Question Types
This type of question typically has one correct answer and can efficiently check foundational knowledge.
closed question
“Name the stages of the water cycle.” What type of cognitive process is it?
Remember
“Define habitat.”
DOK 1
Teacher asks: “How could you prove that 6 × 8 = 48?” Is this primarily an open or closed question?
open question
“Explain condensation in your own words.” What type of cognitive process is it?
Understand.
“Interpret the information shown on this graph and explain what it tells you.”
DOK 2
Student:“I don't know how to solve 36 ÷ 4.”
Teacher: “What do you already know about 36 and groups of 4?”
What type of questioning is the teacher using?
Focusing
“Use what you know about the water cycle to explain why water appears on the outside of a cold glass.” What type of cognitive process is it?
Apply
Students must choose between several possible strategies for solving a non-routine problem and justify why their selected strategy is appropriate.
DOK 3
Teacher asks: “Could you multiply? What number times 4 equals 36?”
What questioning approach is being used?
Funneling
“Which character had the greatest impact on Wilbur? Support your answer with evidence.”
What type of cognitive process is it?
Evaluate
Students investigate a real-world problem, collect and analyze data, develop a solution, test it, and revise their solution based on the results.
DOK 4
A student gives an incorrect answer. Instead of telling the student the correct answer, the teacher asks: “What makes you think that?” and then: “What evidence could you use to check your thinking?”
What makes these questions particularly useful for formative assessment?
Reveal the student's reasoning and provide additional evidence about the misconception.
A teacher's learning target says:“Students will evaluate the effectiveness of an author's argument.”
The teacher asks: “What is the author's argument?”
What is the primary problem?
The question does not fully match the cognitive demand of the learning target.
Students spend three hours completing a worksheet in which they identify the capitals of all 50 states.
Because the task takes a long time, it is DOK 4. True or False?
False. It is still DOK 1.