subject, Boston; Allyn & Bacon