A Study on Using Questions during Lectures in Medical School: Reality vs. Awareness of the Professors

Jeong, Hae Jin; Lee, Sang Yeoup; Kim, Yong Ki; Kim, Yun Jin; Kim, Hae Kyu; Park, Nam Hee; Park, Byung Kyu; Park, Jae Hong; Baik, Seong Wan; Woo, Jae Suk; Yoon, Sik; Lee, Won Suk; Rhim, Byung Yong; Chang, Chulhun L; Jeong, Ihn Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE
Questions are known to be an important teaching technique. And, waiting for the answers is essential in making questions effective and valuable. The objective of this study is to evaluate the status of the use of questions during lectures and to survey the level of awareness of the professors regarding the questioning method including waiting time in one medical college. METHODS: The study subjects were 42 medical college professors who have been lecturing to second year medical students from February to June 2004. The questionnaire consisted of 28 items on the questions used during their lectures. The lecturers were observes by an appointed student to get data on the characteristics of questions used. RESULTS: Most of the professors observed in this study used questions during lectures, predominantly questions requiring answers. The waiting time, however, for answers was too short than reported in the literature. About 50% of the professors answered that their usual waiting time is between 6 to 10 seconds but the results of the observation showed that the average waiting time was 0.6 second. CONCLUSION: There was significant discrepancy about waiting time between the results of the questionnaire and the data from the observation. Because the average waiting time was much shorter than expected, follow up studies after feedback and education would be recommended.