Socratic or dialogic questioning provides not only a useful classroom technique
but a basic justification of the teacher’s role. In recent times, there has been a renewed
interest in teacher questioning and classroom discussion as an aid to students’
acquisition of concepts. For example, the UK ‘Thinking Together’ programme for
primary school children aims to develop critical thinking through appropriate
questioning by peers and teachers (Dawes et al. 2000). Even in distance or online
learning contexts, it is important to create a learning environment that allows for the
possibility of multiple interpretations in order to guide learners towards a better
understanding of concepts.