Didactic Questions are questions that help lead a learner to discovery through dialog rather than simple information transfer. For example, if you see that a friend could reach their goals more quickly if they managed their time better, you could ask:
These are Didactic Questions because they are intended to help the mentee see what you see so that they can confirm, clarify, and ultimately own it. Of course, the questions can be manipulative if asked condescendingly. They can also come from your own wrong answers so be willing to be corrected.
All good askers ask questions with ears wide open to learn, especially when they know the answer.
Discovery Questions are intended to open up situations and feelings without a clear understanding of where the answers will lead the discussion. For example:
Observant readers will notice that those are the same questions! As Discovery Questions, however, they lead you both toward an unknown insight. In this case you don’t have a sense of what’s blocking their progress.
As you can see, the two types of questions overlap. Sometimes didactic inquiries surprise us with new discoveries. All good askers ask questions with ears wide open to learn, especially when they know the answer.
Whether Didactic or Discovery, good questions are generated by asking yourself questions first. In the case of Didactic Questions, ask how you came to your conclusion or observation and then turn your answers into questions. In the case of Discovery Questions, reflect on what information remains out of reach for you and what appears to be blocking it.
Stay tuned for Part 4 where we’ll discuss how to ask when you already know.
