For effective teaching, what should instructors continuously seek to improve?

Instructors aiming for effective teaching should continuously seek to improve their questioning skills. Effective questioning techniques can significantly enhance student engagement and learning by encouraging critical thinking, promoting discussion, and helping instructors gauge student understanding. Skillful questioning not only allows teachers to draw out students' existing knowledge and perspectives but also prompts deeper inquiry and reflection on the subject matter.

By honing their questioning skills, instructors create an interactive learning environment that fosters participation and encourages students to articulate their thoughts. This two-way communication is key in building a dynamic classroom atmosphere where learners feel valued and are motivated to contribute.

While the other areas mentioned—teaching materials, assessment techniques, and classroom management—are also important facets of education, the direct impact of questioning skills on student interaction and learning outcomes makes them particularly critical for ongoing improvement in effective teaching strategies.