Asking Questions in Class

One Fine, Rather Humid, Night.19C

There are two sessions of the first year students in my program. One has classes on one Tuesday plus Saturday afternoon, while the other has a full Saturday of 2 classes. This, of course, was only planned for the core courses, as the electives would have all sorts of different crazy time slots. So, somehow, the weekday + weekend session people don't really mingle with the full weekend session people. I guess it's quite natural - there is simply very little chance for us to see the other class. Even if we do, we have each formed our little circles and it was difficult to break into them. And why should we anyway, if we were just going to the other session because we couldn't make it to our own session?

Anyway, in addition to the different time schedule, it seems that some distinction has been drawn between the two sessions by our professors. My session has been repeatedly commented by various professors as a much quieter class. (One professor has nicely put it that we were the "smarter" class.) They always say that it must be because we are exhausted from work and so we don't ask any questions.

That could be true. But, I think that only constitutes 10% of the reality. I think it's just because my session has more people who have already learnt the material, and are shier to raise questions in class. There are a couple who always ask questions, but seriously, those questions are rather irrelevant. I also noticed that quite a few people like to talk to professors during the breaks. That is good use of time, I reckon. But sometimes I find it quite awkward that those people were really just trying to make conversation because they didn't have anything constructive to ask/talk to the professor. (But, well, social talk could be good. I guess at least the profs will recognise your face.) Then, time is not so well used, at least, maybe from the professor's point of view.

I admire those who ask questions or make comments in class. It is a bold act - you give in yourself to the possibility of being seen as a dim-wit when you ask an obvious question, or you confuse 99% of the class and people start labeling you as an outlier (which, could lead to an outsider). There is this "face" problem. And then, there is this problem of revealing your cards in your hands. Whichever it maybe, people (especially in HK) tend to keep quiet even when they are in doubt. Discussion forums are not popular either for similar reasons.

This then means classes are not very productive as there is no discussion. It is rather a pity, but that seems like how the classes are turning out now. People are afraid to talk - they are afraid to make mistakes. No new ideas are sparkled, no doubts are solved. Professors have to keep asking whether we have any question, as if to reassure themselves that we have been attentive and alert. Classes become boring and unnecessary. We might as well go home and finish the reading and write the exam on the assigned day. Professors may eventually become the person who falls asleep in class.

On the other hand, is it more constructive in the other session that has so many quesitons? I have been to their classes a few times, yet I could not determine. There were some good questions, but most of the time, they were asking questions that I didn't understand (or I couldn't figure out where they got the idea from to ask those questions). Maybe, I wasn't thinking as hard as they did. Maybe, I have gone to classes leaving my brain behind at home.

Maybe, I should start working harder and try harder to understand thoroughly what has be taught in class.