stump questions
how do you respond to questions intened to stump teh instructor?
I often respond by admitting that I do not know the answer or by asking them to look up the answer and letting me know. Sometimes in between breaks I would ask the student to come up and we would do a search for the answer online. Often I do remind the students that as an instructor even I have limits when it comes to recalling or knowing information.
Hi Justin - Thanks for a great response to the "Stump the Prof" situation! Best wishes- Susan
I teach Graphic Design and have been in the field for many years. So, when certain students try to ask "stump the instructor" questions I'll tell the class how in the design field the designers are always challenged by a clients request and since I do not know the answer to the question the student asked this is a perfect opportunity to practice researching/learning on the fly. The class will then try to see who can figure it out first. I'll give them some time but if no one can figure it out I've usually figured it out myself by then and will enlighten the class.
Hi Renee- Thanks for your post to the forum. Your response to the question posed that you cannot answer is straight foward and exactly the way that I handle it. Great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
When a student asks me a question that I do not know the answer to, I usually praise them for their intelligent question. I admit it is not the area of my expertise and tell them I will look into it and provide further information next class.
Hi Richard- Thanks for a great response to the forum! We have all been there! Best wishes- Susan
I actually encourage these kinds of questions.
Lets face facts here:
1) It doesn't take a lot of ego to stand in front of a classroom but it does take a robust ego. Don't let this kind of thing get to you.
2) Its really hard for a student to complete flummox you in your own area of expertise.
Look at it this way: When no one knows the answer, the question becomes interesting. Use the question as a basis of real world discussion, analysis and get the class involved in how to think their way through difficult issues.
Then think your way through the question with the class.
Thanks for this question, Kevin. I found all the responses helpful.
This is a good question. I find that some students want to make you wrong. What I do is probe deeper into why they have this desire, and try to get to the bottom of their behavior.
We have all had a student that from time to time will intentionally try to challenge an instructor with inapropriate questions. I have found that the rest of the class recognises when a student is doing this and will usually disapprove of it.I usually ask the student to stay after class so that we can discuss the question. After class I will then discuss the question with the student and then discuss the differance between appropriate questions compared to inappropriate questions. I explain that appropriate questions enhance the class and the learning experience and inappropriate questions disrupt a class and everyones learning experience.
Hi Loren - Did your "Prof-Stumper" stop that behavior after your comment? Thanks for your post! Susan
When stumped by a student's question I will tell the student that I will bring in a resource book the next day that we both can look up the information so that we will have a better understanding. This demonstrates that the instructor has an interest in learning along with the student.
I just recently had a student who every day would attempt to either stump me or simply take the class off of the topic at hand. I attempted to turn the questioning into a research project to which the student replied they had no time for extra work. I then replied back "EXACTLY we don't (as a class) have time to waste on obscure and/or pointless unrelated questions, so please stop wasting our time". Admittedly it was a bit harsh, but then I realized how important the time was that was wasted for the rest of the students everyday dealing with this student.
Hi Mark - I agree with you, if we do not know the answer we should say so. Frankly I usually than find the answer myself and relate it to the students at the next class. However, if it is clear that the student is making a habit of deliberately and frequently asking obscure questions for the purpose of "stumping the Prof" than I ask that student to research the answer. Best wishes - Susan
As a Chef Instructor, I beleive it is OK to admit that with all the vast amounts of information out there, it is not possible to know everything. For an Instructor to admit that they do not know the answer is not a sign of weakness, but, a sign of respect to the intelligence of the student. Sure, turnit into a research project, but have the humility to admit that you do not know everything.
Hi Nicholas - Welcome to ED 103! You're right, especiallt in a field like culinary there may well be varying techniques that students would see by doing additional research. But, as you point out , discussing how they differ and why will increase their learning. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
I always encourage my students to compliment their education with more research. When their research brings conflicting information to the table we discuss the logic behind the reasoning for the application of such a method. (Pastry Art)
HI Erin - Welcome to Ed 103! I too have used your response to the "Stump the Prof" questions. Sometimes when I reasearch I find some things I never knew- imagine that! ;-)Best wishes for continued in your teaching career. Susan
I do quite the samething. I let them know that it was a good question and that I dont have the answer but lets all do some research and come in and discuss the findings, me as well
