Is Failing Your First Course a Sign of Bad Teaching?

[JasonRox]

It's probably easy to fail a first course due to not putting in enough work - excitement of a new place etc.

I don't think you can blame the lecturer tho' - if you're not learning off them, you should put the work in yourself to understand the course. Unless no-one is learning off them, then someone needs to speak out.

I've alwyas quite liked the system where you don't get taught anything specific to exams in lectures but this part of the course is done in small group tutorials.

You clearly did not read my other posts.

We are a class of 7. No one handed in the last assignment! No one knows what they are doing. Our class is full of bright students with GPA's of 3.7+!

That's clear evidence that the professor isn't teaching. It's not a difference style! It's just flat out not teaching.

This isn't your typical bad professor. I had professor's that didn't teach how I liked to be taught, but I worked around just fine because they teach just differently that's all. This guy didn't teach so you can't even assign a style to him. That's like dividing by 0 because you just can't.

 

[J77]

We are a class of 7. No one handed in the last assignment! No one knows what they are doing. Our class is full of bright students with GPA's of 3.7+!

Then, you need to talk to your college.

In the UK, I would advise: Personal tutor first, then head of year, then head of department...

However, if none are willing to help - go to the Student Union.

Do you have such things in the US?

(I have no idea what a GPA is...)

 

[DeadWolfe]

What course was it?

 

[Knavish]

Who cares? If you're motivated, read the book. That's all there is to it. He must have at least given you an outline of the course.

What did you do in class all day? Why didn't you drop the class before it was too late? I'm having a hard time believing he made you twiddle your thumbs for the hour.

I think you ought to blame yourself. As another poster commented, grad. schools or future employers won't be looking at the professor's name; they'll be looking at the grade he gave you.

 

[franznietzsche]

Who cares? If you're motivated, read the book. That's all there is to it. He must have at least given you an outline of the course.

Well someone certainly doesn't read threads. He specifically said they were never given one.

 

[Knavish]

My point was that he could have studied for the tests on his own. If the professor didn't cover anything, there is no way in hell the university is letting him teach an upper-level class (small class, 3.7+'s?), let alone paying him. I'm not trying to be the jackass here, I just don't see how the rest of you are taken in by this. Sounds like he's making a few excuses and petty attacks behind the Internet to me.

 

[JasonRox]

My point was that he could have studied for the tests on his own. If the professor didn't cover anything, there is no way in hell the university is letting him teach an upper-level class (small class, 3.7+'s?), let alone paying him. I'm not trying to be the jackass here, I just don't see how the rest of you are taken in by this. Sounds like he's making a few excuses and petty attacks behind the Internet to me.

We did twiddle our thumbs the whole class.

I did do my own work. I spent lots of time looking for a good text. I actually found it, and that's great.

I did study for the tests. The tests weren't all that bad because he basically told us what was going to be on it, so we just memorized everything. I can hardly call that understanding anyways.

Petty attack behind the internet? Hmm... look at some past threads that I created. I was genuinely trying to work. It's just I must be given a little bit of direction, which he didn't give at all. And he did not give a course outline.

FOR GOD SAKES HE LEFT US IN A ROOM BY OURSELVES DURING THE EXAM FOR 2 HOURS! AND THEN LEFT FOR THE LAST HOUR!

We could have cheated like cake, but no one dared to because we are good students and all. He was also late for the exam too! He wasn't done photocopying them! We only have 7 students. How hard can that be.

Also, this isn't a petty attack behind the internet. I talked about it with another professor. He was shocked to see a bright student struggle like this, especially considering the fact that I have learned a lot independently. It takes direction though however little it may be. Anyone who denies the need for direction is a fool.

I understand your concerns, but I think you're going to false conclusions here. I'm not your average student who dicks around all day at school.

 

[J77]

Petty attack behind the internet? Hmm... look at some past threads that I created. I was genuinely trying to work. It's just I must be given a little bit of direction, which he didn't give at all. And he did not give a course outline.

FOR GOD SAKES HE LEFT US IN A ROOM BY OURSELVES DURING THE EXAM FOR 2 HOURS! AND THEN LEFT FOR THE LAST HOUR!

As you obviously feel strongly about this, isn't the point that posting your grievences on the internet not doing much to help the situation.

You should take it up with the powers that be at your institution!

 

[JasonRox]

As you obviously feel strongly about this, isn't the point that posting your grievences on the internet not doing much to help the situation.

You should take it up with the powers that be at your institution!

Like I said, I talked about it with a professor.

Yes, I will be doing something about it. I just want to wait until my grades are official first.

 

[DeadWolfe]

Dude, what course was it??

 

[J77]

Yes, I will be doing something about it. I just want to wait until my grades are official first.

I'm not getting at you, but don't you think it may be too late once the grades are finalised?

And, if you get a good grade will you still take the bad teaching up with your college?

Strike whilst the iron's hot.

 

[JasonRox]

I'm not getting at you, but don't you think it may be too late once the grades are finalised?

And, if you get a good grade will you still take the bad teaching up with your college?

Strike whilst the iron's hot.

I just don't want to fail because of my comments.

Good grades mean nothing. I'm doing very bad in philosophy, but the professor is great and I might even take another one of his classes. I learned a lot, and that's what I'm there for.