CTC Instructional Methods & Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A team coach wants to help members experience a concept firsthand rather than just hear about it. Which instructional method best achieves this?
- Lecture-based teaching
- Experiential learning activity (Correct answer)
- Reading assignment
- Watching a video
Correct answer: Experiential learning activity
Experiential learning engages participants directly through doing, which deepens retention and understanding compared to passive methods.
Question 2: During a retrospective, the coach notices team members are hesitant to speak honestly. Which facilitation technique best addresses psychological safety?
- Anonymous written input before group discussion (Correct answer)
- Having the manager speak first
- Skipping open discussion and using only polls
- Extending the time limit
Correct answer: Anonymous written input before group discussion
Anonymous input lowers the social risk of sharing, making it safer for team members to express honest views before open dialogue.
Question 3: A coach uses the 'fishbowl' technique in a workshop. What is the primary purpose of this method?
- To isolate underperforming team members
- To allow an inner group to discuss while outer observers listen and reflect (Correct answer)
- To divide the team into competing factions
- To assess individual knowledge levels
Correct answer: To allow an inner group to discuss while outer observers listen and reflect
The fishbowl technique creates an observed inner circle discussion, giving the outer group insight into different perspectives and communication styles.
Question 4: Which questioning technique is most effective for deepening a team's reflection during a coaching session?
- Leading questions
- Closed yes/no questions
- Open-ended questions (Correct answer)
- Rhetorical questions
Correct answer: Open-ended questions
Open-ended questions invite deeper thinking and exploration rather than simple one-word answers, fostering richer team reflection.
Question 5: A coach introduces a case study from a different industry to help the team solve their current challenge. This approach is best described as:
- Benchmarking by analogy (Correct answer)
- Direct instruction
- Peer teaching
- Simulation
Correct answer: Benchmarking by analogy
Using cross-industry case studies as analogies helps teams gain fresh perspectives by drawing parallels to solutions from outside their own domain.
Question 6: What is the main advantage of using 'think-pair-share' in a team coaching session?
- It allows the coach to dominate the discussion
- It forces consensus on every issue
- It gives individuals time to formulate thoughts before sharing with the group (Correct answer)
- It reduces session length
Correct answer: It gives individuals time to formulate thoughts before sharing with the group
Think-pair-share builds individual reflection and peer dialogue before broader group discussion, increasing quality of contributions.
Question 7: When a team is stuck in abstract debate, which instructional technique can ground them in concrete reality most effectively?
- More theoretical frameworks
- A role-play or simulation exercise (Correct answer)
- Extending the debate time
- Assigning individual research
Correct answer: A role-play or simulation exercise
Role-play and simulations make abstract scenarios tangible by having team members act through them, revealing real dynamics and solutions.
CTC Instructional Methods & Techniques 2
A team coach wants to help members experience a concept firsthand rather than just hear about it.
Which instructional method best achieves this?