1. Teaching by asking

Rather than ‘teaching by telling', start the topic by asking students a question which leads to what you want to teach. For example:

“What methods are used to market food products? Think of as many as you can.”

“Why do you think managers value staff training?”

“Who would have supported Cromwell, who would not, and why?”

“Here is a maths problem you can't solve with the methods we have seen so far - how would you solve it?”

Students work in pairs or small groups (buzz groups) to answer a question or series of questions using common sense, experience, and prior learning. Students can all have the same questions, or they can be given different questions on the same topic. This group discussion can last for literally a minute or less, or for 20 minutes or longer.

Ensure each group has a scribe, and check their attention to task, and the quality of their work, by checking what the scribes have written down. Ask them if they need more time, and if they have finished, ask each pair or group for one idea they have had, ensuring that each group offers something. Write the strong ideas on the board saying a little in support of each idea if you wish. Allow the class to discuss any points of disagreement until they have agreed a common answer.

When the class has its common answer, ‘top up' the answer with any additional points the class has missed, and correct any misunderstandings. If students get half of the answer, it saves half of the teacher talk, and generates interest and thinking skills.