how do you correct a professor?

Question

i don't want to be disrespectful. do you do it during the lecture or after class? should i even say something?

*sighs* yes i am a freshman and i am not "correcting" the professor because i think i'm better or anything like that.

it is an anatomy and physiology class, so it is pretty much right or wrong. there's just a little discrepancy of something facing one way when it says different in the textbook. i just thought it might come up on the exam.

thanks for the response everyone.

Answer 1

Do it very carefully so he doesn't think of you as a troublemaker that he is going to fix while grading a quiz.

What you can say (and when you say it) depends on what the subject is. If the topics being discussed are matters of opinion you can be somewhat more open in what you say (unless he is really pigheaded). If they are science courses you had better have some real info to back up what you are saying because there aren't a variety of correct answers to choose from.

Answer 2

I have corrected a professor and they were nice about it. I did however, have a debate with a professor who turned on me and she was mean to me.I was in a child care education class the teacher said it is "All right if children play out in the rain while at school for an hour" and they also said "If the "temperature is 20 degrees they can play outside for 30 minutes" I challenged her and said she was wrong. She said that is what she did at the school she worked; I rebutted and said "the word here is worked." I know the children will not melt in the rain but for an hour? They could run around for a few minutes but an hour is too long. As for saying children can play outside for 30 minutes when it is 20 degrees, I think that is against the law. As a result I had to file a complaint with the head of the department; in the end we made peace. I ended up earning an "A" as the course was really easy.

Answer 3

Are you serious? You must be a starry eyed freshman! Be careful righting the world my friend, least you wrong yourself! "Correcting" your professor will not serve you well. Don't you realize that to some extent this person literally holds your future in his/her hands? Why would you want to antagonize a person with that type of power? You should seriously consider taking a logic class. That attitude will not get you far in your educational pursuits. If you feel your educator is in error you should ask for further verification. You can even state your issue in question form by using statements like, "but I had heard...", or "I thought I had previously read..." "Correcting" your professor, or anyone for that matter, usually dose nothing but stroke your own ego. If you know your correct then take comfort in the ownership of that knowledge. Why attempt to discredit another? I strongly advise you not to attempt to "correct” your professor in front of your class mates. Remember my friend--- grading papers is VERY subjective. If your professor is grading your paper and begins to think back on how you attempted to discredit him/her in front of the class.....now what do you think that is going to do to YOUR grade and ultimately YOUR future? If you feel compelled to correct your professor do it in a non-confrontational and unobtrusive manner. Find a legitimate source that highlights your point of view, or the "correct" point, and place a copy in his/her in-box or under their office door. Make sure to circle or highlight the valid argument. If your professor has integrity they will come back and share that view with the class--- even if they don't agree with it. You need to recall what being a Professor actually means. It means that that person is at the top of their field and has devoted their life to the pursuit of that study. Really they and only others with similar credentials can reasonably argue the topics in that field. If you truly want to correct your professor......get your own PhD. and write your own books disputing their stance. College life is difficult enough....don't rock your own boat....you just might sink it!

Answer 4

Just explain to him/her why you think they are wrong. But, give that person a chance for a rebuttal after. Doesn't mean that you are correct just because you think you are. The professor will explain, if you happen to be wrong. Maybe it was done as a test to see who, and how many would come forward. I would do this after class.

Answer 5

After class and carefully. Approach him and tell him that you disagree with his position on the topic. Tell him what you think and why and ask him what he thinks of your analysis. If it's math, just be bold an tell him that his answer is wrong. But AFTER class.

There are few dictators in the world with as much power as a tenured professor in his own classroom.

Answer 6

Go ahead Miss Tell him bc ppl learn from there mistakes and i f you dont correct him he will probably keep on telling you that and when you have A TEST or a quiz everyone will get it wrong so

1. you raise your hand and either tell him or say Teacher can i talk to you

2. Tell him about the answer

3. Go over it ..

SEE ITS SIMPLE GOOD LUCK

Answer 7

I have been corrected but the student was very well prepared and proved it. Don't just think you are right. And don't try to correct and opinion.

Answer 8

Nope.
Many professors will be quite resentful- I'd kep my mouth shut, and be glad I know better.

Answer 9

Depends on the professor, but be polite and have data to back up what you say other than,,--No way you are SOOOOOOO wrong!

Answer 10

If he or she is constantly wrong you can correct them by suggesting that you understood it another way (i.e. in a non-confrontational way). But if it was a one time deal, you might just want to let it slide.