Action Based Learning Question Types
Contents
Overview
One of the key to effective Action Learning is asking the right question. The ‘right questions’ are questions which when asked to the right people at the right time, given the type of information needed. To help people in an Action Learning process, primarily a questioning approach is used than offering advice because it is a basic assumption that each person has the capacity to find their own solutions.
Normally, the purpose of asking a question is to obtain information for our self, the questioner. However, in action learning the purpose is completely different. It is to help someone else to:
Closed Questions
Closed question involves a technique which does not allow the respondents to develop or explore further or limits them with a strict lists of answer choices to choose from. It’s mostly monosyllabic or could be in the form of a short phrase .For example; some closed questions can only be answered by “Yes” or “No”:
Closed questions should not be interpreted as simple question which anyone can answer quickly with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. It could be tougher to make one think before responding. For example; ‘when two quantities are dependent on each other, does an increase in one always leads to an increase in the other?’
Usage
Open Questions
Open questions open up the recipient’s thinking and give them the opportunity to expand or explore. This gives them the freedom to discover new ideas, consider different possibilities and to decide on the course of action that is right for them.
Open ended questions are not always long. It could be short as well as open. We will often find that shorter questions have a much greater impact than longer ones. Most of us find it quite difficult to ask really short questions because it can feel abrupt or even rude. So when questioning in action learning set, it is important to be aware of the voice tone and body language. The aim is to ask challenging questions in a way which helps the other person.
Usage