A Study On The Theory And Practice Of "Questioning" In Middle School Math Teaching

"It is more important to put up questions than to solve them", said Einstein. Another mathematician stated, "It is the conciliation of the questions that consists of the main parts of mathematics." These statements were once again proved by the development of mathematics. A good question can lead to a theory and even a new study area. It is no doubt that "questioning" is one of the main factors that promote the development of science because question creates its key and a proper theory.A Chinese scholar, Zhuxi once said that one should find questions while reading and try to figure them out, during which one could make progress. He gave a deep analysis of the knowledge acquisition. In the 6th International Mathematics Education Convention of 1988, a new concept of mathematics education was put forward, and it improved the process from learning math to making math. From the angle of purpose, the concept changed the aim of learning mathematic knowledge to the application of mathematics; in view of educational process, this concept would emphasize to bring up students' ability of self-study rather than passively learning mathematics knowledge, but "questioning" has been playing a key role in the changing process of mathematics education; psychologically, our way of thinking is stimulated and maintained with new questions and the process of question-settlement. "Questioning" can also be applied in teaching evaluation, teaching reformation, teaching feedback and teaching control. Therefore, "questioning" or "how designing questions" is an issue worth further study.This paper tries to define "what is a question" and "what is a good question"; put forward some important factors concerning with question; then describe the position and role of teachers and students in questioning situation in activities of middle school mathematics teaching and last explore the interaction and transformation of teacher-student's roles and positions. In the main part of this paper, the theory and practice of "questioning", the author discusses its aim, principle, strategy, type, process, demand, problem chains and the shortcoming and prevention as well. With some teaching cases' analysis, this paper will stimulate readers to think of and concern this concept.