Fielding Questions
Beginning students(Theory), love to ask questions off the topic at hand. I try to delicately tell them to wait until we reach that subject, or let them know we can talk about their subject of interest after class.
Hi Steven - I agree with you. Often the subject at hand will spark other topics that students may have questions about.
Sometimes I find it helpful to allow the off subject questions. You can then redirect their attention back to the subject at hand. Most of the time they like it that you just do not dismiss them out of hand.
if the question to faraway from the point at hand i will ask him to keep that as it will keep his attention on the current subject matter. if the question is close to my next point, i sometimes will use the answer to lead into the next point.
in a course like theory i feel that the leason plan should have pauses or breaks for students questions it keeps the class involved and interested in the up and comming cousres theory should be 1/2 knowlege and 1/2 salesman
If a student asks a question before we get to that part of the lecture, I might tell the student to hold off on the thought I need to explain something before I can answer that so it will make more sence. There are times that I will answer that question at that time and then go back to what I was talking about.
