FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Divergent questions are designed to encourage which type of thinking?

1. Memorization of facts

2. Uniform responses from students

3. Critical thinking and multiple answers

4. Procedural knowledge and step-by-step solutions

The correct answer is: Critical thinking and multiple answers

Divergent questions are specifically crafted to stimulate critical thinking by encouraging students to explore various perspectives and generate multiple possible answers rather than converging toward a single correct response. This type of questioning promotes creativity and enhances problem-solving skills, as students are invited to analyze a situation, consider different viewpoints, and formulate unique solutions based on their understanding and creativity. In contrast, questions that focus on memorization of facts tend to limit students' engagement with the material to rote recall, which does not foster critical thinking. Additionally, seeking uniform responses stifles diverse viewpoints and creativity, while inquiries that emphasize procedural knowledge tend to focus on specific methods or steps for arriving at a solution, which can restrict exploration and limit students' ability to think critically or approach problems from various angles. Thus, the emphasis on critical thinking and the acceptance of multiple answers aligns well with the goal of using divergent questions in an educational setting.