FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

When should a teacher ask a follow-up question to a student?

1. When the student is distracted

2. When the original answer was too brief

3. When the student appears confused

4. When the lesson is nearing an end

The correct answer is: When the original answer was too brief

Asking a follow-up question is particularly effective when the original answer provided by the student is too brief. This approach allows the teacher to encourage deeper thinking and elaboration on the student's initial response. By prompting the student to elaborate, the teacher can gauge their understanding of the topic more accurately and facilitate a more comprehensive discussion. It also encourages students to process the information more thoroughly, which can be beneficial for their learning process and retention of the material. In contrast, situations such as when a student is distracted may not yield productive responses, and asking follow-up questions at that moment might not capture the student's full attention or provide meaningful insight. When a student appears confused, the teacher might first need to clarify the original question or provide additional context rather than asking a follow-up, as this could add to the confusion. Lastly, asking follow-up questions when the lesson is nearing an end may not allow sufficient time for students to expand on their thoughts or fully engage with the material, reducing the effectiveness of the follow-up interaction.