Re: reviewing for Students

["Michael N. Monce" <mnmon@CONNCOLL.EDU>]

On Mon, 13 May 2002, John S. Denker wrote:

> > At some level they need to be responsible for their learning.
>
> Ah, yes ... but inculcating a sense of responsibility is
> part of the syllabus.  The sink-or-swim approach is not a
> particularly good way to motivate people.  It will cause
> them to think you don't care whether they sink or not.

        Hmmm...nowhere on my syllabus is "teach the students to be
responsible".  There certainly are consequences in the course for not
being responsible (e.g. turning in work late), but it's not a primary
part of what I am trying to do. I think Tina is correct; they are
responsible for their own learning at some level.

        There was a great column by the syndicated writer, Susan Plese,
last week on educational responsibility. Or better, the old saw about
"leading a horse to water.."


>  -- Saving all the questions for the last day is not the optimal
>     approach.  Rather than famine followed by one big feast, it
>     might be better to solicit questions all through the year.

        I don't think that this is what Tina was about, and I doubt she
waited until the last day to deal with all questions.  I believe what
she was expressing was the last day frustration of dealing with a group of
students who want the information injected directly into their psyches
without any effort on their part.  Motivating students is fine, but they
must meet the instructor half way.


                        Mike Monce
                        Connecticut College