Challenging Students
When I am dealing with a student who is challenging either me as an instructor or the information given, I give them the assignment to prove me wrong or help me to see their point of view. When giving their opinion/point of view it can not be just "hear say" they must provide the research along with their claim or the must remain quiet.
I have good results by using this technique. It curbs the student from being to confrontational as well show the other students that it is OK to challenge the instructor and that everyone learns to ask questions. The question that is not asked is the only stupid question.
I have students that always challenge me I always ask for proof if they can prove their point in their text book.
I have one student who, after I just lectured on a topic will ask me for the information again. He believes that I am his "go to" gal. So I politely give him the pages of the text book and tell him to read the information. I explain that some students learn better by reading the information than being lectured in class.
Do you thiink this would discourage other students from asking questions? I realize there are some that want to question simply to disrupt or try and prove an instructor wrong, but I think this reaction may discourage others.
Hi Michell,
Fair enough and I bet most of the time these students have to remain quiet. Some students thrive off of proving the instructor wrong.
Patricia Scales
