Creating Open Problems. Bruce Williams

Open Ended Questions

Why are they important?

How do I create “good” questions?

How do I use open questions in my classroom?

How do I assess student work?

Open Ended Questions

Examples:

1. Traditional Closed Question:

Multiply 7 x 8

Made into a Closed Real problem.

I went to the zoo yesterday and saw 7 cages with 8 birds in each.

How many birds were there in total?

Made into an Open Problem.

I went to the zoo yesterday and saw cages with birds. There were 8 birds in each cage. How many birds might there have been in total? (Extension: Draw a picture showing your answer).

2. Traditional Closed Question:

Divide 2 into 24

Made into a Closed Real problem.

I want to share $24 equally between two people. How much money do they each get? ?

Made into an Open Problem.

I want to share $24 equally among my friends. How much does each person receive?

3. Traditional Closed Question:

Subtract 35 from 64

Made into a Real Problem.

I had 64 eggs and 35 of them hatched. How many have not hatched yet?

Made into an Open Problem.

I had 64 eggs and some of them hatched. How many may not have hatched yet if just over half have hatched?

 

4. Traditional Closed Question:

What is ½ of 12

Made into a Real Problem.

I have 12 jellybeans and half are red. How many are red??

Made into an Open Problem.

Half of my jellybeans are red. Draw a picture of my jellybeans.

Bruce Williams. CreatingRealMathematicians.com