Defining the Task

First Step in the Big6 Research Process

Defining the Task with Guiding Questions

• Guiding Questions help focus and expand research. – Thinking about what might be interesting and

important to learn about their topic, compare broad, open-ended questions with narrow, closed questions.

– Play "red light, green light," to test for appropriate guiding questions.

– (This game shows that one-answer questions "stop" the flow of information and is a fun way for students to test and select good guiding questions.)

Importance of developing good, critical thinking, questions

• Helps the audience think critically about the topic being discussed

• Allows multiple people from the audience to participate during discussions

• Helps the presenter lead a good thorough discussion

GREEN LIGHT QUESTIONS:

• Lead to more information!

• They answer “Why” and “What if”

• ….open ended questions that lead to critical thinking and opinions

• They encourage your audience to investigate

• They lead your audience to the bigger picture

RED LIGHT QUESTIONS:

• Are questions that STOP information!• They ask for only one answer• They ask for “yes” or “no” answers• They ask for ONE WORD answers• They don’t help you find out more

information• They kill your discussion!!!!!!!!

Examples

• What was the world like when Abraham Lincoln was born? ___green light______

• When was Abraham Lincoln born? ___red light_______

Red Light or Green Light?

• Do you like the leader of the United States? __________________

• What are some pros and cons about the leader of the United States? __________________

Red Light or Green Light?

• Do you think citizens’ will go vote for the election? _____________________

• What are some reasons as to why a citizen will/will not go vote? _____________________

Red Light or Green Light?

• Do you think citizens’ will go vote for the election? _____________________

• What are some reasons as to why a citizen will/will not go vote? _____________________

Red Light or Green Light?

• Is the United States contributing to global warming? ______________________

• How could the United States reduce the effects of global warming? ____________________

Examples of Open-ended Questions

• How would you…?• What would result if…?• How would you describe…?• How does…compare with…?• What is the relationship between…?• What would happen if…?• How could you change…?• How would you improve…?• How do you feel about…?• Why do you believe…?• What is your opinion of…?• What choice would you have made…?• What would you do differently?• Why do you feel…?• How would you go about solving the problem…?• If you were in this position what would you do?• Why do you/don’t you support…?• What could improve…?