Suggestion 85. Ask students if they understand what you are saying

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Know if the class is understanding you or not

• Know if the students are bored or confused

• Clear up any confusion students may be having

• Identify what is most important or most difficult for students

Asking students directly whether they understand what you are saying.

Many excellent teachers punctuate their lectures with such questions as "Is this explanation sufficient?" or, "Do you agree?" or, "Was that clear?"

However, as one art history teacher reports, "Sometimes the students look confused, but won't ask questions. This tends to happen especially toward the beginning of the course. When it does happen, I say something like, `Perhaps you don't have any questions just yet, but I have a feeling I passed over X-topic very quickly. Let me say a few more words about that, because students often find it difficult to understand the first time around.' In this way I let the students know that it's OK to be confused. It's OK to ask questions in my class. By the second or third week, they usually feel comfortable enough to say that something is still not clear to them."

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

  Discipline:  None
Course Level:  None
 Course Size:  None
        Mode:  Primarily lecture

Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

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