Question Formulation Technique
Class Size
Small Group
Time
20-30 min
Technology
None
Domain
Cognitive
Difficulty
Intermediate
Delivery
Face-to-Face, Online, Hybrid
Overview
The Question Formulation Technique (QFT) is a structured process where students produce their own questions, improve them, prioritize them, and use them. It starts with a prompt (called a QFocus) and follows strict rules: ask as many questions as possible, do not judge or answer, write every question, change statements to questions.
Educational Purpose
Students are usually given questions to answer, not asked to generate their own. This makes them passive consumers of questions. QFT makes them active question-generators, developing inquiry skills and intellectual curiosity.
Educational Psychology Behind It
Research by the Right Question Institute shows that QFT improves student engagement, critical thinking, and ownership of learning. Generating questions is a higher-order skill that transfers to research, problem-solving, and citizenship.
Why It Works
Research by the Right Question Institute shows that QFT improves student engagement, critical thinking, and ownership of learning. Generating questions is a higher-order skill that transfers to research, problem-solving, and citizenship.
When to Use It
Use in any subject to launch a unit, analyze a text, explore a phenomenon, or plan a project. Grade 4 and up. Takes 20-30 minutes. Requires a QFocus (image, statement, or prompt).
When NOT to Use It
Avoid judging or answering questions during the generation phase. Avoid QFocus prompts that are too vague or too specific. Do not skip the prioritization step, which teaches strategic thinking about questions.
Best Grade Levels
Grades Grade 4 to Grade 12
Best Subjects
All subjects
Step-by-Step Classroom Guide
- 1Design a QFocus: a statement, image, or artifact that stimulates questions. Avoid questions as QFocus -- use a statement or image.
- 2Present the QFocus and the rules: Ask as many questions as you can. Do not stop to judge or answer. Write every question. Change statements to questions.
- 3Groups brainstorm questions for 5-7 minutes.
- 4Improve questions: Review each question. Which are closed (yes/no) and which are open? Change some closed to open and vice versa. Discuss advantages of each.
- 5Prioritize: Choose the 3 most important questions. Why these?
- 6Plan: How will you use these questions? What do you need to investigate? Where will you find answers?
Classroom Scenario
Ms. Bautista uses QFT to launch a Grade 7 Science unit on climate change. QFocus: an image of a flooded street in Manila during a typhoon. Students generate questions: Why is it flooding? Is this because of climate change? Will it get worse? Can we stop it? Who is responsible? What will happen to our city? They improve: 'Will it get worse?' becomes 'What evidence shows climate change is making typhoons worse in the Philippines?' They prioritize three questions for investigation. The unit is now driven by student questions, not teacher topics. Students are more engaged because they chose what to investigate.
Sample Dialogue
Advantages
- Develops question-generation skills, a higher-order thinking skill
- Students own the investigation because they chose the questions
- Reveals what students are curious about, guiding instruction
- Works in any subject and grade level
- Produces authentic inquiry questions for research or projects
Limitations
- Requires a well-designed QFocus
- The process can feel slow at first
- Students need practice to generate quality questions
- Some teachers struggle not answering questions during generation
Common Mistakes
- Answering or judging questions during the generation phase
- Using a question as the QFocus instead of a statement or image
- Skipping the prioritization step
- Not connecting the generated questions to subsequent learning
Variations & Adaptations
Adjust the complexity of questions, wait time duration, and accountability structures based on students' experience with questioning.
Technology Integration
This strategy requires no technology. If desired, enhance with digital tools such as Google Docs for collaborative writing or Padlet for sharing responses.
Assessment Ideas
Assess through observation of participation, quality of questioning, and formative checks such as exit tickets or quick writes.
Reflection Questions
🤔 What did you learn from this activity?
🤔 What was the most challenging part?
🤔 How could you use this strategy in a different subject?
🤔 What would you do differently next time?
References & Further Reading
- Rothstein, D. & Santana, L. (2011). Make Just One Change. Harvard Education Press.