Get Your Students Hired
I am a humble person by nature and often say that I don't know about something if I don't know it in the classroom. Do you advise not doing that? What is a good way to handle being honest with the students about not having expertise in an area?
Hi Larissa,
These type students question and/or counter everything you say. You deal with them privately and professionally, but it needs to be nipped in the bud quickly.
Patricia Scales
Patricia,
My question relates to the previous posters, how/when do you know when the student really is challenging you and what tools are great in dealing with those students that continue to do this?
This is a great topic! When I first began teaching, I felt this way. But, over time I developed am almost 2 phased approach to dealing with knowledge that I was unsure about.
The first part dealt primarily with my facial expressions and body language. Instead of looking stumped and defeated, I changed my facial expression to one of positivity where it resembled more of an "awesome job for thinking outside of the box...good question". I didn't want the student to feel like it was bad to ask difficult questions and I want to encourage them to think outside the box.
The second part was not responding at that moment. For me, when I did, I risked misinformation or not being able to fully explain the question professionally. My choice would always be to say "this is a great question...let me research and make sure that I fully understand that concept. I will get back to you at our next class or I can email you. We can also schedule a time when we can meet in my office or discuss it before or after class". I got to work immediately after class was over and was extremely thorough with the information. Often, being able to explain the material in at least 2 ways, along with handouts, a video, or a demonstration/drawing. It is definitely alot of work but, in the end the student gets one-on-one time, feels engaged and helps me increase my knowledge for the future.
Hi Larry,
Nicely stated! Students will certainly Google an answer, and this can serve as a teachable moment for everyone.
Patricia Scales
Credibility is in honesty. No one can know everything. Letting them know you will find the answer, or as the modern tablet has shown, someone will undoubtedly Google the answer in the time it takes for you to explain that you will find the answer. This then gets the students involved, the solution becomes a topic, and the learning continues.
Remember: "If you don't lie you don't have to remember what you said." Knowledge is easily repeated. Lie's are not.
Hi Amanda,
If time allows you can try to get the answer on the spot, if not continue with the lesson and provide feedback at the next class meeting.
Patricia Scales
I am a new instructor, and this has been one of my biggest concerns. Im glad to know I am not the only one with this issue!! Is it ok to tell them you will get the answer for them tomorrow or should you try and get it when they ask the question?
Hi Nicole,
I agree! You are a big person to admit when you don't know the answer. There are some people who wouuld never admit to not knowing. If I don't know the answer, I do as you have done.
Patricia Scales
Admitting that you don't have an answer builds trust with the students. They can feel confident that the information that you are presenting is accurate. I either follow up with them with an answer, so sometimes I say, "Good question! I don't know the answer. Why don't you look that up for us and let us know what you find out". This engages the student and gives them a chance to be "the one with the answer". It becomes a source of pride.
Hi Jeremy,
I love your perspective with this! If you do not know, simply admit to not knowing and find out by the next class period to share the information with your students.
Patricia Scales
I find that my students PURPOSELY ask me questions to try and stump me - and its obvious that they researched something complicated to try and trick me. I like it though - and usually kid them about taking the time to try and stump me, but not knowing some of the basic stuff for the required lab. I have no problem stating that I either don't know, or have forgotten the particulars of a technique, re-iterating that the education they are getting is for a basic entry level skill and that these skills can be fine tuned as they gain more experience. And I do try to make a game of it - either by having everyone look it up, discuss the question to help promote more critical thinking - especially if the issue is problem solving for patient treatment and outcomes. And I actually try and encourage my students to admit when they don't know, as it provide them the oportunity to learn something new or to freshen up on something that they may have forgotten. How many times have you not known something, researched/looked it up, and actulaly learned something new? I know have, and that is what I try to instill in my lab experience for my students.
Hi Juan,
As instructors, we do not know everything. It is fine to let your students know when you don't know. Just make sure to find out and get back with the student promptly!
Patricia Scales
I believe that not doing is okay. But you can answer Im not sure let me research that for you so I can better explain it to you.
I am just finishing my first year of teaching, and I struggle with this too. But as others have mentioned, I know that students appreciate this more than trying to come up with something that sounds good, or avoiding the question. Sometimes I find that a student in class knows the answer, or knows it to some extent, and then I get to be a student as well. I do try to follow up with questions when I say "I'll look that up", but I tell students that they may have to remind me, if I don't write it down.
Since I'm in Biology, I feel better about not knowing some of the questions they ask...in some cases, no one knows the answer! I actually love it when students ask questions that are on the "cutting edge" so to speak...it shows the importance of continuing research!
Nichole-
I will always tell someone (including students!) that I do not know the answer off the top of my head. There are a couple of ways I tend to handle this: I will either look it up, or I will have the students look it up and bring it to the next class.
Or, if it is something that they are learning how to look up, look it up together! Do the research as a class, and this will also teach them to work cooperatively!
Good Luck!
This is advice that I think I needed to hear. Won't our students expect us to have the majority of the answers on the topics we are teaching?
As a fairly new instructor, I struggle with this too. I do admit to the students if I don't know the answer to the question. I will do my research to find the answer for them for the next time we have lecture class.
Hi Lauren,
Students will respect you more when you admit that you are wrong and do not try to fake things.
Patricia Scales
Nichole,
I also struggle with what to do when I don't know something. I hate admitting that I'm wrong. It's embarassing especially when you're a teacher, but like Patricia says, no one is perfect.