Not knowing the answer?
When the times arise that we do not know the answer to a student's questions, which way is the best to state this?
Hi Kenisha, Thanks for your post to the forum. Great observation! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I agree that being honest and admitting that you don't know is the best way to handle not knowing the answer. Students respect instructors more when they can admit that they are not perfect and don't know everything. Sometimes we have to come down to their level to be able to relate to them more.
you would want to show your students that it it ok to not know something. By admitting it, you are being sure to give correct information and showing the student what they need to do to find an answer.
I strongly agree because from my expereince I've had students try to trip me up with questions and how I dealt with it is by saying 'Let's look up the answer together that way you can refer back to it later if you need to."
Students need to know that instructors don't have all the answers and I agree that the studens and the instructors should investigate for an answer to open class discussion of the results of both parties.
Tell them it is a great question, admit that you don't know, and offer the opportunity for the students to find the answer and bring it back to the class. The instructor should follow up with the answer as well, so the discussion can broaden and continue.
Hi Glenn, Thanks for your post to the forum. I think it is best to honestly admit that you do not know the answer and commend the student on having a good question. Then I promise to find the answer for the next class. Of course if you have a student who constantly attempts to "Stump the Professor". I ask that student to research the question and get back to the class with the answer. Best wishes for success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
