I haven't yet seen the article but I do struggle with the issue of how I spend
time. It is a resource that has an absolute limitation.
My college has a major push for retention at the same time that we are
increasing the size of the school. I teach a large number of first-year
students. This means that I have a lot of students who are not at all prepared
for academic work at the level we intend to provide, and yet the college
expects me - somehow - to get them to pass the course and stay in school.
Often their problems are behavioral more than IQ.
But what about the smaller number of really superb students - the ones who have
interesting questions? The ones I would like to engage in informal discussions
outside of class or invite to write on more interesting topics? I spent 3
hours last week in meetings with an about a student taking my class for the
second time who, in reality, needs to work for a couple of years before
attending college. I wasn't available to help a student re-draft a paper where
he chose to use Baudrillard to explore what he calls the "pseudo-simplicity"
movement.
Gerry, was this the question you wanted to address? I'd be interested to know
how others handle it.
Peace,
Sr Edith
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit,
born of an intellectual conviction of the need for
change in those mental attitudes and values which
shape the course of a nation's development."
-- Aung San Suu Kyi
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Sister Edith Bogue, Ph.D. / Dept. of Sociology
College of St. Scholastica / Duluth MN 55811-4199
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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>>> Gerry Grzyb <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 02/21/06 6:17 AM >>>
Today's quote of the day from the NY Times:
"You're spending too much time with my moron classmates and you ought to be
focusing on those of us who are getting the material."
<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/21/education/21professors.html?th&emc=th>ROBERT
B. AHDIEH, an associate professor at Emory Law School, on one type of
e-mail message he receives from students.
I get these on occasion--most recently, last semester when I attempted to
make things a bit easier in a class where half failed the first exam. I
must admit, they do bother me. Discussion, anyone?
Dr. Gerry Grzyb, Chair
Department of Sociology
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Office: Swart 317A
920-424-2040 (Personal office)
920-424-2030 (Sociology office)
920-424-1418 (Sociology fax)
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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