As a teacher for many years, I've certainly heard my share of questions that make me pause and think to myself, "Did a human being of sound mind and body just ask me that?" But we teachers often live by the cliche that "There are no dumb questions." We want our students to be inquisitive and eager to learn, so we encourage offering up any query that pops into their minds. But there is one question that I do consider dumb, and all students should avoid asking it.
The only question I have a hard time accepting from a student is one that addresses an idea about which I JUST explained. For example, a teacher might say to a class, "This essay is due on Tuesday." If five minutes later, you raise your hand and earnestly ask, "When is this essay due?" you have just asked a dumb question. If a teacher says, "See page 120 for an example of following this grammar rule," and the next day you ask, "How does this grammar rule work?" you have just asked a dumb question. If all semester, a teacher has provided a syllabus with a class schedule, due dates, assignment descriptions, models to follow, and other vital information for the course, and you ask about any of those things, you are asking a dumb question.
Essentially, what you are doing is disregarding your own responsibility of listening or reading or investigating, and instead, simply seeking a shortcut by asking the teacher. This wastes time that the teacher can be spending addressing more important questions for you or other students. When a student does this in my class, I instantly say to everyone, "Class, when is this essay due?" The class then answers collectively in an exasperated tone, "Tuesday!" And you have your answer. You are basically telling the whole class, "Look at me. I'm the one who wasn't listening. And you are right in questioning whether I should actually be in college."
Don't be that student. Listen closely. Your teacher will always tell you what you need to know. There are rarely mysteries--everything will be spelled out for you. But it's up to you to actually follow what's being told. If you think you missed something, ask a classmate, check the syllabus, or look online. If you have done all of that, and you still think you are missing something, then you may ask the teacher. But don't be surprised if he is annoyed. You made him that way.
The best way to avoid asking dumb questions is to be an excellent listener.
The only question I have a hard time accepting from a student is one that addresses an idea about which I JUST explained. For example, a teacher might say to a class, "This essay is due on Tuesday." If five minutes later, you raise your hand and earnestly ask, "When is this essay due?" you have just asked a dumb question. If a teacher says, "See page 120 for an example of following this grammar rule," and the next day you ask, "How does this grammar rule work?" you have just asked a dumb question. If all semester, a teacher has provided a syllabus with a class schedule, due dates, assignment descriptions, models to follow, and other vital information for the course, and you ask about any of those things, you are asking a dumb question.
Essentially, what you are doing is disregarding your own responsibility of listening or reading or investigating, and instead, simply seeking a shortcut by asking the teacher. This wastes time that the teacher can be spending addressing more important questions for you or other students. When a student does this in my class, I instantly say to everyone, "Class, when is this essay due?" The class then answers collectively in an exasperated tone, "Tuesday!" And you have your answer. You are basically telling the whole class, "Look at me. I'm the one who wasn't listening. And you are right in questioning whether I should actually be in college."
Don't be that student. Listen closely. Your teacher will always tell you what you need to know. There are rarely mysteries--everything will be spelled out for you. But it's up to you to actually follow what's being told. If you think you missed something, ask a classmate, check the syllabus, or look online. If you have done all of that, and you still think you are missing something, then you may ask the teacher. But don't be surprised if he is annoyed. You made him that way.
The best way to avoid asking dumb questions is to be an excellent listener.