Training session

As a trainer, answering a question that you don't know involves

# Rephrasing the question
# Redirecting the question to the audience/class
# Admitting your ignorance (optional)
# Finding a solution (optional)

But seriously; In a training environment where a class meets for more than one day, addressing 'stumper' questions is fairly easy. You typically reserve an area on a dry-erase whiteboard (called a 'parking lot' by many in the field) where you log one or more questions for follow-up.

The key, of course, is to actually follow-up on these 'stumper' questions. your integrity as a working professional depends upon it.

Michael Martine comments, redirecting a question back to the class often isn’t a very good idea in a computer training situation–especially for lower-level applications classes (technical classes are quite different). You’re supposed to be the expert. You answer the question. Being honest and saying you don’t know but you’ll find out (and then getting back to them) has always been the best course in my experience (7 years training).

The absolute most important thing about handling tough questions is to be confident and optimistic–never appear flustered or harried or like you skipped a beat. Please note that’s not the same as bullying the questioner.

Other comments: One can use the following examples-

“I don’t know. Let’s try to figure it out. We know XYZ, and that implies TUV…”

“I don’t know. Have you done any research on the question? What do you think about it? What approaches have you tried? Where have you looked for information?”

“I don’t know. Does anyone here have any ideas about it?”

“I don’t know. The whole class (and I) now have an extra homework problem to complete for next time.”

“I don’t know. I’ll look it up/work on it, and get back to you next time.”