The tulips made up for another former student who also stopped by this week. This person was a student in my graduate class a few years ago, though not one of our public health students. The purpose of the visit was this-- "why is your class so hard?" Excuse me? I just stared at them in disbelief. Did I just hear what I think I heard? Apparently this person had been thinking this for quite some time and determined that the next time they had the opportunity to see me, they were going to ask me this question. Hello?! Who does that?
This person proceeded to tell me that all students in the class that semester and the current MPH students think my class is the most demanding. Blah Blah Blah. I suggested that maybe the other classes that this person took that same semester (not in our department) were too easy. Honestly, I was completely speechless during this whole interaction, and that was all I could think of to say. They assured me that this was not the case. Then, as if this person was doing me a favor, they suggested that I consider making the class easier and less demanding, extolling the virtues of such an approach. After all, I wouldn't want students to remember me because my class was so hard. Hum... maybe I should have shown them the tulips. I've talked with hundreds of students in the last ten years, but this is one for the books.
4 comments:
Mike actually appreciates the "hard" BYU classes... definitely made him more prepared for masters work. Keep up the good... hard work!
And you said I should keep a notebook of the interesting things said in therapy! Sorry the student was so harsh and insensitive. We had our mid-program faculty evals today and I was surprised to hear from one of the professors about how much my participation had made them feel like a good teacher. I think as a student it is sometimes easy to mush together the professor and the classwork. I think of classes that have challenged me (in a negative sense) and most of the time it's been my responsibility for the difficulties.
As a former student I would have to disagree with the student that came to your office. Your class was not "too hard", it was demanding, but I think that encouraged us to stretch ourselves and become better students and future public health practitioners. I learned more in this class than in the easier ones I took that same semester. I think changing the class to make it easier would be a disservice to the students. This class was fantastic, while it was difficult you provided us with all of the information we needed to be successful, and were willing to lend a helping hand along the way. Don't change the class, it was great! (PS. I hope it is okay that I commented)
I found your blog through MaryAnne's and I hope that it's ok if I comment as well...even if it is a little after the fact.
I really enjoyed both of the classes I took from you. Yes, they were demanding but in the best way. You challenged us to create something original and practical. I can still remember the five-a-day project geared towards freshman that we completed in your Social Marketing class and how we ended with a product that I was sure could (and should) actually be used. On the other hand, you'll never hear me complain that you canceled the midterm last winter. :)
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