This is another excellent example of the Lake Wobegon effect common to the human species. Students don't believe they cheat as much as fellow students, most people believe their sense of humor is better than average and I am sure most teachers think they are better than the average teacher. I am sure it is due to this very phenomenon that I think I am a better teacher than almost everyone I know (other than my esteemed colleagues who will read this on TIPS). It is part of the self-serving bias that helps to maintain our positive self-esteem. It is not possible to draw any conclusions about the actual state of teaching from such a poll.
Dr. Rick Froman Associate Professor of Psychology John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR 72761 (479) 524-7295 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: http://www.jbu.edu/academics/sbs/rfroman.asp -----Original Message----- From: Louis_Schmier [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 1:33 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: Re: Random Thought: (WE) Shelf Talkers You know, Paul, there was a study done a while back in the University of California system. The overwhelmning majority of respondees, who made up a significant proportion of system faculty, characterized the quality of teaching as seriously wanting. With meager exceptions, the same majority proclaimed that they were good teachers. Make it a good day. --Louis-- Louis Schmier www.therandomthoughts.com Department of History www.halcyon.com/arborhts/louis.html Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /~\ /\ /\ (229-333-5947) /^\ / \ / /~ \ /~\__/\ / \__/ \/ / /\ /~ \ /\/\-/ /^\___\______\_______/__/_______/^\ -_~ / "If you want to climb mountains, \ /^\ _ _ / don't practice on mole hills" -\____ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
