In his latest column for Ingenious, David Staley introduces a bold idea in "A Question-Centered Theory of Higher Education," inspired by Pia Lauritzen's book "Questions." Staley, who teaches history to mostly non-major students, notices a problem: his students struggle to ask good research questions. He wonders if this is because they're used to just memorizing answers for tests, rather than learning how to ask questions themselves. This issue goes beyond just his classroom; it touches on how we
think about education itself.
Staley suggests that learning to ask good questions is key to truly understanding a subject. This is especially important now, as AI technology like ChatGPT becomes more common. These AI tools can easily generate
answers, but Staley argues that the real skill we should teach students is how to ask thoughtful questions that lead to meaningful answers.
He believes that focusing on question-asking can help students become more creative and critical thinkers. This approach would also prepare them to better use AI, not just by feeding it prompts, but by engaging with it more deeply through smart questioning. Staley's proposal is not just about changing how we teach; it's about preparing students for a future where asking the right questions is more valuable than knowing the right answers.
