Questioning

9(1) Biology

Project on Drug use and misuse

• Part of the Biology 1 GCSE POS

• Guided project leading to peer assessment and a GCSE Grade

• The class had been working on the project for several lessons

Context

Aims of the questioning method used

• To inject some pace into the activity – the girls would be happy to continue with the project indefinitely

• Self assessment – for the girls to check their knowledge is in line a) with the criteria of the project and b) with the requirements of the POS

The Task• Half the group were given questions relevant to

what they need to know• The other half were given the answers – on large

pieces of paper• The girls with the answers had to stand in a row

holding their answers up• In silence the girls had to match up with their

‘partners’• The pairs then sat together and, in turn, chose

someone else in the class to ask their question to

Effectiveness

• The first activity did throw up some misconceptions and gaps in knowledge that I could address

• The second activity ensured that all the class were listening as anyone could be asked; individuals could check on gaps in their knowledge and as a group they could help each other

Limitations• Group size – may be too long winded with large

groups and not extensive enough with small groups

• Group ethos – 9(1) is a top group and so is highly motivated and keen to improve performance

Further development

Work on developing more challenging questions –• Questions with more than one answer• Questions with no right answer to generate

discussion• Questions posed as a start of a topic; to

ascertain previous knowledge or to generate thought