Individual Assignment for UOP AET/531

1. Essential Questions
Tammy Jones

2. What Are Essential Questions
 Essential questions are designed to help the student think more critically. They leave room
for students to think deeper and to explore. These questions are important to inquiry-based
or problem based learning. They are important because they require the thinker to go
beyond the yes/no answer. The beauty of essential questioning is its ability to transcend
the” right/wrong answer” mentality.

3. Questions: Basic vs Essential
Basic
 Is this course, Technology for the Adult Learner,
important?
Essential
 Why is a technology course for adult learners
important?

4. Questions: Basic vs Essential
Basic
 Has technology transformed education?
Essential
 Describe how technology has transformed
education. Provide two personal examples of
how it has changed your education

5. Basic vs Essential
Basic
 Is it important for educators to have
technical skills?
Essential
 Explain why it is important for educators to
have technical skills. How do the skills add
value to the students’ learning
experience?

6. Basic vs Essential
Basic
 What is a 21 Century Learner?
Essential
 Compare and Contrast the 20th Century
and 21st Century learner.

7. Basic vs Essential
Basic
 What is the role of the 21st Century
teacher?
Essential
 With the emergence of the 21st century
learner, there has to be an emergence of
the 21st century teacher. Describe the
characteristics this teacher needs to be
successful in the classroom.

8. The Purpose of Questions
 The main difference between the questions on the previous slides is the answer each one
requires. Most of the basic questions can be answered with a basic answer. In most cases
a simple yes or no will do just fine. However, restructuring the question requires a
restructured answer. The answers given to the essential questions will have to be more in
depth and will most likely capture more of the students’ attention. These questions will
cause students to possibly go beyond what they have read in their textbooks or heard
during lecture time. Therefore, causing them to practice more self-directed learning.
 Essential questions or sound questioning techniques prompt students to go beyond what is
told to them or what can be read out of the text book. Sound question techniques can
allow room for personal reflection, give space for real life application and set the stage for
continued learning after the class is over.