College Instructors Who Make Up For The Bad Behavior Of The Underparented
It isn't fair to those who are there paying attention and doing the work, and it only enables their behavior.
Scott Hippensteel criticizes an article published by The Chronicle of Higher Education by a teacher enabling (and thus encouraging) this behavior:
The column, written by Anthony Aycock, an adjunct instructor of English at Campbell University and a full-time legal librarian, questioned why faculty members don't allow late work and makeups on tests, refuse to answer repeat questions, and get annoyed by students texting in class. "Rigid rules, no second chances--those are less prevalent in the real world than we imply in our classroom codes," he wrote, "whose actual impact, I fear, is to make us hard to get along with."I was midway through the article when I made the disturbing discovery that I was not reading a parody but instead a message put forth by a professor who teaches in an academic world far different than my own.
I am hard to get along with, especially when student behavior in my classes affects the potential for learning by other students. Issues of classroom decorum are frustrating when they represent a lack of respect: No, I won't allow you to openly read The Hunger Games during my lecture. Behavioral issues become more problematic when they influence the learning of others or create an unfair advantage for the perpetrator of the egregious behavior. You missed an exam? And you want to take a make-up after I've reviewed the exam during the following class?
Aycock argues that we should be patient with students who ask questions that have already been answered. I was faced with that situation recently: A question was posed, and I answered. That was followed by a second and third asking of the identical question. The latter two inquiries were made by students who were distracted by their smartphones when I was responding the first time. That situation is far too common and represents a small but significant waste of class time, and, in that moment, I'm afraid I wasn't entirely easy to get along with.
Best of luck holding the attention of 180 nonmajors when you spend half the class repeating yourself. Yes, the final is cumulative.
The work world operates in real-world terms, and if you want to get and keep a job, start living by Hippensteel's standards, not Aycock's.
It has amazed me that in my college, albeit a community college, instructors tolerate full cussings from students. It's beyond me.
If I were teaching a class of supposed adults, a student telling me to go fuck myself would be heartily treated to a zero grade and expulsion from the class.
ValiantBlue at October 26, 2013 9:08 AM
There is a reason that I never have never wanted to be a manager of people. Too many people have the Aycock view of life.
When my lady was alive, I only told my supervisor the minimum needed to explain why I needed off, why I'm going to be late or leave early. I still do that.
I don't want or expect my supervisor to counsel me or worry over my personal problems. I'm there to do a job. If I'm falling down on the job then tell me. I rarely expect to have my supervisor repeat the assignment. The questions are usually either details or which way do you want to the results.
I have a few co-worker friends. But I'm not going to talk about my personal life with everyone, and if I share with them and they spread it onward, they quickly drop of the friends list.
Jim P. at October 26, 2013 9:26 AM
I am so sick and tired of entitlement-minded assholes and the parents who raised them. There's a whole bunch of idiots out there that need to learn the Earth revolves around the sun, not them.
Daghain at October 26, 2013 10:35 AM
My Microbiology instructor 2 semesters ago said she didn't care if we wanted to read or look at our phones in class-no need to try to sneak, it was our money so long as we weren't being disruptive to others. But not to expect her to answer any question of yours if you did. And she meant it.
Far too much time in education is completely wasted by catering to the idiots and slackers already. At several colleges here in TX, professors are required to read the syllabus aloud to the class the first day. Um, if you can't read, you aren't going to be passing that class. Don't waste people's time.
momof4 at October 26, 2013 1:17 PM
To really get a feel for professors, education and the snowflake problem you should check out the site collegemisery.com
I am a lurker there, and it helped me identify certain behaviors to avoid so that I wouldn't be "that student" .
rsj at October 26, 2013 6:51 PM
This can be explained with a simple observation:
Many colleges offer classes to make money, not to provide a solid education.
I can see that in the efforts of degreed professionals who have apparently only did time in class, without really learning how to apply its content.
Radwaste at October 27, 2013 1:17 AM
So, I generally feel that there should be no make-ups etc. However, there should be some room for exceptions. Say, you were in the hospital puking your guts out with a 103 fever... AND, once you were coherent, had somebody contact the department/professor/etc. and politely request a make-up of some variety.
That said, my college policy was basically somebody had to die. Well, I had a Jewish professor for a math class. It was passover, so he was on leave and we had a sub to proctor an exam. I had been out the week before with the flu, and then my grandfather died two days before the exam. I didn't even know who to contact since I couldn't contact the professor. So, I went to the funeral, came back late at night, and took the exam bright and early the next morning with everyone else. I had missed a week of class, the review, and had 2 hours of sleep due to travel and my fiancee getting the flu on our return trip, but I took the exam anyway.
Since I had been learning all along and not cramming, I managed to teach myself the material I had missed while traveling and aced the exam.
So, my level of sympathy is minimal. Yes, shit happens, but if you really are puking your guts out, the professor will want you to NOT be in the classroom.
Shannon M. Howell at October 27, 2013 6:41 AM
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