What kind of questions promote higher-order thinking?

The correct answer highlights the importance of questions that require students to engage in higher-order thinking skills, which are critical for deep learning and understanding. Higher-order thinking goes beyond simple recall of facts; it involves analyzing information, synthesizing new ideas, and evaluating different concepts or arguments.

Questions that prompt analysis, synthesis, and evaluation encourage students to break down complex ideas, make connections between different pieces of information, and form judgments based on evidence. For example, a question asking a student to compare and contrast two characters in a story requires them to analyze the traits of each character and synthesize that information to draw a conclusion. This type of cognitive engagement helps students to think critically and develop problem-solving skills.

In contrast, other types of questions like those focused on recall and memorization primarily require students to remember facts without requiring any deeper understanding or application of knowledge. True or false questions can also tend to be binary and limit the depth of student reasoning. Multiple-choice questions with obvious answers do not challenge a student's reasoning abilities or promote critical thinking since they do not encourage deeper exploration of the material. Therefore, the focus on analysis, synthesis, and evaluation aligns perfectly with the goals of fostering higher-order thinking in students.