Ask a Trainer: My Participants Are Asking Off-Topic Questions

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Dear Tim,

Dear Tim,

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I am a facilitator teaching courses within a limited timeframe. I rarely have the time to explore content outside the prescribed curriculum. However, I’m often challenged with participants who ask a lot of off-topic questions.

I am a facilitator teaching courses within a limited timeframe. I rarely have the time to explore content outside the prescribed curriculum. However, I’m often challenged with participants who ask a lot of off-topic questions.

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While this seems simple, I’m curious if you can share your best advice on how to handle this situation.

While this seems simple, I’m curious if you can share your best advice on how to handle this situation.

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Ah, yes! Overly zealous participants asking a boatload of questions. I’ve been there myself many, many times.

Ah, yes! Overly zealous participants asking a boatload of questions. I’ve been there myself many, many times.

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The truth is, it can be a bit of a balancing act to stick to your content (and time) while entertaining the questions your participants ask. I say this because I think it’s important that we encourage our learners (whether they be children or adults) to ask questions during any training experience.

The truth is, it can be a bit of a balancing act to stick to your content (and time) while entertaining the questions your participants ask. I say this because I think it’s important that we encourage our learners (whether they be children or adults) to ask questions during any training experience.

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As I think about the best way to manage these types of situations, a couple of important considerations come to mind. It’s important that you, as the facilitator, understand why your learners are asking so many off-topic questions in the first place.

As I think about the best way to manage these types of situations, a couple of important considerations come to mind. It’s important that you, as the facilitator, understand why your learners are asking so many off-topic questions in the first place.

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First, are they asking off-topic questions because they’re easily distracted?

First, are they asking off-topic questions because they’re easily distracted?

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If this is the case, it’s an easy problem to solve. Let your learners know they are asking great questions, but that you don’t have time to tackle them. Instead, start a parking lot and be willing to answer the questions at the end of the workshop or during a break. When they start going off-topic, simply state “Let’s put that in the parking lot.” Done!

If this is the case, it’s an easy problem to solve. Let your learners know they are asking great questions, but that you don’t have time to tackle them. Instead, start a parking lot and be willing to answer the questions at the end of the workshop or during a break. When they start going off-topic, simply state “Let’s put that in the parking lot.” Done!

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Second, are they asking off-topic questions because they think they’re relevant?

Second, are they asking off-topic questions because they think they’re relevant?

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If this is the case, it’s important that you understand why, especially if you have more than one learner asking questions you perceive as off-topic. Take a moment to ask some clarifying questions to understand the source of their inquiries. You may discover that you said something earlier in the workshop that confused everyone in the room.

If this is the case, it’s important that you understand why, especially if you have more than one learner asking questions you perceive as off-topic. Take a moment to ask some clarifying questions to understand the source of their inquiries. You may discover that you said something earlier in the workshop that confused everyone in the room.

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Third, are they asking off-topic questions because they actually are relevant . . . at least to them?

Third, are they asking off-topic questions because they actually are relevant . . . at least to them?

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Without knowing the nature of your work and what you’re facilitating, it’s possible to know if you’ve misunderstood something that’s causing you to believe these are off-topic questions. For example, if you’re an outside facilitator, perhaps there’s some variable about the specific organization or team that makes these questions relevant to their situation that you failed to consider.

Without knowing the nature of your work and what you’re facilitating, it’s possible to know if you’ve misunderstood something that’s causing you to believe these are off-topic questions. For example, if you’re an outside facilitator, perhaps there’s some variable about the specific organization or team that makes these questions relevant to their situation that you failed to consider.

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I hope these tips help! The next time you’re faced with off-topic questions, take a moment to examine their root cause. It’ll guide you to the appropriate method for handling it.

I hope these tips help! The next time you’re faced with off-topic questions, take a moment to examine their root cause. It’ll guide you to the appropriate method for handling it.

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Best of luck!

Best of luck!

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Tim

Tim

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Do you have a learning question you’d like me to tackle? You can email them to [email protected] ! Also, visit the Ask a Trainer Hub to check out your questions and my answers!

Do you have a learning question you’d like me to tackle? You can email them to [email protected]! Also, visit the Ask a Trainer Hub to check out your questions and my answers!

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We welcome your comments and engagement on these posts. All posts are reviewed to ensure appropriateness based on ATD’s requirements for postings in our online communities.

We welcome your comments and engagement on these posts. All posts are reviewed to ensure appropriateness based on ATD’s requirements for postings in our online communities.

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Please note: Content shared in this column is provided by the author and may not reflect the perspectives of ATD.

Please note: Content shared in this column is provided by the author and may not reflect the perspectives of ATD.