How do I politely correct my professor?

[topaz~]

I think Craz3d has a crush on this professor.

[Sidoh]

I'm sure it's different in CS/Math, but when I suspect there's been a mistake, I usually approach the situation as if I suspect I'm wrong.  I ask the professor "so if this and this are true, wouldn't that mean that this is true?  Where am I going wrong?"

That's exactly what I do.  I've never had a problem with a teacher getting upset if I correct them.  They are usually very thankful that someone noticed a mistake.  Don't forget that your professors are human and they make mistakes just like everyone else.

C'mon guys, grow some balls. Don't be that shy about it. Just say straight up: "is that supposed to be [blah]?" You have to be polite but it's more important to be thrifty with time and not go through this lengthy exculpating process. The only time you should cite your reasoning is to benefit yourself, that way if you're wrong in correcting him, you'll be able to see where you went wrong.

If it's in the middle of class, those are exactly the words I use ("is that supposed to be <x>?").

You're an annoying prick sometimes, ender :P

[AntiVirus]

I'm sure it's different in CS/Math, but when I suspect there's been a mistake, I usually approach the situation as if I suspect I'm wrong.  I ask the professor "so if this and this are true, wouldn't that mean that this is true?  Where am I going wrong?"

That's exactly what I do.  I've never had a problem with a teacher getting upset if I correct them.  They are usually very thankful that someone noticed a mistake.  Don't forget that your professors are human and they make mistakes just like everyone else.

C'mon guys, grow some balls. Don't be that shy about it. Just say straight up: "is that supposed to be [blah]?" You have to be polite but it's more important to be thrifty with time and not go through this lengthy exculpating process. The only time you should cite your reasoning is to benefit yourself, that way if you're wrong in correcting him, you'll be able to see where you went wrong.

Maybe if I am taking a test and I think there needs to be a correction somewhere, but not when I am having a private conversation with a professor.  The times I have seen/heard other students say that they always come off as cocky and the professor just gets annoyed with them.

[iago]

Maybe if I am taking a test and I think there needs to be a correction somewhere, but not when I am having a private conversation with a professor.  The times I have seen/heard other students say that they always come off as cocky and the professor just gets annoyed with them.

Heh, my best friend got yelled at by one of our nicest teachers for saying he was wrong. It was hilarious. :)

[AntiVirus]

Maybe if I am taking a test and I think there needs to be a correction somewhere, but not when I am having a private conversation with a professor.  The times I have seen/heard other students say that they always come off as cocky and the professor just gets annoyed with them.

Heh, my best friend got yelled at by one of our nicest teachers for saying he was wrong. It was hilarious. :)

Lol, that's hilarious.

[Falcon]

My digital systems professor encourages the students to point out mistakes on his powerpoints, for every mistake we find, he'll add 1 extra point to their next exam grade :)

[Sidoh]

My digital systems professor encourages the students to point out mistakes on his powerpoints, for every mistake we find, he'll add 1 extra point to their next exam grade :)

Haha, that's pretty cool.

Most of my professors like getting things like that corrected, because it helps them out in the future.  I don't think I've had one that's given extra credit for it, though. :(

[Ender]

I dont need the points.

She is a young teacher (completed her PhD over the summer at University of Denver, walks this Saturday), and I want her to become a more effective teacher.

No wonder you're being so selfless! You want to get laid!

[Ender]

I think Craz3d has a crush on this professor.

Haha, I made my post without reading yours. I guess it's true, great minds (trolls) think alike.

[iago]

On a sidenote, I revise what I originally said -- don't even bother trying to correct her. The way you argue, you're more likely to convince her that she's actually right.

[CrAz3D]

On a sidenote, I revise what I originally said -- don't even bother trying to correct her. The way you argue, you're more likely to convince her that she's actually right.

OOoooh,  way to attack me personally out of no where.

I'm glad you're such an upstanding person with great moral character.

[iago]

OOoooh,  way to attack me personally out of no where.

Haha, out of nowhere? You seriously need to read your post history.

Face it, you suck at arguing.

[Sidoh]

lol

[Newby]

On a sidenote, I revise what I originally said -- don't even bother trying to correct her. The way you argue, you're more likely to convince her that she's actually right.

OOoooh,  way to attack me personally out of no where.

I'm glad you're such an upstanding person with great moral character.

Hahaha. It was a joke. Uncalled for and unnecessary, but I still lol'd. I don't get upset when people call me the anti-poon virgin that can't get laid.

[Warrior]

On a sidenote, I revise what I originally said -- don't even bother trying to correct her. The way you argue, you're more likely to convince her that she's actually right.

OOoooh,  way to attack me personally out of no where.

I'm glad you're such an upstanding person with great moral character.

Hahaha. It was a joke. Uncalled for and unnecessary, but I still lol'd. I don't get upset when people call me the anti-poon virgin that can't get laid.

Yes, but that wouldn't be a joke.