Educate Yourself Online: Questioning is an Important Intellectual Tool

“All our knowledge results from questions, which is another way of saying that questioning is our most important intellectual tool." (Neil Postman)

A learner is by nature a questioner. If there is a drive in an individual to increase knowledge, skills or understanding it is driven by doubt, wonderment, incomprehension, puzzlement, uncertainty, recognition of a need, or curiosity. This drive is then focused through questions that the learner formulates and actively seeks to find answers to. They may be simple questions that seek clear facts, or complex questions that probe deep into concepts, beliefs and understandings. The question may provide an answer that solves the learning need or may lead to further questions as knowledge and understanding grows. It is obvious though, that however simple or complex an issue is, a good clear relevant question will be of far greater use to the learner than a question that is vague, poorly defined or irrelevant.

Thinking is central to all learning and there is no learning without thinking, but central to thinking is questioning. It is our questions that fuel and drive our thinking. If schools hold a vision or goal that goes beyond the delivery of curriculum content, and if schools want to equip pupils with the skills of learning, then it becomes obvious that a primary skill for any independent learner is the ability to ask clear, well defined and relevant questions.

Curiosity is a great blessing given to man by Allah. It is arisen through observations. When a person sees a new thing which is not known before, it is natural he wants to know about it. Many questions arise and to get the answer he asks many persons or reads the books, goes to the libraries to quest his thirst. This thing increases his knowledge. While researching his queries he finds much knowledge. This process never seems to be ceased and provides a base for accumulation of knowledge. Questioning is very common in daily life as well. When you go to a shop, for instance, to buy a laptop, many questions arise in the mind like what is the price, the model, the speed etc. These questions help you decide the purchase of the laptop. Or you have to buy a toy for your kid; the shopkeeper may ask you how old is the child? According to age he will chose the toy for child and give you many choices.

Many orators use the questioning as a technique to attract the attention and arises the suspense in the audiences’ minds.

Interview is the other example to use the questions to get the information from a person. In journalism it is very basic and important technique. In debates and discussions question play a vital role to keep the talk go on. It is said, “Who asks more learns more”. There are many web sites and forums to get your question answered. Questioning plays an important role in keeping the learner active and busy. I have also arranged a quiz for your active participation.

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