Sunday, April 5, 2009
Frustrated
Now that we are nearing the end of the semester, I find students slacking off on assignments. I think after midterm conferences they feel secure enough in their grades to ease off a bit on homework. I don't think they understand the interconnectivity of grades in the course. If they didn't complete the invention activities or draft work for an essay project, they can't get above a D for some categories on the evaluation rubric such as "Engaging the Writing Process," "Collaborating with Peers," or "Seeking Feedback & Assistance Responsibly." Most of them are hovering around a 'C,' but blowing off even a few homework assignments could very easily push their grades down into the 'D' range by finals...especially those students who aren't revising. For the next two writing projects, I'm refusing to read or respond to unrevised drafts. Perhaps that will give them the motivation they need to put some real effort into their writing. I know most of them don't care about this course - it's just another dreaded requirement. I do my best to make the class engaging. I hate seeing them throw away the greatest power they will ever have at their disposal. They don't get it. And I don't know how to make it real for them. Perhaps I can't.
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Don't get frustrated. I care about the course even though it is a dreaded requirement. I think most aren't revising the way you want us to because we cant figure out a way to change it and make it better or think of anything different to add. And isn't effort just effort, whether its real or not? I dont see a difference between real effort as opposed to the fake kind of effort.
ReplyDeleteI guess by "real effort" I meant just "effort." So many students are turning in the exact same draft to me for comments as they turned in for workshop. That's no effort. If students are unsure how o change the draft, why aren't they scheduling a conference with me or someone in the Writing Center? I don't get it. As an adjunct, I don't have to make "office" hours available, but I do because I care about the success of my students and want to be available to them But very seldom does anyone take advantage of it. When I was a student, if I wasn't getting As, I was seeking out every campus resource to help me: instructor's office hours, Study Skills, Math Center, Writing Center, research librarians, etc. I wish I could understand the apathy most students exemplify.
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