In what ways might questioning techniques improve student learning? What kinds of questions enable educators to tap into different parts of the cognitive domain? How can questions engage students when their attention begins to wander? Many questions at the lower levels of Bloom's Taxonomy--particularly knowledge and comprehension--are closed-ended questions. Higher order reasoning, such as synthesis and evaluation, is stimulated through the use of open-ended questions. Asking an open-ended question is a way to elicit discussion, brainstorm solutions to a problem, or create opportunities for thinking outside the box. The highest-order open-ended questions engage students in dynamic thinking and learning, where they must synthesize information, analyze ideas, and draw their own conclusions, preparing them for the larger community, where few issues are black-and-white. Adolescents need to become critical thinkers, find their own voice, and be recognized for having opinions that matter.