Wait-Times Associated with Questioning

Between solicitation (asking the question) and reaction (responding to the student's answer), there is a period of time, called wait-time I, when the student formulates his or her answer and delivers it. The period of time between the student's answer and the teacher's reaction to that answer is called wait-time II.

The routine a teacher uses to acknowledge or call on students affects the length of wait time I. Research has shown that lengthening wait-time to about three seconds (but no longer than three seconds) enhances student attention and yields longer, more complex student answers. (Source: McCown, Roop, (1992) Educational Psychology and Classroom Practice. Allyn & Bacon. All rights reserved.)