Forum Discussion

Common Types of Questions in the Forum

• simple factual question

→ easy to answer

• simple calculation question

→ easy to answer but may take a little longer than simple factual questions

• request for confirmation of understanding

→ If they are correct, you can either just say "That's correct," or you can also elaborate briefly if you think it would help their understanding.

→ If they are not correct, then say so and try to explain to them why they are incorrect and then offer the correct explanation

• a question asking the "why" behind some fact, concept, or formula

→ This is an intelligent question but may be beyond the scope of the syllabus.

→ Often, I will try to provide a (brief) explanation but I may also tell them it's beyond what's required on the syllabus and state the fact or skill they will need for the exam (in other words, let them know that what they're asking is will not help them on the exam but then also emphasize what they do have to know)

• a question on a complicated calculation question

→ I sometimes spend hours on this type of question because my answer often becomes part of the BattleActs content.

→ I write my answer as if it were part of the wiki, then I link to my answer from the forum. (You would have to let me know if something like this comes up. We should discuss it briefly before you answer.)

→ In rare cases, I may even add practice problems based on the question to provide further practice.

• someone points out an error in the BattleActs content

→ You would have to let me know so I can make the correction.

• someone points out an error in the examiner's report

→ You should first check the footnotes the BattleTables because this is where I keep track of errors in the examiner's reports.

→ If this error has already been noted, your answer can just refer them to the appropriate footnote and provide a link to the appropriate BattleTable in the wiki.

→ If this error has not already been noted, please tell me and I will add a footnote to the BattleTable. Then either you or I may have to provide an explanation or correction in the forum answer, and then link to it from the BattleTable footnote.

Helpful Hints on Answering Forum Questions

• Sometimes the person asking the question doesn't understand the material well enough to ask the question properly.

→ In this case, you have to read between the lines and try to understand where they're coming from.

→ Often, I'll take a step back and provide a little background information in my answer before addressing their actual question.

→ If you really can't figure out what they're trying to ask, you can respond with something like: "I think you're asking "blah, blah, blah..." but please let me know before I go ahead and answer.

• Sometimes the person just wants some TLC.

→ They may lack confidence and it makes them feel better to interact with someone about the material in question.

→ Be gentle and empathize with them. Try to answer in a way that boosts their confidence and makes them feel a little better about whatever it is that's stressing them out.

• Sometimes people make abuse the forum. (Asking too many questions on a daily basis.)

→ We had someone who would post 6-8 questions per day (sometimes more.) At first, I answered all of them. Then I slowed down answered 2 per day. But every time I answered one question, he would come back with follow-up questions that were straying too far from the syllabus. If this happens, let me know. We had to private message him several times but we finally got it under control.

→ Most people use the forum appropriately but sometimes people have to be steered back on track. The forum has to stay focused on items that are directly relevant to passing the exam. If they want to delve more deeply into a particular topic, I suggest they wait until after the exam. In any case, we won't be involved in that.