Re.: a thousand points of crap

[Chris Brady <cdbrady@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

you know that there are organizations that sponsor conservative student
groups on campus.  They do different jobs at different schools. Some
work on provocative, reactionary newspapers; on their pages they pose as
irreverent and arrogant and thus attract a certain number of
"disaffected" and cynical youth who want to strike out at something,
anything that won't strike back or threaten their comforts.  There are
also groups who have mentor professors who can focus on other professors
whose teachings are "wrongheaded" or "politically too correct."  They
snipe at anything they perceive that could be twisted into a slight or
"depravity."

Having gone through college as a working class adult after several years
in the work force, I saw some of that sort of thing, especially by
right-wing Jewish groups who did not like certain anti-Zionist
professors.
In graduate school it continues, but the anonymity and protection one
can use as an undergrad must be left behind simply because of the
culling that transpires in the move to grad school.

Having also taught, as well as having filled out evaluation sheets, I do
find value in what students have to say.  But the departmental forms are
not that much help because they are usually fill in the box or multiple
choice responses of the "very much--somehat--not at all" variety to
standard questions that students find boring.  They also don't think it
makes much of a difference anyways.

The most positive sort of evaluations are the sort you as a teacher make
up yourself.  You can guarantee confidentiality by making them
anonymous.  And you can encourage substance by asking students at the
beginning of courses to examine the process of the course.  Then near
the end ask them to write what they think could improve the course,
whether it is curricular or pedagogical.  The slackers won't bother, so
fine.  The most inquisitive or those with an axe to grind will respond.
And they will provide you with important input.  You will also be
contributing in a small way to democritization of the classroom and the
development of critical thinking.  Always leave time to examine the
response in class so the feedback ensures them that their efforts are
appreciated. And give credit where credit is due.  Good teachers are
still students anyway.  In recognizing the critique from younger
students you will be doing what you always wanted your teacher to do.
And if you are teaching about democracy (socialism), you will be seen as
putting your money where your mouth is, in a manner of speaking...


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