Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your post to the forum. I am sure that every instructor has been there at least once! What's important is how we handle it. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Brenda, Thanks for your post to the forum. I think every instructor has been there at some point! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Rick, That is an excellent point - Thanks for sharing!
Susan Polick
Hi Eric, Thanks for mentioning the importance of "follow-up"!
Susan Polick
This some days can happen, it seems, too often but then there are days that it doesnt. However, what I do it tell them, "that is a very good question and I am not sure of the exact answer but I will tell you what my theory is off the top of my head. I will look it up tonightfor the correct answer but I also want you to look it up and we can compare".
I agree that sometimes when I do not know the answer to a question, I beat myself up, but I do let the class know that I do not know the answer. Sometimes, students will Google the question to get an immediate response. Sometimes, I will make it a homework question so that everyone looks up the answer and reports back the next class. Sometimes, I find the answer and get back to them the next class. I have come to realize that I cannot possibly know every answer to every question that arises, but it is important to find out the correct answer.
There were times I too was stunned when I didn't have the answer or didn't have the resource of information, I actually admitted I didn't know the answer, so I would actually asked if anyone know the correct answer or I would follow up with the correct answer the following class time.
As instructors, we are the subject duty experts but we will never know everything. We have to remember that students will respect use more by telling them we don't know the answer but we will find the answer. Once you get the answer follow up with the student.
I've found that when I check my personal pride and put my students' needs above my own need to be right, I garner more respect from my class. No one likes the know-it-all, particularly when its the instructor.
Prepare for your class but also understand that learning is for all in the class.
-R
