> From: "Hetzel, Rod" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Louis makes some excellent points, but I find it hard to believe that
> the teacher is the sole person responsible for developing an enriching
> and educational environment in the classroom.
I'm glad Louis clarified his position on this.
Although it sounds like he still places much of the burden on us. I have no
problem with that -- we're in charge and the classroom should operate as if
that were true.
> Some students are much
> more difficult to engage in the classroom or one-on-one in your office.
Yes, I agree. I have no problem with continually examining myself in general
and as I relate to each and every student.
But some students walk into the classroom predisposed to work with me.
I would certainly think the increased enrollments over the past 20-30 years
has been a boon and a bane to professors. The downside seems to be
more students who come to college without the proper tools and without
much enthusiasm.
How many of us have had a non-trad student in the classroom who admitted
on one occasion "I went to college twenty years ago but didn't care."?
We can do a lot to get people more motivated but can't make people care.
> In fact, some students resist any type of engagement, regardless of what
> the professor does or who he or she is as a person. To suggest that the
> professor has the sole responsibility for getting students excited about
> learning is similar to saying that a counselor is the sole person
> responsible for bringing about change in their clients.
Interesting you brought that up -- I once read a text in grad school that made
_that very argument._ What a way to motivate the trainee, huh? Make
him/her believe client attrition is all his/her fault!!
Anyhoo, I think there are three variables we should examine: teacher,
student, and culture.
In our ever-increasing entertainment hungry culture I believe (and as
someone on the list already suggested) we are fighting harder against a
culture of students who believe that entertainment is part of education.
I myself sometimes worry that I have shifted in the past 10 years to being
more funny, more trivial, and dumping things that are "boring" but just as
important as other material, if not moreso.
I hate to think I might be adjusting my curriculum based on smiles.
Know what I mean?
Rod, as a fellow churchgoer, I'm sure you might agree that even in the
pews the emphasis on entertainment has polluted the pulpit in the past
generation. I've heard this comment from many a preacher -- that there
is more of a press to be "funny" and "entertaining."
Now I wonder if there are any studies about THAT?
See ya,
*******************************************************************
Jim Guinee, Ph.D.
Director of Training & Adjunct Professor
University of Central Arkansas Counseling Center
313 Bernard Hall Conway, AR 72035 USA
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who
asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with GENTLENESS and RESPECT"
[emphasis mine] [1 Peter 3:15]
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