Question handling

Basic Rules Rule 1: Every question need not be answered Rule 2: Even if a question is to be answered, it need not be answered by the Resource Person Rule 3: But every question MUST be responded

How do we handle? Listen fully- do not start answering before the question is completed. Repeat the question – this helps in  Ensuring whether the question has been heard correctly  All the participants understand the question Check if the question needs to be answered at all

Need not be answered Questions Unrelated to the topic under discussion Hypothetical questions raised on practical issues Questions of the nature of cross-fire Questions which pertain to the topics handled by other resource persons; answer to which may or may not contradict the input by the other resource person

How to dispose them? Tell them openly and politely; the question is outside the scope of the discussion. If it suits you, may offer to deal with it outside the session. Regarding hypothetical questions, indicate its futility subtly and ask the class whether anybody else is interested in the answer Cross-fire questions - Same as above If the question pertains to input by some other faculty, tell them of your professional constraint not to encroach

If it is to be answered… Check whether it is the right time to answer. If the question should rightly pertain to an area yet to be covered, you may tell the participant to raise the question at the appropriate session You are at liberty to tell the participant to raise the question with the relevant faculty.

If to be answered then and there After repeating the question, thank the participant for the question Use it as an opportunity to cross check the quantum of learning that has taken place Put the question to the class If need be, give clues for the answer If answered by the class, try to build further Else give the answer and consolidate further

Take care If you are not sure of the answer, tell them that you would check and come back Never give them a misleading answer In respect of questions which do not have any “the correct answer” clarify “this is how I would have handled the situation” or “my experience is ….”, etc. Add the question to your Question bank if you have any. If you do not have any question bank, develop one soon.

Any Questions Please?