A dumb question..is ANY QUESTION wher...

June 11, 2005

In a message dated 6/10/05 8:35:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rbkellam writes:

Jeepers, Doc!

All I wanted to do was make Paulina not feel like her question was dumb, and to hopefully help other people not be afraid to ask a very valid question just because they might have felt it was dumb! Sometimes very good questions don't get asked because of fear of feeling dumb, ( or of being publicly humiliated) and if that's the case, how is that helpful?

Hi Rebecca:

I really do appreciate you trying to make me feel better for having, asked a "dumb question." I actually didn't feel bad for having done that, and I know it was not your intention, but I did feel a little bad when your response was one to merely point out that I did a "dumb" thing for having said that my question was dumb.

Although it is a popular myth that there is no such thing as a dumb question, I think there are dumb questions. I consider a question dumb, when a student comes to class, who has failed to do the required reading, and was too busy chatting and failed to pay attention in a lecture, and failed to do any independent thinking, and THEN has the AUDACITY to ask a question that has been covered in the lecture and in the text, and should have been noted in his/her own notebook. That not only is a dumb type of question, but it also takes up the time of the other students who do pay attention, do their homework assignments and are eager to learn.

I am sometimes a bit shy about posting what is on my mind, but that has not stopped me from doing so. Whether I get criticized or praised, or get no feedback at all, I know that I will learn a lot more about myself for having the courage to post, than actually what my original post might have been about.

Paulina

June 11, 2005

In a message dated 6/10/05 10:44:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rbkellam writes:

The question you asked had nothing to do about reading the required material. It was about working the computer. I wasn't trying to point out any type of "dumbness" at all. Sorry if I made you feel that way.

Regarding your thoughts about the myth of dumb questions: When a student is new to a class, however, before materials have been handed out for review, shouldn't it be alright to ask questions? And if it isn't, shouldn't that be part of the description of the class beforehand so the new student will know that, and not ask questions, but do what is expected?

I agree with you that there's a lot to be learned in here whether or not questions are answered.

Rebecca:

The point is that I am NOT new to this "class," and I ought, and do know, for the most part, what the rules and expectations are. But if a new "student" who enters the class in mid-semester, tells another student who has been in class from the beginning how and what to say and do, then perhaps that is jumping the gun a bit. It might be a good idea to hear the teacher's rules and what the expectations are first.

I am not criticizing, nor am I offended, and as I said, I can see your intent was one of support and encouragement.

Paulina

June 11, 2005

Paulina,

The question you asked had nothing to do about reading the required material. It was about working the computer. I wasn't trying to point out any type of "dumbness" at all. Sorry if I made you feel that way.

Regarding your thoughts about the myth of dumb questions: When a student is new to a class, however, before materials have been handed out for review, shouldn't it be alright to ask questions? And if it isn't, shouldn't that be part of the description of the class beforehand so the new student will know that, and not ask questions, but do what is expected?

I agree with you that there's a lot to be learned in here whether or not questions are answered.

Pandora51 wrote:

In a message dated 6/10/05 8:35:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rbkellam writes:

Jeepers, Doc! All I wanted to do was make Paulina not feel like her question was dumb, and to hopefully help other people not be afraid to ask a very valid question just because they might have felt it was dumb! Sometimes very good questions don't get asked because of fear of feeling dumb, ( or of being publicly humiliated) and if that's the case, how is that helpful? Hi Rebecca:I really do appreciate you trying to make me feel better for having, asked a "dumb question." I actually didn't feel bad for having done that, and I know it was not your intention, but I did feel a little bad when your response was one to merely point out that I did a "dumb" thing for having said that my question was dumb.Although it is a popular myth that there is no such

thing as a dumb question, I think there are dumb questions. I consider a question dumb, when a student comes to class, who has failed to do the required reading, and was too busy chatting and failed to pay attention in a lecture, and failed to do any independent thinking, and THEN has the AUDACITY to ask a question that has been covered in the lecture and in the text, and should have been noted in his/her own notebook. That not only is a dumb type of question, but it also takes up the time of the other students who do pay attention, do their homework assignments and are eager to learn.I am sometimes a bit shy about posting what is on my mind, but that has not stopped me from doing so. Whether I get criticized or praised, or get no feedback at all, I know that I will learn a lot more about myself for having the courage to post, than actually what my original post might have been about. Paulina