First time teaching and students are argueing text book material
My first time teaching, I was instructed to teach out of the book. If I notice an error I would take it the head department and discuss it with them, but what do you do when a student insist the text book is wrong when really it isn't? They believe because they found it on a website that its reliable, and the test question should be changed.
Kimberly,
Good strategy. Thanks for sharing it with us. It is easy to see what they are trying to do and solve the problem as you are. You made me smile when I read that no one waits after class to ask such questions. It is funny how interest can change when they are on their own time isn't it?
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have noticed that when the students do things of this nature, they are also finding ways to get the instructor off topic and it causes delays in the teaching process. I am constantly getting asked off subject questions. I simply tell them if they have further questions regarding that off topic issue, they can see me after the class so that we can discuss it further. No one ever waits after class to talk about it and it resolves the time used in class.
Andrew,
Good response for instructors to consider when faced with such situations. This way your are increasing the accuracy of what is being shared with students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
That could lead into a much larger discussion about the realiabilty of information from various kinds of sources. Investigate the complaint - find out where the info came from, and what it's editorial standards are (if it has any). Note that textbooks have extensive peer review before they become published, and that scholars stake their reputations on what they publish. Explain how many websites lack this kind of investment, and that the credibilty of their information can be questioned.
Souad,
When faced with something like this I tell the students to research the information using three difference resources, one of which can be a website. If the information is consistent then I can discuss how the textbook is wrong. It is at this point they start to lose interest fast because they are just wanting to find an error rather than really researching a suspected error.
Gary
