Quiet prompt

This article is about a format used within an exposition for the explainer to get feedback from the learner(s), and/or for learner(s) to self-assess.
View list of in-exposition feedback formats | View summary table of learning techniques (not limited to in-exposition feedback formats)

Definition

A quiet prompt is a technique used in exposition (whether in-class explainer exposition, text exposition, or video exposition) where the learner is asked a question and told to think about it, but does not have an opportunity to communicate the answer to others (the explainer or other learners). After what might be a short pause, the exposition then continues to the "correct" answer (and possibly also calls out misconceptions) and the learner has an opportunity to self-assess and self-correct.

Learning contexts

Quiet prompts in class

In the in-class explainer exposition portion of a class, quiet prompts are an alternative to cold calling, group calling, polling, and voluntary participation. Unlike all the other methods, with a quiet prompt, learners do not share their answers with other learners, and therefore, neither the learner not explainers get feedback on what other learners are thinking.

Quiet prompts for self-learning from text or video expositions

When self-studying from a text exposition or video exposition, quiet prompts may be used by the text or video. Here, the text or video poses the question to the learner. The learner thinks about it, and then the text or video explains the correct answer and possibly calls out misconceptions).

One key difference between quiet prompts in class and quiet prompts in text and video expositions: due to the synchronicity of a class, the amount of time given for a quiet prompt is controlled by the explainer and uniform across learners. In contrast, for text and video expositions, learners generally have the option to take as much or as little time as they need. In the case of video, this could be by pausing or fast-forwarding the video.