The power of requesting questions

One of the best college professors I ever had was a man who didn’t ask “does anyone have any questions?”

Instead, he’d ask “someone PLEASE ask me a question” or “what was most unclear about that?” OR “what are your questions?”

He never asked if there were questions because there are always questions. He wanted to encourage people to ask questions. For engagement, for learning, for life.

But most people shy away from “does anyone have any questions” because it seems to imply “is anyone stupid enough to not get what I just explained.”

Ask for questions. Demand questions. They’re the best way to encourage students to get involved.