Convergent and Divergent Questions

(Adapted by Valerie Bush from http://home.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/EDUC5910iep20 )

Convergent Questions
Focus on finding and
learning THE right
answers
Are documented by an
authority

Divergent Questions
Lead questioners to discover
their own answers

Expose student ideas and

develop a foundation for
research; build personal
investment in finding answers
Lead to an agreement
Common lead to disagreement
on an answer, and may lead to
clarification of issues or further
questions
Are fact based
Arise from imagination and
curiosity
Do not require originality Require and encourage
originality