Teaching tyrant

I will take it as merely coincidence that we discussed Ionesco's The Lesson today. (power struggle between professor and student that ends in the student's death).

In our pedagogy meetings, I realise that I am the hardass when it comes to putting up with student crap. And my desire to enforce the rules could potentially turn me into a tyrant. And my students lackluster responses is only heightening this potential.

As part of the Theater History course, students submit short (1 paragraph) responses to something in class. Of late, these have been REALLY broad, mostly opinion, and rarely grounded in the text. The fact that these students couldn't be bothered to learn how to spell, or at least spell-check only aggravates me more, since I have to spend 10 minutes just editing their work to a point that I can read it.

Last week's discussion on Medea and Lysistrata was engaging, interesting. Students were connecting their ideas with quotes from the plays. Every single person participated, which made me really excited about this week. However, this week, I had barely half my class submit anything. What I got was along the lines of "I don't get it" (yes, it's a foreign form, but give it a try). One guy's schtick is not liking anything. I get alot of "It was nice." Yuk!

It's very difficult to craft a truly interactive discussion if they won't throw the ball. Or if they throw the ball, the just throw it far enough for it to not be in their hands. I have to fight the impulse to lay down really firm ground rules of "there must be a quote", "you must proofread your work", "no attachments" or something as obvious as "put your freakin' name on it, no matter how shitty it is."

The other discussion leaders are much milder than I. Combined with what happens when I get this provoked. Oh well, maybe the midterm will whip them into shape. And if the others are too nice to do it, I will be happy to read them the riot act.

I think I will go home, drink a beer, and then respond.

This doesn't deter me from wanting to be a teacher, but it does make me more aware of the pitfalls of my temperament, as well as my teaching strategies.

on Pandora: "Gonna Get Myself into It" - The Rapture