The classroom motto used to be that there was no such thing as a stupid question, but some professors are adopting a new philosophy. A growing trend among professors in the College of Arts and Sciences is to discourage hand-raising in class.
"I'm simply getting too many nonsense questions," said Peter Daniels, a psychology professor. "I've had enough."
Daniels said that when lecturing, his stream of consciousness is often interrupted by a student seeking the answer to an off-hand question.
"The student will usually start with a phrase like, 'This isn't quite related to what you're saying, but...'" Daniels said. "I used to try to answer every question a student asked, but there is only so much time in a class period. Let's stick to the topic, people."
Daniels and several of his colleagues including professors in the political science, history and women's studies departments have urged students to stop asking questions in class altogether.
"There is no rule in this university that says we have to allow for questions in class," said Claire Herzberg, a history professor. "I really want to save class time for information that will benefit everyone. Asking me whether or not I think George Washington cut down the cherry tree isn't going to help you prepare for the exam."
Professors enforcing the question-ban are also hoping to eliminate those pesky "what if" questions that they say students love to ask.
"'What if researchers had tried X instead of Y? What if they tested this group instead of that?' students will ask me," said Marieme Darrow, a women's studies professor. "In my mind I'm thinking, 'what if you stop asking these ridiculous questions so we can get back to learning about what did happen?'"
Other professors have voiced concern that prohibiting questions will stifle a student's desire to learn.
"Sure, I hate answering pointless questions as much as the next professor, but it's our obligation as teachers to support the think-outside-the-box type of students," said Harvey Campbell, political science professor. "Though sometimes I do wish they'd keep their thoughts inside that darn box," she added, with a hint of resentment.
Some students are having a hard time fighting the urge to raise their hand, and are doing so in spite of the teacher's no-question rule.
"The other day I had my hand in the air for the majority of class, and I was completely ignored by my professor," said Heather Avila, a senior history major. "I lost all the feeling in my arm. I couldn't feel it for the rest of the day."
Yet many students seem to be fine with the new policy, even grateful to professors for creating it.
"If you're upset about this rule, that's probably because you are that annoying person in the front row who asks all the stupid questions," said Katie Price, a junior psychology major.
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Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
