--- title: Asking Questions Help Students in Learning & Problem Solving description: Teaching students how to ask better questions and and learning problem solving techniques is benefit of the Echo360 family's student engagement solutions. image: https://info.echo360.com/hubfs/DS_Photos/iStock_000047121422_Small.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://info.echo360.com/asking-better-questions-assists-students-in-learning-and-problem-solving#main-content) # Echo360 - Uses - [ Higher Education ](https://echo360.com/uses/) - [ Continuing Medical Education ](https://echo360.com/continuing-education/) - Platform - [ Video ](https://echo360.com/platform/enterprise-video/) - [ Engagement ](https://echo360.com/platform/student-engagement) - [ Analytics ](https://echo360.com/platform/analytics) - [Stories ](https://echo360.com/stories) - Connect - [ Blog ](https://echo360.com/blog) - [ News ](https://echo360.com/connect/news) - [ Events ](https://echo360.com/connect/events) - [ Support ](https://echo360.com/customer-portal-login/) - [ Contact ](https://echo360.com/connect/contact) - [Login ](https://echo360.org/login?afterLoginUrl=%2Fhome) - [Documentation ](https://absolut.kohorta.co/documentation) # Asking Questions Help Students in Learning & Problem Solving by [Fred Krazeise](https://info.echo360.com/author/fred-krazeise) on April 20, 2015 [Student Response & Polling](https://info.echo360.com/topic/student-response-polling) ![iStock_000047121422_Small](https://info.echo360.com/hubfs/DS_Photos/iStock_000047121422_Small.jpg) For educators looking to achieve better student learning outcomes, one strategy is to encourage students to ask more questions. But not just any questions. Students need to learn how to ask the right questions to positively impact their learning outcomes. In an article by Cynthia Richettie and James Sheerin, originally published in *The Constructive Classroom,* ASCD explores strategies that instructors can use in [helping students ask the right questions](http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov99/vol57/num03/Helping-Students-Ask-the-Right-Questions.aspx). ## Four Question-Based Problem Solving Techniques The article presented four strategies outlined in the ASCD CompassQuest consortium that help students become better questioners. First, when students are faced with a complex situation, with multiple variables and opinions, they use the SCAN technique. This acronym stands for: - See the issues - Clarify the issues - Assess priorities - Name the steps For solving a problem, which occurs when something goes wrong or an undesired effect occurs, the FIND acronym is recommended. This stands for: - Focus on the problem - Identify what is and what is not - Narrow possible causes - Determine the true cause For students who need to make a decision when several possible options are presented, the SELECT acronym is recommended: - State the decision - Establish and classify objectives - List alternatives - Evaluate the alternatives - Consider any risks - Trust your work and decide Finally, when students are ready to implement a plan or change, the PLAN acronym is used: - Predict potential problems - List likely causes - Agree on preventive actions - Note contingent actions By teaching students these strategies, educators can build critical thinkers, improving learning outcomes in a variety of situations. ## Using Technology to Help Technology makes it easier for teachers to model proper question asking behavior, and then encourages questioning from students in return. The[ Echo360 Active Learning Platform](http://echo360.com/) works to create an interactive classroom where teachers can model questioning techniques and invite good questions from students. Echo360 enables students to [submit questions at any time](http://echo360.com/how-it-works/engagement) during class, anonymously, so instructors can answer quickly.  Photo: ©[iStock.com](http://www.istockphoto.com/photo/student-raising-his-hand-47121422?st=72eea9f)/LuckyBusiness Spread the word: [Share this blog post on Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://info.echo360.com/asking-better-questions-assists-students-in-learning-and-problem-solving) [Share this blog post on Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://info.echo360.com/asking-better-questions-assists-students-in-learning-and-problem-solving) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://info.echo360.com/asking-better-questions-assists-students-in-learning-and-problem-solving) ![Fred Krazeise](https://info.echo360.com/hs-fs/hub/16036/file-1616719357.jpg) #### Fred Krazeise Follow me on my website Follow me on LinkedIn Follow me on Twitter Fred Krazeise is the social media strategist and community manager for Echo360 social media properties. He’s passionate about the power of technology and its’ ability to transform the way we teach, learn, and live. 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