Questioning is an integral part of all strands of formative assessment, or
"Assessment for learning": self and peer assessment, feedback, sharing
learning intentions and using summative assessment formatively. It is an
area traditionally characterised by a good deal of "instinctive" practice –
what teachers "just do". However, teachers working within the
Assessment for learning project in Brighton and Hove have found it
helpful to reflect on that practice in order to identify ways to develop
questioning techniques that enhance their teaching, promote higher
order thinking and thus improve learning. Extending the repertoire of
questioning strategies employed has also been noted as having a
marked effect on pupils' motivation to learn.