When students ask a question I don't know
When students ask a question I don't know. Does it make me look unprofessional. I'm so afraid they think I don't know what I'm talking about.
Catasha,
These are most enjoyable times as an instructor. Seeing the students interacting with each other and sharing their newly acquired knowledge is most rewarding for an instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I love having questions asked that we can all learn together. It allows for a teachable moment yet also shows your human.
No Jeannette. What I do is, I address the question to the class and if nobody knows the answer, we all do our research and share it with the class. I always tell my students that I can also learn with them because I'm not perfect and I do not know everything.
Mahmood,
This best way to handle a situation like that. Shows that you are a willing learner yourself and that you will put forth the effort to find the answer to the question raised.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
No one know every thing in the world, if a situation come up in the class just tell the student that you will find the answer and get back to them.
Tierra,
I agree about letting students know you do not know an answer. The fact is that we can't know the answers to everything that comes up in our classes. By saying we don't and then getting the students involved we can come up with the answers to the benefit of everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students asking a question that you do not know does not make you look unprofessional. I am a cosmetology instructor at a college and I always let my students know that I dont know everything. If I am asked a question and I dont know the answer m students and I do the research together and we all learn together. I think that knowingly giving a student inaccurate information is unprofessional.
Louise,
I do to because for me it is fun to go on a knowledge search to answer such questions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Louise,
This is a part of being a teacher. We can't know everything nor do our students expect us to. So admitting it and working to find answers to questions asked is a good way for everyone to grow.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find it a challenge and very stimulating. We are both engaged in the search. Louise Lotte July11, 2013
I admit my lack of knowledge; than I invite the students to search for the answer; we explore together. It proves to be a stimulating process for all of us. Louise Lotte, July 11, 2013
Carrie,
Well said about answering that you don't know an answer. Some of the best discussions can come out of finding the answer and then talking about it with the class. The answer can be found by both the students and the instructor which generates even more discussion because of the different sources used to come up with the answer.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think it is definitely okay to admit you don't know everything and that you will get back to them with the correct answer. This doesn't leave them hanging and shows that you care and are interested in knowing as well. I do think it is an excellent answer to turn it into a learning moment by asking the class to have an answer by the next class period; giving you time as well for the best answer.
Edward,
Aw books and almost forgotten resource that is available to students. Like the way you are helping them to research all resources including books.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have used this tactic also and have found that it works well. Most often they will go to the internet, but this gives me the opportunity to introduce them to the wonderful world of books.
Christina, I do agree to teach is to learn again. I like that saying because you gain so much more knowledge and confidence in what you teach by researching questions or information you are not sure about before, during, and after the class. It makes you that expert in the subject matter. I have implemented majority of the responses here when I am unable to answer a student's questions and it reinforces that I have been doing the right thing. Saudia
I do the same thing. If a student comes to me with a question that I don't know the answer to, then I sit down and try to figure out the answer with the student. I do this to encourage them to seek out the answers on their own, while also showing them how to correctly search for the answer.
Carol,
Good strategy for both you and your students. They have the answers as well as developing their search skills even more.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students like to google answers when this happens. There is a no phone policy but I allow this because it answers the question right away and everyone benefits. It lets them participate in finding the answer to the question.
