hm..I was wondering

If someone (cough* me) makes mistakes in answering questions, should they bother answering anything at all?

Just a thought that crosses my mind alot. =/

I think you should because you learn from your mistakes.

I guess but I don't want it to be at the expense of others. (thus my mistakes become theirs as well)

I think all of us make mistakes from time to time, Christina. One of the advantages of posting answers on this board is that most answers are read by teachers and wrong answers are corrected or even deleted.

Some of us (I don't) have tools to delete posts that are inappropriate or ridden with mistakes. Those of us who, for whatever reasons (typos, read problem wrong, hit the wrong button on the calculator, etc) and don't have tools to delete, usually follow up with a post, as soon as we know we goofed, and post a correction. If we don't get to it before another tutor posts the correct answer, then we post under the correct answer with a note that our answer is incorrect and the student should ignore the response from us and use the information provided by xxx.

okay. but the thing is that I feel that for me it's a little more than just "from time to time" or more than once in a blue moon =D

Thanks for your opinions.

The "neat" thing about mistakes is that once you have made one, you learn not to do that one again. If you don't risk making a mistake, you will miss out on that learning experience. I have learned more important things from daring to do something that I didn't know "beans" about, trying my best, making the mistakes. Besides, if you never made a mistake, like would be downright boring. The whole trick is to always work hard not to make the mistake and then never make the same one twice. <G>

That's a common concern, but it's important to remember that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. Nobody is expected to have all the answers all the time. In fact, answering questions, even if you make mistakes, can be a valuable way to learn and grow.

Here are a few points to consider:

1. Learning through mistakes: By answering questions and potentially making errors, you give yourself an opportunity to learn from them. You can analyze the correct answer, understand why it's correct, and expand your knowledge.

2. Sharing knowledge: Even if you make mistakes, you might still provide helpful information or insights that others can benefit from. Don't underestimate the value of your input.

3. Openness and humility: Being open about your limitations and willing to learn from your mistakes can actually build trust and credibility with others. It shows that you are humble, honest, and open to feedback.

4. Collaboration: By participating in discussions and offering your perspective, you contribute to the collective knowledge and promote a collaborative learning environment.

5. Continuous improvement: Every mistake is an opportunity for improvement. By analyzing and reflecting on your errors, you can identify areas where you need to deepen your understanding and work towards improving your accuracy over time.

Remember, answering questions is not about being flawless or knowing everything. It's about engaging with the community, learning, and helping others along the way. So, don't hesitate to answer questions, even if there's a chance of making mistakes.