Never Stop Asking Questions

“Do you have any questions?” and this concludes a lecture. Whether it be a classroom, a professional presentation or a discussion session, this is a similarity to which all can be related.
Questioning facilitates the learning process by actively contributing to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. A question effectively supports the outcome of teaching, training, instructions, research or studies. In other words, it is a simple measure of Education.
A reluctance in asking or answering questions creates an environment where the joy of learning literally suffocates. Unfortunately, nowadays we are stuck in a similar reality. We should rise above personal egos, embarrassments of not knowing the answers and hectic task-oriented schedules. Quality education can only be revived if questioning is honored both ways. A teacher should never discourage questions due to any of the reasons above, a student must also not shy out from asking questions. It must be realized that questions from students directly impact understanding and perceptions of the students and eventually help in self-assessment of the teacher, for improving his teaching methods and expanding his vision of the knowledge he tends to impart.
Then there also is a negative side which compels harsh attitudes from the trainers, bosses and especially teachers. Apparently, the following series of questions by students on the day of the final lecture (a lecture just before the day of exams) reflects upon this aspect.
What will be the pattern of question paper?
Will the question paper contain objective (True-false or multiple-choice) or subjective (short essay type) questions or both?
What topics will be included in the exam?
Will there be any numerical problems?
The curiosity and interest behind such questions indicate concerns about grades only. These questions are a big turn-off for the soul of a learning process. What was intended to inspire critical thinking and train young minds for a problem-solving approach, ends up in a race for attaining marks. But as it is said that “there is never a bad student, it is always a bad teacher…”.
It is actually the teacher’s role to develop interests in subjects, supplement boring lectures with practical or applicable creativity and mold minds such that the questions change relatively. A teacher should motivate students on his subject, just as a competent salesman attracts customers. It is the teacher’s responsibility to groom effective communication skills while educating and providing his students with the confidence they need as the core competency for their careers and to carry it on, cherishing it in their everyday lives