Question quadrant
Also known as: question sort
The question quadrant is a thinking tool developed by Phillip Cam (2006) to elicit and generate meaningful and purposeful questions to guide learning. Open and closed questions lie along one axis while literal and inferential/applied questions lie along the other. Initially teachers support students to identify where questions lie within the grid, then students progress to generating their own questions.
ICT templates
Make sure you are logged into your Microsoft account (new window) or Google account (new window) before accessing these templates. For more support refer to Getting started with technology (new window)
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Office 365 |
PowerPoint – Question quadrant (new window) |
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Google G Suite |
Slides – Question quadrant (new window)
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Apple |
Keynote – Question quadrant (new window) |
How to use with ICT
Teachers share a list of questions and quadrant template, allowing students to sort questions into the correct quadrant. Alternatively, the teacher supports students to generate their own questions.
Single Computer
Project the template, supporting students to generate questions for each quadrant.
External resources
| Title | Link | Description |
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| Question sorts | Question sorts (new window) | Question sorts suppose classifying questions within a quadrant to guide inquiry and deepen understanding. |
| The question quadrant: A stimulus for a negotiated curriculum by Rosie Scholl | The question quadrant (new window) | Rosie Scholl theorises about curriculum, pedagogy and assessment, showing how the Question Quadrant can be used as the central integrating device for negotiating curriculum and assessment with students. |
| Creating questions by James Nottingham | Creating questions (new window) | James Nottingham, a primary teacher from NSW, shares how he uses the question quadrant within an inquiry circle. |
| The question quadrant – Idea into practice by Dave Secomb | The question quadrant – Idea into practice (new window) | Using the Question Quadrant as a way to develop students' inquiry skills, with an example using the text, ‘Me and You’, by Anthony Brown. |
| What is the question quadrant? By North Lakes School | What is the question quadrant? (new window) | James Nottingham from North Lakes School explains how the Question Quadrant can be used to support in-depth discussion. The site has PDF activity templates, displays and examples. |
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Personalised learning
Disability, Learning and Support
When planning to use technology in the classroom it is important to consider the diversity of your learners. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and effective for all. For UDL guidelines, information and additional materials, visit the CAST website.
Many students require technology as an adjustment to support their access to learning. Adjustments (NESA) are actions taken that enable a student with disability and additional learning needs to access syllabus outcomes and content on the same basis as their peers. Enrol in the Personalised learning with technology online course to help you make more informed decisions regarding technology.
For a range of simple, how-to videos visit the Assistive Technology page on the Disability, Learning and Support website. Resources are organised into four sections; Literacy and Learning, Vision, Hearing, Physical and Motor Skills.
High potential and gifted learning and support
When planning to use technology in the classroom it is important to consider the full range of abilities of all learners. High potential and gifted learners may require additional adjustments and deliberate talent development. These strategies include differentiation, grouping, enrichment and advanced learning pathways so students can be engaged, grow and achieve their personal best.
Assessing and identifying high potential and gifted learners will help teachers decide which students may benefit from extension and additional challenge. Effective strategies and contributors to achievement for high potential and gifted learners helps teachers to identify and target areas for growth and improvement.
For further support and advice about how to tailor learning for high potential and gifted students from all backgrounds, visit the High Potential and Gifted Education web section, High Potential and Gifted Education Policy or attend one of the professional learning courses on offer.