Reply With QuoteYep definitely. Done the right way it can increase your cred with the academic.
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Registered User
Would you correct your lecturer?
I'm doing a subject at uni and the information that the lecturer is giving on a certain aspect is incorrect. This certain aspect is something that I know quite a bit about as I've been researching it for decades.
Would you let your lecturer know they have incorrect information?
I'd not do it in an open forum situation but via other means (probably email as I can cite sources correctly in that).
Registered User
Yep definitely. Done the right way it can increase your cred with the academic.
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Registered User
NO! No! NO! Don't do it!! They will not appreciate it and you might be labeled a 'know-it-all' and they may mark your assignments / exams with the slight resentment in mind....
(I questioned a lecturer once and I learnt my lesson the hard way....)
Registered User
I agree with FabFiona yes I would.
But as you said back it up with reliable sources.
The other student need to be taught the correct information.
Registered User
If I did it I'd not do it until after end of semester
I only have to put up with the inaccuracies for the next week & we're off the subject. I also don't have to include any of this type of info in the assessment and there is no exam.
Registered User
How bad is the error? Is he saying utter rubbish or just a bit rubbish? A minor error I may let slide, but a really major one I would probably ask to talk to him and ask for his sources, as you read one that disagreed so would like to read more on the subject: you are studying this so it is clear you are already interested in the subject and extra reading can't be a bad thing. If you put it as YOUR mistake then it may come out better. Good luck!
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It is actually terminology, he is using the wrong name for something. Yes the word he is using is correct, just not in the context he is using it in. He's talking about the southern part of a continent & naming things, but the word he has used is for the same thing but from the central part of the continent.
ie calling a indigenous medical practitioner from the southern part of the continent the term that is used for the central part of the continent, completely different set of races/tribes from southern to central.
Registered User
Is it really that important to correct him?
If so I would definatly wait til end of semester otherwise I wouldn't worry about it
Registered User
I have corrected my lecturers many times in the past, most of them appreciate someone pointing out the mistake so they can fix it, or debate the issue with you. They also tend to like to use oppertunities like these as learning points for the entire class in my experience.
Registered User
you could ask for his opinion on the information you found, then show him and ask to discuss it with him. That way you are not coming to him and saying 'you are wrong' but 'I found this which is different, what do you think?'
That way he may appreciate the extra information...
Registered User
For that particular error, I probably wouldn't but if it's really irking you I'd frame it in terms of a genuine question rather than a correction.
BellyBelly Life Subscriber
My Dh did this years ago on a date and when asked why he was so certain that the date was incorrect he told the lecturer it was his wedding day. Lecturer had to agree he knew what he was talking about. It was done in a nice way and he never had problems with the lecturer.
As he is in a place of teaching he should be informed that his wording is incorrect and I would do this before the subject is finished so he can inform the class.
No person is always correct. being corrected is how we learn, it's how we correct that is the main issue.
Registered User
Yep, I'd approach him that ^ way. Let him look into it and come back to you, then it doesnt feel like he's being told he is wrong.
Registered User
Actually yes, it is, he is using incorrect terminology for part of my culture, mixing two different tribes and languages together.
BellyBelly Life Subscriber
Then that's a great way to approach him. You can go up to him after a lecture and tell him you're interested in some of the terminology he's using. Then explain the terminology used in your culture. Offer to send him research if he'd like (in a non-patronising way). If he's getting something culturally wrong he should take the opportunity to learn. Especially if something is culturally inappropriate or offensive.
I suppose part of the issue is what kind of person us he? Is he open to new knowledge?
Registered User
Absolutely - but apporach it as a question, as PPs have said, not: "you're wrong", but "I heard this... and thought..., what do you think?"
I actually think that it is VITAL that you tell him. He is teaching others who don't know. If you don't tell him, he will unkowingly spread incorrect info. That is not fair to him or to any other students.
GL.
I have corrected a lecturer once. I found a mistake in the course handbook, so made an appointment to see him about it and said "can you explain this bit, it doesn't make sense...", which made him realise that it was an error. He really appreciated it, as this way he told other students in the course about the mistake before anyone else had had a chance to be misinformed.
Registered User
Absolutely. I have spoken to a lecturer about the content of his lectures before that I felt were lacking. He took it really well and actually thanked me for broaching it with him.
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