Learning Technique: Hinge Questions

• Lessonup
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• BTEC, GCSE

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Instructions

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What is a hinge question?

A hinge question is one of the most important features of formative assessment. It allows a teacher at multiple points in a lesson to qualify the learning of their pupils, and decide whether to continue with new content or revise the content that has been previously taught. Linked extensively with Rosenshine's principles of 'checking student understanding' and 'presenting new knowledge in small steps'.

Watch this video for more information about hinge questions.

Hinge questions

Learning Technique

What is a 

'Hinge Question'?

A hinge question is one of the most important features of formative assessment. It allows a teacher at multiple points in a lesson to qualify the learning of their pupils, and decide whether to continue with new content or revise the content that has been previously taught. Linked extensively with Rosenshine's principles of 'checking student understanding' and 'presenting new knowledge in small steps'.

For example...

What does

'Magna Carta' mean?

1. Great Charter
2. Grand Chart
3. Big Deal
4. Mega Car

This an example of an early hinge question, because the students are not far through the course, I want to check their understanding of key terms within the context of their learning. I also want to examine how methodic they are with the application of historical language. If they can't remember the key terms, my next lesson would already be much more difficult for myself and my students.

The Kings sarcophagus was made from solid _______.

1. Wood
2. Gold
3. Stone
4. Paper

This is now a hinge question based on prior learning. Having examined the story of the discovery of Tutankhamun last week, I am using this as a way to ensure my students do not need a thorough recap. if they do, it is easy for me to provide a resource for them to help them reflect on the learning last week, be it a video or another paper-based resource to compound their understanding.

Who did Anne Frank

write her diary entries 'to'?

1. Peter
2. Hanneli
3. Kitty
4. Bep

Finally we have an example of a hinge question for an end of term summative assessment, which will help me plan their starters and home assignments for next term. Although this question may seem tedious, I would rather they all got it correct and confirmed I could move on easily, than have it as an oversight when we revisit the topic for revision in a terms time.

Alternatively...

"The key reason for the breakout of WWI was the increased focus on rearmament in the early 20th century; Discuss"

LO: To examine the common theories of why WWI was 'inevitable in relation to European economic and military growth.

A slightly more advanced type of hinge question would be to plan Hinge questions as titles or lesson objectives for your students, ensuring that the teacher consistently refers back to the question throughout the class discussion. Not only does this allow for a constant insight into the depth and breadth of knowledge your students possess, but it also helps frame their learning into an applicable exam-based question, that will be invaluable when it comes to the summer examinations. Once again, this will also help them produce high-quality revision aids for the future. 

This concept it related very strongly to the concept of 'inquiry-based learning'.

Aardappeloproer

1917

Enkele Amsterdamse vrouwen zagen dat er een schip vol aardappelen in een van de grachten lag. Ze gingen erop af en plunderden het schip: hun schorten vol aardappelen. De dag erna waren er meer plunderaars. Pas nadat zes mensen door het leger werden doodgeschoten, keerde de rust terug