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There are no stupid questions!. Or are there?. Let’s consider this. . For each exchange, indicate whether the student asked a good question or an ineffective question. Then, jot down why you believe this is the case. Note: I am very fond of jotting. Scene One.
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There are no stupid questions! Or are there?
Let’s consider this. • For each exchange, indicate whether the student asked a good question or an ineffective question. Then, jot down why you believe this is the case. • Note: I am very fond of jotting.
Scene One • S: Excuse me, Dr. Professor, but I really didn’t understand macro-equilibrius-quintabilus as it applies to the Florida aquifer. Could you explain that again? • Good question Not good Question?
Great question! • P: Sure, great question! In fact, the theory of MEQ is particularly important for estimating water tables blah blah blah.
What makes a question ineffective? • Scene 1: Analysis: questions about subject matter of any kind (content or skills class) are ALWAYS good questions
Scene Two • S: Umm, yo, didn’t understand a thing about that theory stuff (face grimaces, hands wave, etc.). • Good question Not good Question?
Not good question • P: (holds head in hands, despairing)
Scene 2: analysis • First, if the student was in class, why is it that they understand nothing at all? • Second, learning is the student’s responsibility; questions such as this lay the burden on the instructor (essentially, the student is saying “make this so easy for me that I don’t even know I’m working here”). • Third, this is an emotional statement of frustration, not a question – need to recognize the internal states that indicate learning for you: mark the point of a lecture at which you felt your head bursting or you wanted to cry/shout/break something. That is where your questions begin.
Scene Three • S: Excuse me, Dr. Professor, but I missed class on Monday. Did we do anything important? • Good question Not good Question?
Not so good question! • P: No, I never do anything important in class. In fact, I don’t know why we hold class at all. Let’s go grab a beer and shoot some pool.
Scene 3: analysis • Let’s be honest about this – how insulting can you get in so few syllables? Ask this question in a way that doesn’t belittle the professor’s career: “I missed class on Monday. After I get the notes, can I sit down with you and review to make sure I don’t miss an important point?” “Aah,” thinks the professor: “initiative, responsibility, a real student trying to learn.”
Scene Four • S: What do I have to do to get an A in this class? • Good question Not good Question?
Not good! • P: (sarcastically) Nothing, nothing at all.
Scene 4: analysis • The answer to this question is ALWAYS the same: to EARN an A in this class, you must do all the work indicated on the syllabus at a 90% level of performance or better. Don’t know what work is required? READ THE SYLLABUS.
So, what makes a stupid question? • As with all acts of communication, think carefully about your audience and message you want to send!