What role does a relay question play in classroom interaction?

A relay question is designed to promote engagement and interaction among students in the classroom. By encouraging audience participation, it allows learners to share their thoughts, experiences, and insights, fostering a collaborative learning environment. This type of question typically invites students to build on each other's ideas, creating a dialogue that enhances understanding of the topic being discussed.

In contrast, closing the discussion would stifle engagement, as would limiting responses, which would hinder the flow of conversation. Testing the instructor's knowledge is not the primary purpose of a relay question; rather, it focuses on energizing the classroom dynamics by drawing students into a collective exploration of the subject matter. Thus, the role of a relay question is fundamentally about engaging the audience and promoting active participation in the learning process.