questioning a teacher!!!
I have found that this comes up in the higher courses that I teach. A student may have a philosophical question for me that they want answered immediately. I have to let them know that I'm not 100% positive, but I promise I'll get back to them in a short amount of time. I feel that to be honest with them and get the right answer to them is better than trying to make something up as you go!!!
My students often ask questions that I cannot immediately answer. I then tell the students to find the answer for the next week. This teaches them how to research answers to their questions. I then use that question as a bonus question on their next quiz or exam. Once the students realize they will receive extra credit most of the students seek out the answer and in the process learn how to research.
HI Scott- Please let me know how that works for you. Best wishes- Susan
I like this idea. I am going to try this one on in class at some point...for the proverbial question I get asked..."why do I need to know this" or "when will I ever need to know this".
HI Cathleen - I like to ask the class if anyone can help James out with the answer. It makes it seem that he didn't know the answer but other students did. This is something the "know-it-all" will find distasteful. Best wishes- Susan
How do you deal with a student that is asking questions he already knows the answer to, but is testing your knowledge of the subject matter?
When students ask me a question a don't know, I let them know I don't know. I also say, well, that looks like something for homework. I research it also.
I totally agree with this method...it also provides some re-enforcement the the instructor is human and we certainly don't place ourselves on some untouchable pedestal. Having the students research the answer is typically my suggestion, purely because that's what I would do in my "work" environment. This also helps develop their researching techniques.
Does this seem to work well.
I feel that it is important that students know that the instructors are not perfect and that they do not always know the answers. When faced with a question that I do not know, I always admit that I am unsure of the correct answer but will look it up, then I suggest "In the meantime does anyone else know the answer to this question." Many times this will get the class to all think about what was asked and we can come up with an answer.
Ask any of my students and they will tell you that I am not afraid to say I don't know, but will look it up and get back to them. It really helps them to respect the intructors when we are willing to admit we don't have all the answers.
I think this is a GREAT idea! I think this would help me to anticipate questions I cannot answer right away, giving me time to look them up. Also, it will help with remembering the question and aid in follow-up with the student/class. Thanks for the tip!
HI Jeff - Thanks for an excellent post to the forum. I have used this technique in training but will try it also in my classroom.
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
In my classes I have a place on the white board called the “Parking Lot.” The “Parking Lot” is used for questions that I cannot or do not feel I can answer adequately at that particular time with out disrupting the flow of the class. Once the question is placed in the “Parking Lot,” I will at more convenient time give appropriate answer. I feel in this way all the students know I am not dodging the question or the student
HI Paul - Thanks for your post to the forum - What a terrific suggestion!! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career and happy New Year! Susan
For most students it works great to get back to them the next day and make it a learning moment for the whole class. I have had students who try to ask as many questions as they can either to keep me off track, or because they love the sound of their own voices. I'm sure you have too. I've found that when they are getting to be a disturbance I have told them that they have so many great questions that in order to get the best response from them the questions need to be in writing. I emphasize that I want and value their question, but they need to be in writing and we will talk about them before the next class. That stops the prattling questions that stop the class very well.
The best thing to do, is to answer honestly to them and let them know you don't know, however will get back to them with the answer.
I never tell a student they are wrong; I tell them I will look into the answer and then we will come back and discuss it together!
When a student asks me a question that I may not have an imediate answer for I try to get the entire class to find the anwser.
