Friday, September 13, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Six degrees to exasperation #3
So you know of six degrees of separation: the theory that everyone and everything is six or fewer steps away. So let me present:
Six degrees to exasperation
So here is mistake number three:
Students test you to see what they can get away with. It's a pretty good idea to nip a problem in the bud so to speak, so when two students won't stop talking deal with it asap. It will eventually get on your nerves and you may lose it, so while you're calm speak to them after class and suggest that they may have to be split up if they don't don't cool it.
My illustration below is a case in point. Now it did happen to occur on 9/11 and so I was a wreck anyway but these two guys were trouble from the beginning of the semester and I never dealt with them.
So deal with Chatty Cathy(s) before your nerves get fried or you may end up with a bag over your head...
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Students test you to see what they can get away with. It's a pretty good idea to nip a problem in the bud so to speak, so when two students won't stop talking deal with it asap. It will eventually get on your nerves and you may lose it, so while you're calm speak to them after class and suggest that they may have to be split up if they don't don't cool it.
My illustration below is a case in point. Now it did happen to occur on 9/11 and so I was a wreck anyway but these two guys were trouble from the beginning of the semester and I never dealt with them.
So deal with Chatty Cathy(s) before your nerves get fried or you may end up with a bag over your head...
.jpg)
Friday, July 12, 2013
Six degrees to exasperation #2
So you know of six degrees of separation: the theory that everyone and everything is six or fewer steps away. So let me present:
Six degrees to exasperation
I’ve decided to provide tiny tidbits of advice for those newbie professors out there. Not that I’m so wise - just to be clear.
It is to help you prevent many of the mistakes that I myself have made along the way. And I’ve made many…
So here is mistake number two:
So I know you've seen Dead Poets Society - you can forget about being called oh captain, my captain - but what about the appellation: Mr. Keating. Or how about Mr. Thackeray in To Sir, with Love or even Mr. Holland in Mr. Holland's Opus?
My professors were Dr or Mr. or Miss or Ms. so it would seem a natural expectation to be called Miss X myself. No? Well times have changed - well at least where I've taught (and currently teach) - I'm sure things haven't changed at Oxford, or Harvard, or even the University of Toronto (where I spent many years of my life and where almost everyone was Dr X).
But... make sure you check out what the climate is in your College or Uni and adapt.
If you're the only one who insists on being called Miss X or Dr. X then - yes you guessed it - you may end up in tears.
So I know you've seen Dead Poets Society - you can forget about being called oh captain, my captain - but what about the appellation: Mr. Keating. Or how about Mr. Thackeray in To Sir, with Love or even Mr. Holland in Mr. Holland's Opus?
My professors were Dr or Mr. or Miss or Ms. so it would seem a natural expectation to be called Miss X myself. No? Well times have changed - well at least where I've taught (and currently teach) - I'm sure things haven't changed at Oxford, or Harvard, or even the University of Toronto (where I spent many years of my life and where almost everyone was Dr X).
But... make sure you check out what the climate is in your College or Uni and adapt.
If you're the only one who insists on being called Miss X or Dr. X then - yes you guessed it - you may end up in tears.
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