Strategies for responding to student questions

There are many ways in which an instructor can respond to questions from students. However, all
strategies begin with this important step: Listen to the student's question. After you are certain that you
understand the question, be sure that other students have heard and understood the question. Then
proceed with one of the following strategies:

1. Understanding the Question

It’s impossible to offer an accurate answer when a teacher doesn’t understand a student’s question. If
this is the case, it’s important for a teacher to ask the student for clarification in a way that doesn’t
discourage him or her from asking questions in the future. If the student is having trouble restating the
question, the teacher may want to offer some assistance. For instance, a teacher may ask, ‘Do you want
to know more about the motivations of character X in the story?’ Also, the teacher may add a comment
such as, ‘I think a lot of students who read this story wonder about that…’ In short, a teacher can help a
student to clarify his or her question without making the student feel awkward or embarrassed.

2. Being Direct
There are some questions that require a direct live answer from a teacher. By giving a direct answer, a
teacher is able to convey accurate information to a student and keep the lesson moving forward.
However, a direct answer doesn’t require a student to put his or her mind to work. For instance, say a
student asks the question, ‘Who assassinated President Lincoln?’ Some teachers may opt to quickly
provide the answer, then continue on with the lesson. Alternatively, a teacher can bring up some
background facts on John Wilkes Booth to get the student’s mind working toward the answer. Direct
answers are appropriate in some instances, but a student is more likely to retain the information if he or
she puts forth the mental effort to find an answer.

answer as pointedly and briefly as possible – be straightforward in your answer and avoid providing all
information that you know about the topic
-Go straight point.

3. relate questions to the course content, even if they are tangential – remind students of
how a seemingly unrelated question does pertain to course content as every question if a
learning opportunity.

-tangenial-not related

-entertain questions that are brought out in the class even it is not related to the topic if it is
opportunity in learning,

4. Praising
-reinforce participation on a continuous basis and in a variety of direct and indirect ways by praising
students for asking or answering a question.
-Teacher gives positive remarks to students who answers and ask questions.
Praising
It’s likely that when one student poses a question to the teacher there are several other students in the
class who have the same question in mind. Teachers who want to encourage their students to ask more
questions should praise students brave enough to ask them. Teachers can make comments such as,
‘That’s an important question, I’m glad you asked that…’ Other students will see the teacher’s reaction
to questions and will feel more comfortable about raising their hands.

5. Redirect the question to the class. This strategy helps to encourage student-to-student interaction
and to lessen reliance on the instructor for all information.
ask for comments or answers from other students – you can redirect a question from one student to the
entire class
-#3, from the questions brought out specially if you can gauge that some member of the class know the
answer instead of you as a teacher answering the question you can ask some member of the class do
the answering.
• Ask whether someone in the class can answer the question. Most times after class you should
follow this with an attempt to determine whether the information provided was accurate or based on
sound reasoning and credible sources.

6. avoid implicit discouragement 

especially if a question pertains to a topic already covered or diverges towards a tangential topic
-don’t give negative remarks to questions that tries to divert the lesson to another topic.

7. answer questions immediately – always provide a response to avoid discouraging students; however,
you can ask other students to respond or postpone the question (if it is too divergent or complex) until
after class
- Don’t delay giving them the answer
- any idea from the class .. ask the other member of the class if any other ideas…
-When question are complex that it needs to research you can postpone the question.
If you don't know the answer to a student question never fake an answer.
• Either propose a plan for obtaining evidence for answering the question or ask the students to
suggest how the question could be investigated.
• Volunteer to find the answer yourself and report back to the class. Make sure you actually do
return with the answer if you choose this option.

8. Refer the student to a resource where she can find the answer
• If possible, suggest a resource where the student can find information. The resource may be
written material, another faculty or staff member, a student, or someone from the community.