Molly and TIPSters, The frustration that you expressed regarding your students' abilities (or lack thereof) is not unique to small, private colleges. I teach at a small college now, and I used to teach at a larger state university campus; I've seen "both sides," and I can tell you that many professors share your frustrations. I've seen crappy writing in both settings. I've also seen lousy computational skills. I'm two weeks away from the end of a 10-week term, and only about one-third of my students in statistics have the basic skills needed to go on to experimental psychology. I'm losing a bit of sleep over that, partly because I blame myself, and partly because I will be dealing with their cumulative deficits in my courses (i.e., a required course sequence for the major) for another three to six months. "I wish I had a dollar" for every time I have asked struggling students about their high school courses, and they told me about teachers who spoon-fed information to them, even in so-called "honors" courses. _Every_ chance I get, I ask these students to go back to their high schools and tell their former teachers and guidance counselors about their experiences. I also wish I had a dollar for every time a student told me that other _college_ professors had not critiqued their writing to the extent that I do! I'm not sure where I'm going with this long, rambling message, other than to close with the following advice: Provide all of the supports that you can to your students--extra help, study guides, review sessions, tutors, etc.. Be patient, and do not lose sight of the reason that you entered this profession--to facilitate the intellectual and social development of students. Be a good, strong, supportive yet unyielding coach...and remember that you do NOT do students any favors by lowering your expectations. Dr. Barbara Watters Mercyhurst College Erie, PA 16546 Molly Straight wrote: > > I am in my first year of teaching at a small private college. I only > have 3 students in my class! I just gave an exam on 2 chapters and had > a D and 2 F's. And this was a computer-generated exam from the test > bank that came with the text! I had even given them a study guide, > which I wrote after I had made up the exam! > > One of the reasons I just joined this list and a few others, was for > ideas, support, and inspiration. So, Annette & others, what do you do > besides give a make-up exam? I don't really want to do that. I do not > have class time to spend on that. I assigned an essay combining > elements from both chapters, for 15 points towards their exam grade > (total of 60 points). They had the weekend to do it. I feel I have to > know that they understand the material or else I cannot give them a > passing grade on the material. > > I have also been very disappointed in the quality of their writing. > What are they teaching in high schools, anyway? These students were > probably considered good students in high school. So, I have had to > lower my expectations of their writing or they would all be failing! > Other instructors there are having the same problems. > I was an undergraduate just three years ago myself and I would not > have dreamed of turning in papers of the level that they are. > > Molly Straight
