105 English RESPONDING TO STUDENT QUESTIONS A.Acknowledge all questions - nod head, move towards speaker, smile, "yes" B. Find out what the problem is - subject matter, or pronunciation, new terms C. Don't interrupt. Let student finish asking his/her question. D.Repeat and/or paraphrase questions and answers for class E. Don't panic! F. Check to make sure you've answered the student's question and that the student is no longer confused.
Unit IV
Situation 1. If it's a good question
Phrases * I'm glad you asked that! * That's a good question! * That's an interesting question! * Can we leave that for one moment? * I'll be coming to that soon. * Can we save that 'til later? * For the moment, we only need to accept and learn this formula. 23 * Just accept this for now e.g. 1 mole = 6.03 X 10 molecules. * This is all you need to know for now. * Let's just assume ________ for now.
Action Required Answer, explain, use examples.
2. If it's a good question but you're not ready for it yet
Make sure you do cover the question. Then check with student who asked the question. "Is that O.K. now?" "Have I answered your question?" Explain in a later class, or offer further explanation in office hours or after class, or suggest extra reading.
3. If it's a good question but you don't want to explain the background
Responding to Student Questions (page 2) There are really no bad questions, as all questions show you what the student is understanding but ..... 4. If the answer to the question seems really obvious, and the student is clearly being silly 5. If the answer to a question seems really obvious, but the student is serious 6. If it's a totally irrelevant question 7. If it's an important point * Oh, you know that's not right! Use a little humor.
* I think you may not have understood.
Explain and correct misunderstanding. DON'T be condescending! Offer extra reading or time in office hours or after class. If yes - repeat and explain in different If words. no - perhaps a brief explanation and then after class or in office hours. Anticipate possible difficulties at each stage of your lecture. Where could a student possibly go wrong? Use some of the above. Anticipate possible difficulties. Try to paraphrase possible difficulties.
* That's not our topic today but..... * Does everyone have this problem?
8. If you only hear part of the question 9. If you don't hear any of it 10. If you didn't understand part or all of the question
* You didn't understand what? * Where is the problem? * I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. * Could you speak up so that we can all hear. * Is it the _____ that's the problem. * I'm sorry, I didn't get that. * Could you rephrase the question?
Responding to Student Questions (page 3) 11. If you don't know the answer * I'm sorry I don't know, let me check for you. * My mind's gone blank for the moment. I'll check or you can check. * You know, I just can't remember one I'll find out, ask me tomorrow. * I'm just not understanding your question. Perhaps you could ask again after class and we could sort it out. * I'm not sure what you're asking. * Action go over each stage to find out where the problem is....