This week I explored Warren Berger's (2014) book, A More Beautiful Question, and a questioning quickfire. Berger (2014) states that a “beautiful question is an ambitious yet actionable question that can begin to shift the way we perceive or think about something-and that might serve as a catalyst to bring about change.” From a young age, children constantly question, but yet as students begin grade school, the questioning seems to disappear. Berger questions whether children have lost interest in school or they lose interest because their natural curiosity is tamped down (Berger, 2014). In today’s society, we hear phrases such as "asking for a friend" which implies that the individual is embarrassed of asking a question. Berger (2014) suggests that questioning risks being seen as uninformed, insubordinate, or both. Therefore, because our society and schools have moved away from teaching a critical skill that enables people to innovate, solve problems, and move ahead in life, we don’t ask questions.
In Chapter 2, Berger mentions a notable former teacher, Deborah Meier, for her amazing work of founding the modern small school movement. Meier was trying to teach that students must develop the “habit” of learning and questioning, and that knowledge cannot be force-fed to them (Berger, 2014). As an educator in today’s society, it seems that teachers, parents, and even students are more concerned with the answers to the questions instead of the question itself. Students are forced to memorize and recall facts and information which takes away from innovative learning. Berger (2014), notes the pressure teachers face from standardized testing and pressure from parents, but how can we shift our practices to allow students more opportunities for questioning? This is a question I asked in my five minute quickfire activity. After resonating with Berger’s (2014) insight on education and questioning, I participated in a five minute quickfire that involved asking questions relating to my school and practice. See below for the end result of the questions I composed within five minutes.
As you can see, I ask a variety of questions: How? I wonder? Do I? Who? Are? What? Which all relate to my own practice or my students. During this activity, I felt pressure to ask reflection questions about my own practices like “How can I be better?” I also reflected on my colleagues and if they encourage questioning and how they incorporate questioning into their own practice.
One thing that really resonated with me is when Aronson mentions how "fear is the enemy of curiosity" and how one may feel pressure to look a certain way to others. Therefore, one is inclined to play it safe, rather than risk the possibility of confirming the stereotype (Berger, 2014). I immediately thought of my Emergent Bilingual Students (EBS), because I observe the lack of confidence behind their eyes when I know they have questions or they don't understand. In my quickfire, I asked a question relating to the support and confidence within my EBS. As I reflect on EBS and my own teaching, I realized I need to do more because questioning goes beyond encouraging students to “Ask for help” or “any questions?”
I want to leave you with the quote above and let it resonate with you no matter what field you work in, education or business...it is applicable to all work fields. Questioning is critical to problem solving and innovating in our global society and we need to encourage learners to do so. Just like Van Phillips asked Why? What If? and How? questions the world of prosthetics would not be what it is today, and I want all of my students to be inspired to ask the same questions to change the world.
References:
Asking for a friend.(2016).[Giphy]. https://giphy.com/gifs/l2JhNkxsr2EtjfXwY Berger W. (2014). A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas. Bloomsbury Publishing. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Book_of_Beautiful_Questions/ DeVoursney J. (2016). Boat Day. [image]. DeVoursney J. (2019). Wake Surfing. [image]. DeVoursney J. (2020). Question Quickfire. [image]. Kuhlman N. (2013). Living in Questions. [image]. https://trinityandhumanity.com/2013/12/12/living-in-the-questions/
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