Elaborative Interrogation
Elaborative Interrogation
Elaborative interrogation is a cognitive learning technique that promotes the learners to speculate why the information they are studying is true. This technique is a . It is the application of the material that the learner interacts with, thus it makes it easier to understand and retain the knowledge, which is why it is one of the most effective learning strategies in a school environment.
What is the purpose of elaborative interrogation in learning?
The main mission of elaborative interrogation is to tackle the lifelong question of how to master something and in the end, one will prove better at the test. It brings students into a kind of reasoning that entangles the new stuff with their old le15ro1re5s, and that way silently makes their recall of the new stuff easier. For example, instead of just memorizing that photosynthesis happens in plants, a student could inquire why this process is a must, thus improving their understanding of the ecological ideas.
How does elaborative interrogation differ from other learning techniques?
With the utmost consideration of their explanations, learners use elaborative interrogation unlike rote memorization and passive reading which do not involve them. Whenever rote memorization focuses on repetition, elaborative interrogation needs learners to make meaningful connections and explanations which are the things that promote critical thinking. To illustrate, a student may say that rather just memorizing historical dates, by discussing the reasons behind significant events, he or she could contextualize the learning.
Can elaborative interrogation be applied to various subjects?
Definitely, elaborative interrogation can be done on various subjects such as science and geography, literature, and mathematics easily. Out of all the subjects, it is purely useful in the areas that need understanding of concepts. As an example, in a science class, while the students are covering the water cycle, they might ask about the reason why evaporation occurs before condensation, resulting in deeper comprehension of the topic concerning the process.
What are some practical examples of implementing elaborative interrogation in the classroom?
Teachers can use elaborative interrogation in the classroom by asking students for open-ended questions that require them to back up their answers with reasoning. For instance, following the learning session on World War II, a teacher may put forward the question, 'Is it true that the Treaty of Versailles was a cause of the war?' This motivates the learners to evaluate whether the material was actually as mentioned, as opposed to forming their own ideas, thus resulting in greater comprehension and retention. Furthermore, sometimes, the technique can be more effective if the students are paired in twos during discussions so that each one can also state his or her own reasoning about the topic.