Okay, so I just finished reading through the surveys you filled out a couple of weeks ago. A few patterns emerged that I’d like to address. Representative comments from the surveys are italicized; my responses are in regular old flat-front font.
I hate annotating.
This one came up a lot. For some reason, a lot of people associate it with high school, which surprises me because I associate it with grad school. It’s one way—maybe the best way—to read deeply, and to process what you’re reading. But you know what? I’ll stop requiring it for now. If you get the value of annotating, cool. Keep doing it. If you don’t get it, you can stop.
I’m toying around with the idea of dropping the requirement of annotating, along with the contribution and learning summaries for next semester. My worry is that discussion will suffer. If you can show me that these things aren’t necessary for a full and vigorous discussion, I’ll probably drop them. But if discussion suffers, they will rise from the grave.
When we write papers, I think it would help if we had some more individual guidance.
Be more available.
You could help us learn better by maybe going over our papers with us one on one either before we turn it in or after.
A lot of times when I am still confused on your expectations.
A lot of people have questions. A lot of people want more feedback, especially on their essays. So here’s my question for you: what should you do about that?
One of the big things I’m trying to do this year is to move you from passive receiver to active learner. You have questions? Ask me. You want feedback? Schedule a conference. Between my official office hours and the time that I’m around my office, I’m available to talk with students about twelve hours a week.
Be your own best advocate. Take initiative.
I don’t like how contribution is tied to my grade. If I don’t want to talk, I shouldn’t have to talk.
Here are the objectives for every FYS: writing, reading, research, and oral communication (especially by way of discussion). I understand that talking in a whole group discussion might be outside of your comfort zone, but it’s an essential part of this class. If you told me that reading made you uncomfortable, I couldn’t very well excuse you from doing it, could I? The same goes for discussion.
Finally, though most of the comments were positive, it was clear that a few people harbor a deep, burning hatred for this class. If you feel this way, don’t make yourself miserable. Take a different FYS in the spring. You’ve got options.
Keep doin it big homie.
You, too, homeslice.