There is something that has been bothering me about students learning in college. The question is, how much do I treat students like adults and how much do I treat them like children? I have been leaning towards treating them like adults. For example: do I require them to come to class? Right now, no. I think they are adults and should choose whether they come to class or not. Do I require them to do homework? No. Again, I recommend homework (and I actually let them count it for part of their grade if they so choose). So, I give students the ability to choose what to do.
In thinking about this, I think about my children. Do I let them choose to go to bed whenever they want? No, I give them a bed time. Do they get to choose what to eat? No, they would choose junk food. Do they get to choose to read and do their math? No again - it is required.
So, back to homework and attending class. I am very confident that if students do the homework and come to class and pay attention, they will learn more. Is it my position to make them do these things that I know are good for them? Should I make them eat their vegetables? Some faculty firmly believe in making students do things. I prefer to not force them to eat their veggies. Instead, I try to help them understand why veggies are good for them. At some point, these students are going to have to make their own choices. Perhaps they have already started by choosing their major.
But even their major programs MAKE them do things. I hear this all the time from students taking service level science courses. They say "why do I have to take science?" I have some good answers for why every should take science courses, but should they be forced? I really don't know the answer.
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Definitely treat them like adults. They will be more likely to act like adults and grow into that role faster.
Their major programs "make" them do things so that they will have exposure to all of the most relevant topics in their field, so that they will have a more rounded education and a greater appreciation for other fields of study. I think those are good reasons to require basic science classes for all college students. College is not a vocational school where you only learn one subject.
I agree with you that students should not be required to come to class. Some teaching styles just don't work for me. Some teachers just restate the textbook. Some teachers have long notes with lots of superfluous information (I once condensed one teachers lecture notes from over 200 pages down to 19 pages).
Homework is a trickier question. Homework is where the learning really goes on. It requires application of topics covered in class, research of topics not covered in class, peer to peer learning and teaching, and refining problem solving skills. It doesn't require you to memorize a bunch of equations (which I often had to do for tests, which can detract from studying for the test), just know where to find them. I generally appreciated being required to do homework because it helped me to keep up with the class and not procrastinate my studying.
But whatever your class policies are, treat your students like rational human beings. Encourage them to think independently and share their ideas. Part of becoming an adult is understanding the consequences of your actions, and that is better to be learned earlier rather than later.
Hi all,
I agree with cahkaylahlee (some names...arghhh) and I think in the near future we have more and more virtual Universities/Colleges so it is cheaper and more efficient to stay in you dorm or you parents basement. Hands-on experiments are still needed, but with a little more imagination and use of new communication technology the need for it its way less than it looks like at first glance.
OPENCOURSEWARE MIT is a very good example of all of the above
http://www.physicsworks.ca for high quality physics links
I understand your dilemma and have heard similar from others in your position. I believe the demographic area in which you teach makes this even more of a struggle. You get some studens who understand that college is a CHOICE and others who believe that their tuition is a 'golden ticket' to a degree. The students of the latter type believe that things are owed to them from their college and their teachers. But if teachers give in to this expectation (forcing them to eat their veggies), will these students expand their intelligence and curiosities to the same level that is achievable by guidance in the direction of growth?
I may be talking in circles, but I understand. Personally, I like your approach. I've never felt as little anxiety around physics as I did in the half semester that you taught - and for the remainder of the semester. A permanent change? Maybe so!
Thanks man.