Is it inappropriate to correct a teacher?

Question

Obviously we all make mistakes, but what if a teacher makes a mistake? Do you correct them like you would anybody or do you keep quiet?

In my junior year of high school, we were reading a short story called Teenage Wasteland. My teacher was saying that the Who use to be the Guess Who and that as the years went on they just shortened their name to the Who. That was wrong...the Who and the Guess Who are two totally different bands. I didn't correct her though because I felt it would be disrespectful.

Answer 1

no, I dont think so, any teacher worth their salt, would welcome other views, especially, when it comes to literature- so, you do not need to correct them, but you do need to put your point of view across.

Answer 2

It is ok to correct a teacher. I do it to this one teacher all the time just for the simple fact that she is DEAD wrong. It is in government class and she is just wrong about many thing. I think that it is great to correct one. If they are wrong in the classroom then someone half asleep will hear it and believe them. But it has to be something that you know is right and you need to have info to back it up.

Answer 3

Teachers are human. Yes, we make mistakes. And if you find a correction to be made, we appreciate it - just make sure you can back it up! We are research oriented and if you can't back up your statement then you have nothing to stand on.

So, yes, "correct" your teacher -

Answer 4

I wouldnt' say anything cause you know how teachers are, she will probably go off on you

Answer 5

No i think that as long as your being appropriate and respectful then its ok to correct a teacher. if your mature about it then they wont care. as long as your not like "no stupid thats not the answer" than its no big deal.

Answer 6

IF they are wrong then you can politely do it.

Answer 7

You can correct a teacher. But do it in private and make sure you can back yourself up.

Answer 8

well i think that as long as you handle it w/ tact and respect that it's ok to correct a teacher.   you could even say, "no disrespect intended, but ....."

Answer 9

You can correct anyone! Their job is to teach correctly, and if you correct them, you are doing the right thing.

Answer 10

No-its not inappropriate....She probably would like to know.

I would pose it as a question; "Aren't the Who from Great Britain?", and I  thought the Guess Who were from Canada."?

Answer 11

I would definately agree that as long as you keep your correction respectful, you should feel free to correct a teacher. For your situation, I may have double checked the information before mentioning it, but it's never too late to bring it to the teachers attention (before or after class).

Sometimes teachers get so caught up in other stuff that they don't realize when they make mistakes and we are often grateful to the students who point it out so that we can clarify for all students. I've had students be rude about making corrections and that will change the teachers attitude toward a student, so keep it tactful!

Answer 12

My students have corrected me (politely) and I don't have a problem with it.  Teachers are human, after all, and we make mistakes.

Answer 13

I am a teacher and I would love it if a student correted me respectfully.  I think if it is done after class sometime it would be fine.

Answer 14

you should correct her

but don't come across like your undermining her

just be like

"uhh i read somewhere those are two diffrent bands"

and if she disagrees don't fight it just be like watever

Answer 15

As a teacher, I would want to be corrected (if I'm really wrong--I *despise* it when students try to correct me when I'm really right).  Just be polite.

Answer 16

You should have corrected her! I would have.

As long as you`re polite about it, it shouldn`t matter.

Answer 17

You need to hold people like that accountable for their actions.  Do you think your teacher would give a hoot about respecting you if you wrote down a wrong answer on a test? Think about it.

As a rule, you correct people in private to avoid emabarrasing them.  

But this is a little different.  Your fellow classmates are being misled to believe that the Who use to be the Guess Who and if you tell the teacher in private your classmates will never learn the truth.

I would feel it my moral duty to correct that woman.  I'd politely look at her like she is a child abuser and nod my head vigourously to say "no" and make sure everyone in the class see's it.  If she ignores it,say "mm! mm!" and eventually she will have to say, "is there a problem?" or something like that (she will try to embarrass you but remember the greater good is to be right and also regardless of how anyone acts, they WILL respect you more.) Another tactic is to simply say in monotone and with no emotion, "Very interesting.  I believe that in actuality the Who and the Guess Who are two totally different bands.  However, I will check my sources as class is dismissed."

In sum: correcting people is usually very appropriate and respectful.  But you have to do it with confidence and also a genuine respect for the other person that will show.  Some people will like you more for it, some will dislike you for it but most people will respect you more.  And what matters most is respecting yourself so do what you think is right.