One-question interviews are designed so that each student has one question to ask classmates. This activity allows students to interview classmates about their opinions and experiences. You can use one-question interviews to activate prior knowledge before introducing a unit, or to find out what students know. This is an example of a communicative, student-directed activity that reduces teacher talk and allows students to learn from each other.
Steps
- For a class of 25 or 30, prepare a set of questions. (You can use anywhere from 1 to 6 questions.) Cut the questions in strips and lay out on top of a desk. Allow students to choose one question each.
- Explain the process: Students should write the question on top of a blank piece of paper, write their own answer to the question, and then ask two or three additional students their question and write the answers on the page.
- Allow 10 minutes or so for the interviews to take place.
- When you call time, ask students who had the same question to get together in a group, review the answers they got, and look for 1) trends or similarities; 2) surprises; 3) things that were striking. (Note: This step may be harder to do if you have just one question.)
- Bring the class together and ask each group to report back briefly.
Instructions for students
- Introduce yourself to another student.
- Ask your interview question.
- Write down their response next to their name.
- Try to interview at least four people!
Sample sets of questions
Math is…
Math can be difficult because…
One way to help ourselves understand math better is…
Science is…
What did you love about science when you were in school?
What did you hate about science when you were in school?
