Asking good questions

This is an exploration into asking good questions. To prepare, choose and solve a puzzle or brain teaser. It can be a word puzzle, a number puzzle, a geometry puzzle, a brain-teaser toy such as the 15s puzzle, any kind—so long as you find it challenging, ultimately overcome it, and look back to understand how you did it. The challenge, the victory, and the self-reflection are all important preparation.

Which puzzle it is exactly is not particularly important, so long as you don't solve it quickly and easily, while you are indeed able to solve it in the end. It is okay to change your mind about which puzzle to prepare.

In class, you will be paired with another student and take turns. When it is your turn, you will present your challenge to your partner, and they will try to solve it on the spot. Your role will be to help them by asking good questions. Neither leaving them alone to flounder, nor giving them the answer, is helpful; your assignment is to use your experience with the puzzle to help them create their own solution.

When you switch, you will have to try to solve their puzzle, and they will help you.

Remember, the solutions are not the point, and neither are the puzzles. Teaching, helping, asking, etc. as you work with another person is not easy and must be practiced, and that is the actual project.