Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Death of a basket
Last night Kaddi and I attempted to leave the house. Baby Kate was asleep. The other kids were downstairs. We left specific instructions that they should be very quiet to avoid waking up the baby. Before we even had our coats on, Luke came up the stairs screaming with someone else chasing him. So, I went downstairs again to calmly repeat my earlier instructions.
The following videos are re-enactments of what followed.
The following videos are re-enactments of what followed.
Monday, February 06, 2012
No such thing as bad student. Only bad teacher
Last week I received copies of my student evaluations from last semester. At my current college, student still have to fill in bubble sheets and write in the comments box, rather than being able to type them on the computer.
The student comments here are not as loquacious, nor as mean-spirited, as ones I received at a previous institution. But when I first arrived here the gist of the comments was exactly the same, "the professor is arrogant, rude, condescending, he doesn't respect the students."
But after three semesters, I've learned my lesson. I no longer ask students to show up on time, or to refrain from talking or texting in class. I allow them to re-take tests for any reason. When they make inaccurate comments in class, I praise them for their insight. When they miss deadlines, I give them a second chance. And then a third. When they don't want to purchase the reading or check it out from the library, I scan it and make it available online for their convenience.
And by doing all these things, I've shown how much I care about the students and the learning process.
The student comments here are not as loquacious, nor as mean-spirited, as ones I received at a previous institution. But when I first arrived here the gist of the comments was exactly the same, "the professor is arrogant, rude, condescending, he doesn't respect the students."
But after three semesters, I've learned my lesson. I no longer ask students to show up on time, or to refrain from talking or texting in class. I allow them to re-take tests for any reason. When they make inaccurate comments in class, I praise them for their insight. When they miss deadlines, I give them a second chance. And then a third. When they don't want to purchase the reading or check it out from the library, I scan it and make it available online for their convenience.
And by doing all these things, I've shown how much I care about the students and the learning process.
The following comments are response to the prompt:
What were the strengths and/or weaknesses of this course?
He seems better than what I've heard about him in the past.
(The Professor) is very knowledgeable on the material, but can be intimidating.
The course is very difficult. The instructor struggles to offer help to those who need it. Attitude effects everything for both student and instructor.
Strengths - the teacher make the subjects very interesting and is easy to pay attention too.
He really talked at us didn't really seem to care if we understand or want to input our own thought in class. Because of this class I hate history a lot more. There was no interactions and too many students in class.
A lot of discussion learning and note-taking.
Strengths - notes were based on what we needed to know for the tests.
Tests are not over class material.
He is one of the best teachers I have had here because he challenges me to do good and I am always engaged in class.
I think as a lower level class, he treats it as an upper level class. Maybe to slow down a bit and explain things a bit more.
No strengths.
The best instructor/class I have this year. I have no qualms about the class.
Very hard class.
He is my favorite instructor because his lectures are helpful and intelligent.
It was the most boring History class I have ever been in.
(The Professor) is very knowledgable and structures his class in a way that makes sense to students. Compared to what I've heard from other students, he seems like the best World History teacher on campus.
The lectures got really boring after 30 mins so if you could break up the class with some activities that go along with content.
He was able to make this class very interesting and held my attention for a long period of time.
Learn history.
Strength - a lot of information, interesting stories, learn a lot in this class.
I didn't feel I learned anything relevant in this class, even thought its a gen ed.
Always learned something new.
Strengths are you learn a lot. Weakness is it's super-hard and you ask a lot of students.
Give books that students are into so then they will like the class. Also get to know your students. I felt like you didn't care about us.
My strengths were the tests and my weaknesses were the reading quizzes.
It was a great class and I learned a lot. It's challenging, but good.
The teacher should do more than just stand in front of class and talk. NO body learns well that way.
Keep on keepin on (professor.)
He seems better than what I've heard about him in the past.
(The Professor) is very knowledgeable on the material, but can be intimidating.
The course is very difficult. The instructor struggles to offer help to those who need it. Attitude effects everything for both student and instructor.
Strengths - the teacher make the subjects very interesting and is easy to pay attention too.
He really talked at us didn't really seem to care if we understand or want to input our own thought in class. Because of this class I hate history a lot more. There was no interactions and too many students in class.
A lot of discussion learning and note-taking.
Strengths - notes were based on what we needed to know for the tests.
Tests are not over class material.
He is one of the best teachers I have had here because he challenges me to do good and I am always engaged in class.
I think as a lower level class, he treats it as an upper level class. Maybe to slow down a bit and explain things a bit more.
No strengths.
The best instructor/class I have this year. I have no qualms about the class.
Very hard class.
He is my favorite instructor because his lectures are helpful and intelligent.
It was the most boring History class I have ever been in.
(The Professor) is very knowledgable and structures his class in a way that makes sense to students. Compared to what I've heard from other students, he seems like the best World History teacher on campus.
The lectures got really boring after 30 mins so if you could break up the class with some activities that go along with content.
He was able to make this class very interesting and held my attention for a long period of time.
Learn history.
Strength - a lot of information, interesting stories, learn a lot in this class.
I didn't feel I learned anything relevant in this class, even thought its a gen ed.
Always learned something new.
Strengths are you learn a lot. Weakness is it's super-hard and you ask a lot of students.
Give books that students are into so then they will like the class. Also get to know your students. I felt like you didn't care about us.
My strengths were the tests and my weaknesses were the reading quizzes.
It was a great class and I learned a lot. It's challenging, but good.
The teacher should do more than just stand in front of class and talk. NO body learns well that way.
Keep on keepin on (professor.)
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