Wednesday, November 26
Am I a sucker?
Or do I just believe in passing along a good deed?
When I was an undergrad, I took a class in the physics of music. (I may have written about this before, but I'm too lazy too look for it now.) I really had no business in this class; I hated math, had never taken physics, and the only reason I was there was that it counted for a "cluster" class in maths and sciences, which every music major had trouble getting. I was literally surrounded by musicians; the first day of class felt like a tiny reunion on the "wrong" campus (WVU is divided into two campuses, and this class was taught on the opposite campus from the creative arts' building.)
Anyway, a math-oriented friend was supposed to help me through the class, but he ended up with mono (thanks, Chris) and took off for the semester. I was in way over my head. I did okay on the first of the three tests (ten essays, pick five to answer), did poorly on the second, and by the time the third rolled around, I was only able to answer two, and I missed one of those. I left a huge note on the bottom of the test, saying how I'd been lost almost from the beginning and that I needed help desperately.
The professor gave me some help in his office and then made me a deal: he wouldn't count the third test, and he'd count my final twice. Somehow, I managed to scrape an extremely undeserved A out of that class.
Now I have a similar situation in my own class. Girl, through little fault of her own, is in way over her head with little chance of being able to help herself. Three tests, on all of which she's done poorly. She came to me last night begging for help. I told her that we would have her present her paper next week, then examine her grade and see what we could do after that.
Am I a sucker? Should I give her the same undeserved chance that I got? I'm leaning toward it.
Posted on November 26, 08:41 AM
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I lean towards giving her the chance. What your prof did was certainly kind, but it still depended on you doing the work, kwim? IMO, as long as a student is working the entire time, the main goal is for the student to walk away from the class knowimg more, not so much for the student to come to understanding on a particular schedule. And as for precedent...it's the end of the semester and you're about to move away. You have a unique chance to do this good thing without sticking around long enough for freeloaders to get around to asking for the same treatment.
Oh, no, I wouldn't make it possible for her to get an A. Honestly, I really didn't expect or want my own professor to do that; I just didn't want to fail. :-)
No, I want to help her out, since she really has been trying. The only time she's missed class was due to a medical emergency, for which she brought a note. I know that this class has been a good deal harder than many of them expected or that the catalogue implied, so I'm trying to cut them as much slack as I can.
My husband is in a similar position right now, but on the student end.
I gave him the advice to talk with his teacher and see what he could do. He's only hoping for a C, which as a A student, he is devistated about.
My only advice to you is to trust your gut. Does she try, does she attend class faithfully, is she prepared? If she's honestly trying, and still struggling, maybe you could consider her dedication and effort as part of her grade. Especially if she prepares a thoughtful presentation next week.
Interested to hear what you decide. :)
I think the situations are a little different in that you started out doing okay and gradually got worse. You also needed the class as a requirement. The class you're teaching is an elective, so in over her head or not, your student had a bit more choice than you did.
If she did poorly on three tests, she probably should've come to you after the first one. I don't know that I'd make it possible for her to get an A. I think the most you should do would be to help her in such a way that she doesn't fail the class outright.
I was the recipient of a similar kindness from my deductive logic professor in college. Another student and I pretty much camped out on the floor of his office for the second half the quarter. He was wonderfully helpful! I eventually squeaked out a "B." I say give her a chance if you believe her to be sincere.
I know that I hardly comment on items here, but I thought you could use some insight. I, too just started teaching and had a similar situation occur.
I try to give my students the benefit of the doubt, especially if they seem to be genuine. I think that if they are struggling AND they've really tried to grasp the concepts, maybe they could use that hand!
I look at things like attendance & participation, homework assignments, extenuating circumstances, and their general attitude towards the class.
Just remember, you set a precedent when you do something like that! Sometimes that's not a huge deal, but it's something that you need to keep in the back of your mind.
For what it's worth, I hope this helps!
Joshua
