* Hayden-Harnett Hottie's Hangout! *
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Jen--MLA updated in '09 but I doubt you're using it for biz proposals!
Honestly, I'm to the point where I just want them to format the ESSAY correctly. I'm just talking the basics. Margins. Spacing. DH had a student turn in an essay yesterday (two weeks left in the semester) triple-spaced, in 14-point font, and she STILL couldn't make the page length. It's ridiculous.
The worst part is the lack of personal responsibility. And I'm not talking about that in a political way. I just mean that the majority of my incoming freshman have been reminded of every assignment by their teachers, so they don't know how to follow an assignment schedule, and they've had every mistake (or laziness) excused by their parents and by the system... I know, I know, I sound SO old and conservative (and y'all KNOW that ain't true LOL). I'm just baffled. I'm on a committee looking at retention and I'm pushing HARD for a required 1-2 credit course that all incoming freshmen will have to take (most larger universities do this already) that just covers time management and the practical wake-up call they all need. No, mom won't drag your a$$ out of bed, so you'll have to make that 8am class all on your lonesome.
I still have students telling me they can't figure out their campus email, so could I please use their *[email protected]* account or some nonsense. For realz?!
Part of this is just our student population. They're largely unmotivated and feel like college is a given, just an extension of HS, but partly they're underprepared. If they were more prepared, they'd be going to CU. But yeah, I'm at my wit's end with them right now. The only good thing is when I hear them telling other students (or they say it to me) that they're glad they took my class even when other Comp teachers are easier, that they actually learned something and are glad I don't let them "get away" with stuff... it seems there's been a lot of getting away with stuff in their lives. I love those students.
Honestly, I'm to the point where I just want them to format the ESSAY correctly. I'm just talking the basics. Margins. Spacing. DH had a student turn in an essay yesterday (two weeks left in the semester) triple-spaced, in 14-point font, and she STILL couldn't make the page length. It's ridiculous.
The worst part is the lack of personal responsibility. And I'm not talking about that in a political way. I just mean that the majority of my incoming freshman have been reminded of every assignment by their teachers, so they don't know how to follow an assignment schedule, and they've had every mistake (or laziness) excused by their parents and by the system... I know, I know, I sound SO old and conservative (and y'all KNOW that ain't true LOL). I'm just baffled. I'm on a committee looking at retention and I'm pushing HARD for a required 1-2 credit course that all incoming freshmen will have to take (most larger universities do this already) that just covers time management and the practical wake-up call they all need. No, mom won't drag your a$$ out of bed, so you'll have to make that 8am class all on your lonesome.
I still have students telling me they can't figure out their campus email, so could I please use their *[email protected]* account or some nonsense. For realz?!
Part of this is just our student population. They're largely unmotivated and feel like college is a given, just an extension of HS, but partly they're underprepared. If they were more prepared, they'd be going to CU. But yeah, I'm at my wit's end with them right now. The only good thing is when I hear them telling other students (or they say it to me) that they're glad they took my class even when other Comp teachers are easier, that they actually learned something and are glad I don't let them "get away" with stuff... it seems there's been a lot of getting away with stuff in their lives. I love those students.
I don't think it just your students jenni. I cannot tell you how many interns/assistants we've gone through because they cannot complete simple tasks (like showing up to work and doing work).
I was EIC of my law review so I have a fondness for citations (although legal citations are nothing like real citations).
OMFG it is 2:39 I have been at work since 7:15 and there is still sooooooo much to do.
I realize spending less time on internet could help but it is the only thing keep me from homicide right now.
I was EIC of my law review so I have a fondness for citations (although legal citations are nothing like real citations).
OMFG it is 2:39 I have been at work since 7:15 and there is still sooooooo much to do.
I realize spending less time on internet could help but it is the only thing keep me from homicide right now.
Jenni - I was going to add to the rant earlier but the sense of personal responsibility doesn't end with students. Some professional practicing registered nurses don't bother showing up for their assessments for getting credentialed in Canada. I just had another one this week. My time is booked, the labs are booked, student actors are booked and they just don't bother. The one this week is coming from europe and didn't show today. Our program assistant contacted her and she obviously knew a long time ago that she wasn't coming since she would have had to book flights/hotel etc. She thinks she "perhaps" forgot to let us know. Seriously? She was previously sent the standard email about the importance of letting us know well in advance if there are cancellations, visa problems etc. Luckily a good chunk of the competencies we are measuring them against have to do with professional responsibility and accountability - so if she ever re-applies we can use the "no show" in that section to demonstrate unmet competencies.
OK - rant over.
Also - as a parent of 2 kids in this age group and some familiarity with all of their vast friend network, I can honestly say that the school system does them no favours. Way too many ribbons for "participating" instead of the 1st, 2nd or 3rd we all had to strive for. Participating becomes just "showing up".
Even the academically bright kids are struggling with expectations in university. They are perplexed and ill-equipped to deal with the demands. Many of the kids that were A and B students are dropping out - not coping. Honestly I think some of the C+ and B students are doing better - the ones that had to actually work in high school to do okay. DD was a super bright kid in high school. Advanced algebra, high marks, academic scholarship, college soccer - but it all came too easily for her. She barely had to work at it. So university was challenging for her. She did one year of liberal arts and dropped out, 1.5 years of fine arts and didn't like it and now is thinking about a 2 year program in animal health technology. She's grown up a bit and spent more time knowing herself so maybe this will work. She has an interview today to complete the volunteer work required and so far I am hopeful that she has made a good decision. I do think it is a much better fit with her personality and interests.
DS made it through on charm alone. And looks. I was continually shocked at how many teachers loved him and encouraged him even though he basically did nothing. Great charisma, great presentations in class, good participation with conversation and debate and then zero homework and effort. I used to call him Bill *******. Teflon personality. But he has totally stepped up to the plate in Montreal. A huge social network, doing well at school. Very serious about his future career and has formed a company doing music productions and DJ'ing. Still going to school but the company is actually hiring others. He phoned me yesterday to have a long discussion about future schooling he wants to do once he finishes next April in Montreal. I almost fell off my chair. He had looked up a number of different programs and options and was actually having a serious conversation about the future. I think he will be fine.
When I went to Montreal he took me to a different restaurant every night. Every place we went he had friends that worked there and he conned them into reservations that are hard to get. Big hugs at the front door of the restaurants, great service and his friends comped us wine and/or brought us special little appies like a scallop shooter. He knows everybody it seems. He was constantly promoting his company and gigs and passing out ticket bracelets etc. Mr promoter.
OK - rant over.
Also - as a parent of 2 kids in this age group and some familiarity with all of their vast friend network, I can honestly say that the school system does them no favours. Way too many ribbons for "participating" instead of the 1st, 2nd or 3rd we all had to strive for. Participating becomes just "showing up".
Even the academically bright kids are struggling with expectations in university. They are perplexed and ill-equipped to deal with the demands. Many of the kids that were A and B students are dropping out - not coping. Honestly I think some of the C+ and B students are doing better - the ones that had to actually work in high school to do okay. DD was a super bright kid in high school. Advanced algebra, high marks, academic scholarship, college soccer - but it all came too easily for her. She barely had to work at it. So university was challenging for her. She did one year of liberal arts and dropped out, 1.5 years of fine arts and didn't like it and now is thinking about a 2 year program in animal health technology. She's grown up a bit and spent more time knowing herself so maybe this will work. She has an interview today to complete the volunteer work required and so far I am hopeful that she has made a good decision. I do think it is a much better fit with her personality and interests.
DS made it through on charm alone. And looks. I was continually shocked at how many teachers loved him and encouraged him even though he basically did nothing. Great charisma, great presentations in class, good participation with conversation and debate and then zero homework and effort. I used to call him Bill *******. Teflon personality. But he has totally stepped up to the plate in Montreal. A huge social network, doing well at school. Very serious about his future career and has formed a company doing music productions and DJ'ing. Still going to school but the company is actually hiring others. He phoned me yesterday to have a long discussion about future schooling he wants to do once he finishes next April in Montreal. I almost fell off my chair. He had looked up a number of different programs and options and was actually having a serious conversation about the future. I think he will be fine.
When I went to Montreal he took me to a different restaurant every night. Every place we went he had friends that worked there and he conned them into reservations that are hard to get. Big hugs at the front door of the restaurants, great service and his friends comped us wine and/or brought us special little appies like a scallop shooter. He knows everybody it seems. He was constantly promoting his company and gigs and passing out ticket bracelets etc. Mr promoter.
MD, I hear ya, sista. But I also know the only way I'm getting any sleep tonight is if I log OFF, quit staring at the JCrew sweaters, and get stuff graded for tomorrow. So on THAT... hang in there HHHotties!! <grouphug> Catch y'all tonight between glasses of wine!
ETA: Sally, I guess it's reassuring (in a bad way) to know it's not just this population... to some degree we're reaping the shift to positive reinforcement and all of that... this is where it really starts to make me question things I've always believed in. But I missed all of that as a student, and I was competitive. It sounds like your DS has figured things out, and that DD will as well... no matter what the rest of the world has told them, it sounds like you and DH have kept them grounded and "real"
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md and jenn, I support you in your respective rants. Rant away.
Happy Chanukkah!
Waiting on the soon to be ex-DH to sign the friggin' papers so that we may take the next available court date. Do it! Do it now!
Just watched Labyrinth w/ the kids. That movie ROCKS!
Happy Chanukkah!
Waiting on the soon to be ex-DH to sign the friggin' papers so that we may take the next available court date. Do it! Do it now!
Just watched Labyrinth w/ the kids. That movie ROCKS!
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^I actually squealed w/ delight when David Bowie came on screen! :shame: I remembered all of the lines and the music. So much awesomeness on soooo many levels! And such bizarre sexual undertones for a children's movie! Used to watch it over and over w/ my gay best friend in high school. Miss him!
jen, sallyca I hear you and third the motion. I actually wrote a paper on the topic of student/employee slacker attitude and specific societal causes. I believe some of this has to do with exactly what both of you posit.
As much as Charles Murray and David Brooks often give me heartburn, IMHO they're right on target about students' lack of discipline and how society encourages underachievement.
Don't want to bore anyone with blah blah blah. But IMHO Geoffrey Canada's approach in Harlem might be one model for a change. The way he runs his charter school (Harlem Children's Zone) shows promise. Short Op/Ed I remember reading.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/opinion/08brooks.html
Honestly, I also have issues with the population I deal with and their lack of time management skills. Go on, take a look at how many of them don't know what hour it is, or even what day it is because they use their cell phones as a second brain..perhaps the only brain some of them have. They aren't called smart phones for nothing. They don't wear watches and use their cell phones to check the time, usually before they text someone while I'm tutoring or teaching.
So what are we all to do? I'm doing my darndest to teach classes in high school about being reliable and responsible, how to keep track of assignments, work to task, not leave things to the last moment yada yada yada. By and large, my students have shown significant improvement only when the parents stop making excuses for behavior,bullying teachers and administrators to forgive and forget which sends a horrible message to the kids.
My own kids probably wished I would have forgotten about them when they were attending HS. But boy did they learn about time management and working with teachers, keeping appointments, and dealing with the fallout if they messed up. But believe me, after a few disappointments, they realized what they had to do in order to get the grades they wanted.
I also think the key is my last sentence..they actually wanted to earn good grades not simply get handed them. If we don't fix the system soon, our country will keep falling behind most of the first world, as far as academic achievement. Which leads to falling behind in business, innovation, creativity and productivity. Rightfully so.
Sheesh..lecture over...even though there's so much I can go on and on about.
FWIW, DS still can't wake up on time in the morning so he sets five alarm clocks at intervals until the bathroom. Big mothers..you know the old fashioned kind with the actual double bells that sound like a fire alarm. Gongongongong!!!
Yet there are times he sleeps through all of them so I have to wake him up with an ice cold wash cloth on his "manly bits'' through his PJs. Seriously. He gets upset with himself when it happens but he still stays up way too late. Perhaps he's doing research for his powerpoint presentation "The Art of Brewing Beer" ?
As much as Charles Murray and David Brooks often give me heartburn, IMHO they're right on target about students' lack of discipline and how society encourages underachievement.
Don't want to bore anyone with blah blah blah. But IMHO Geoffrey Canada's approach in Harlem might be one model for a change. The way he runs his charter school (Harlem Children's Zone) shows promise. Short Op/Ed I remember reading.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/opinion/08brooks.html
Honestly, I also have issues with the population I deal with and their lack of time management skills. Go on, take a look at how many of them don't know what hour it is, or even what day it is because they use their cell phones as a second brain..perhaps the only brain some of them have. They aren't called smart phones for nothing. They don't wear watches and use their cell phones to check the time, usually before they text someone while I'm tutoring or teaching.
So what are we all to do? I'm doing my darndest to teach classes in high school about being reliable and responsible, how to keep track of assignments, work to task, not leave things to the last moment yada yada yada. By and large, my students have shown significant improvement only when the parents stop making excuses for behavior,bullying teachers and administrators to forgive and forget which sends a horrible message to the kids.
My own kids probably wished I would have forgotten about them when they were attending HS. But boy did they learn about time management and working with teachers, keeping appointments, and dealing with the fallout if they messed up. But believe me, after a few disappointments, they realized what they had to do in order to get the grades they wanted.
I also think the key is my last sentence..they actually wanted to earn good grades not simply get handed them. If we don't fix the system soon, our country will keep falling behind most of the first world, as far as academic achievement. Which leads to falling behind in business, innovation, creativity and productivity. Rightfully so.
Sheesh..lecture over...even though there's so much I can go on and on about.
FWIW, DS still can't wake up on time in the morning so he sets five alarm clocks at intervals until the bathroom. Big mothers..you know the old fashioned kind with the actual double bells that sound like a fire alarm. Gongongongong!!!
Yet there are times he sleeps through all of them so I have to wake him up with an ice cold wash cloth on his "manly bits'' through his PJs. Seriously. He gets upset with himself when it happens but he still stays up way too late. Perhaps he's doing research for his powerpoint presentation "The Art of Brewing Beer" ?
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Thanks for the link, Gingey! And LOL@DS!!
I'm known as a harda$$ on campus, but even I'm frustrated with the incremental gains my students make. I've got to re-think my syllabus and prep a lecture (or articles to read, thanks Gingey!) about this. And it kills me when other profs corner us and demand to know why we can't teach kids how to fix their comma splices in comp I. Seriously?! I've spent the entire semester trying to get them to follow directions. YOU teach them comma splices. Not that I don't cover it, but I'm also covering MLA, how to use the library, how to READ an academic essay, how to organize an analytic, argumentative, etc., etc., essay, introductions, conclusions, transitions, how to even FIND a topic, essay exams, all of it. And you're worried about COMMA SPLICES?! :weird: I just want them to have an original thought (that they recognize as original), to NOT cite Wikipedia, and to set their bloody margins at one friggin' inch. Bite me, comma splice fascist. (And then I spill coffee on their shoes and run screaming from the faculty lounge.)
I'm known as a harda$$ on campus, but even I'm frustrated with the incremental gains my students make. I've got to re-think my syllabus and prep a lecture (or articles to read, thanks Gingey!) about this. And it kills me when other profs corner us and demand to know why we can't teach kids how to fix their comma splices in comp I. Seriously?! I've spent the entire semester trying to get them to follow directions. YOU teach them comma splices. Not that I don't cover it, but I'm also covering MLA, how to use the library, how to READ an academic essay, how to organize an analytic, argumentative, etc., etc., essay, introductions, conclusions, transitions, how to even FIND a topic, essay exams, all of it. And you're worried about COMMA SPLICES?! :weird: I just want them to have an original thought (that they recognize as original), to NOT cite Wikipedia, and to set their bloody margins at one friggin' inch. Bite me, comma splice fascist. (And then I spill coffee on their shoes and run screaming from the faculty lounge.)
lol man, these rants. I may be on the cusp of the generation you guys are talking about, but my youngest sister is definitely a part of it. I wonder how much of it is a product of the larger middle class - that so many of us have been brought up with everything provided and haven't had to see our parents working night jobs, or blue collar jobs, so it all just seems like that's how it's going to be. Not really articulating well here.