Andrew Barnett (Fort Lauderdale) discusses how to ask better questions and make the most of any learning opportunity.

1. HOW TO ASK BETTER
QUESTIONS
ANDREWBARNETTFL.COM

2. learning about anything is about more than just passive
listening. Instead, you have to ask questions and take an
active role in your learning experience to fully comprehend
the material.
REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU ARE
In order to optimize any situation,
check out these tips!
ANDREWBARNETTFL.COM

3. During the lecture part of a course, seminar or training, you
should take notes about the content. These notes can
inspire questions, but you can also write questions within
the notes. Having a highlighter to underline inquiries of
particular interest allows you to quickly return to your
unanswered questions when the time comes. Furthermore,
having questions prepared can assist you in better
articulating your thoughts and avoiding stuttering or
rambling.
TAKE NOTES
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4. ANDREWBARNETTFL.COM
Most teachers or instructors have had the experience of
repeated questions. Some audience members mentally doze
off until they're ready to get their personal questions
answered. It’s tempting, but also not really the best idea.
Asking better questions involves listening to the previous
conversations, partly so you don’t repeat the same question,
but also so you can build off of previous ones.
LISTEN TO QUESTIONS FROM OTHER
PEOPLE
If the material still isn’t clear, you ask for clarification, but
asking the same exact question as someone else only
indicates you weren’t paying attention. Not a good look.

5. Two key strategies to asking useful questions are to offer
open-ended inquiries and to provide follow-up questions. A
brief response in the positive or negative is often not enough
substance and doesn’t really provide opportunities to learn.
It limits your answers, which is unhelpful if you don’t fully
understand the topic.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING
ANDREWBARNETTFL.COM
Allowing questions to turn into conversations is a wise way
for people to learn.

6. ANDREWBARNETTFL.COM
While some shy away from group discussions, others are overly eager to
be involved. This level of eagerness can lead to an asking of meaningless,
nonsensical questions. Yes, participation will help everyone around you,
but you want to make sure it’s adding to the conversation.
DON’T TALK FOR THE SAKE OF
TALKING
Essentially: don’t ask questions simply for the sake of talking.
Questions should be authentic, and they should add meaning and
value to the conversation.

7. Asking better questions will serve you
in all aspects of your life, and not just
in a classroom or staff meeting.
Taking the time to thoughtfully
prepare questions and to enter into a
conversation are useful ways to
expand upon your already-existing
knowledge and to contribute to the
understanding of the group as a
whole.

8. THANK
YOU
FOR VIEWING!
For more content about professional
development, visit Andrew Barnett at his
website below!
ANDREWBARNETTFL.COM