Overview
This lecture explains Arthur Costa's three levels of questioning and thinking, why asking good questions matters, and how these concepts are applied in AVID tutorials.
The Importance of Questions
- Questions help drive learning and critical thinking.
- Not all questions are equally valuable; some lead to deeper understanding than others.
- Good questions can make you a better learner and thinker.
Arthur Costa and His System
- Arthur Costa developed a system to classify questions by their level of thinking.
- Costa's system is central to AVID's approach to inquiry and learning.
Costa’s Levels of Thinking and Questioning
- There are three levels: Level 1 (gathering), Level 2 (processing), and Level 3 (applying).
- Level 1: Input tasks that involve simple recall or searching for information (e.g., memorization, fact-finding).
- Level 2: Processing tasks that require organizing, comparing, or explaining information.
- Level 3: Output tasks that involve applying knowledge to new situations, making judgments, or creating something new.
Visualizing the Levels
- The three levels can be visualized as a house: Level 1 is the foundation, Level 2 is the middle, Level 3 is the top.
- All levels are necessary and support each other in building understanding.
Identifying Levels of Questions and Tasks
- The level of a question or task is determined by the verb used (e.g., find = Level 1, compare = Level 2, hypothesize = Level 3).
- Not all tasks are phrased as questions; commands like "define" or "solve" also fit into the levels.
Examples of Questions by Level
- Level 1: "What do you see in this picture?"
- Level 2: "Compare and contrast the gun and the gavel."
- Level 3: "Hypothesize what this picture is trying to communicate."
Application in AVID Tutorials
- AVID emphasizes inquiry, especially in tutorials.
- The tutorial request form (TRF) must start with a Level 2 or 3 question.
- During tutorials, students ask questions to help the presenter clarify their confusion; higher-level questions encourage deeper thinking.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Arthur Costa — Educator who developed a system for classifying questions to support deeper thinking.
- Costa's Levels of Thinking — Three levels of questions: gathering (Level 1), processing (Level 2), and applying (Level 3).
- AVID — A program focused on Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading to improve student learning.
- Inquiry — Seeking information through questioning.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Complete your Cornell notes by adding questions, summaries, and annotations.
- Use your levels of thinking handout to create Level 1, 2, and 3 questions about provided material or images.
- Prepare a Level 2 or 3 question for your next AVID tutorial request form.