Is my Calculus III teacher really prepared for this class?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around concerns regarding the preparedness and effectiveness of a Calculus III teacher. Participants express frustrations about the teaching style, communication issues, and the impact on students' learning experiences in a fast-paced course.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses dissatisfaction with the teacher's frequent admissions of being unprepared and mistakes made during lessons, leading to confusion among students.
  • Another participant speculates that the teacher may be new to teaching and suggests that he might improve with experience, but acknowledges that the current class structure is challenging.
  • Concerns are raised about the mismatch between the textbook used by the teacher and the one used by the student, complicating the learning process.
  • A participant suggests that students should consider addressing their concerns with the administration if they feel the teaching methods are ineffective.
  • There is a recognition that while the teacher may improve over time, the current situation still poses difficulties for students in a condensed course format.
  • One participant mentions feeling nervous about the course and acknowledges the need to study independently to gain knowledge despite the challenges faced.
  • Another participant humorously notes a mistake in posting in the wrong thread, indicating some confusion in the discussion flow.
  • One participant contrasts their experience, stating they find Calculus III easier than Calculus II, suggesting varied experiences among students.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express dissatisfaction with the teacher's effectiveness, but there is no consensus on the best course of action or the overall impact of the teacher's inexperience. Multiple views on the situation and the teacher's potential for improvement remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the fast-paced nature of the course and the potential for students to struggle due to the teacher's inexperience. There are references to specific teaching methods and textbook issues that may affect learning outcomes.

Who May Find This Useful

Students experiencing similar frustrations with teaching effectiveness in higher-level mathematics courses, educators interested in the challenges faced by new teachers, and those considering how to address teaching quality in academic settings.

Petrus
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Well My calculus 3 teacher is well known for saying, "I Was not prepeared for this.." Evry single lessons.. When he show some proof he see that he makes misstake and use that as excuse.. And Also sometimes in exemple.. Then he says "You can read this exemple in book.." And I Dont even got same book.. I Dont gain from listens to him I just get more confused and calculus 3 is not easy to learn.. Well I am not alone but I start to think if My school is serious when they choose teacher..:/

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
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Re: Using expressions like "easy to see" or "it is obvious"

Petrus said:
Well My calculus 3 teacher is well known for saying, "I Was not prepeared for this.." Evry single lessons.. When he show some proof he see that he makes misstake and use that as excuse.. And Also sometimes in exemple.. Then he says "You can read this exemple in book.." And I Dont even got same book.. I Dont gain from listens to him I just get more confused and calculus 3 is not easy to learn.. Well I am not alone but I start to think if My school is serious when they choose teacher..:/

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$

While I have never formally taught, I suspect this professor is new to teaching. It sounds like this may even be his first term as a teacher. He will most likely quickly learn to know what he intends to prove in front of his students beforehand and have all the details already worked out, so that he does not stumble at the board. I would venture he is easily capable of these proofs, but because he is new, gets flustered and embarrassed when he makes a mistake and is unable to proceed at that point. For people who are new to speaking publicly, one little error could be all it takes to overwhelm them.

Regarding the textbook issue, I would say it is on you to obtain the correct textbook, and perhaps use the other as a supplement. :D
 
Re: Using expressions like "easy to see" or "it is obvious"

MarkFL said:
While I have never formally taught, I suspect this professor is new to teaching. It sounds like this may even be his first term as a teacher. He will most likely quickly learn to know what he intends to prove in front of his students beforehand and have all the details already worked out, so that he does not stumble at the board. I would venture he is easily capable of these proofs, but because he is new, gets flustered and embarrassed when he makes a mistake and is unable to proceed at that point. For people who are new to speaking publicly, one little error could be all it takes to overwhelm them.

Regarding the textbook issue, I would say it is on you to obtain the correct textbook, and perhaps use the other as a supplement. :D
Indeed he is NEW and nervous and yes he Will probably get better in time but My class Will still have trouble cause this is a fast calculus 3 which end in 1-1.2month so still we Will have a painfull.. I would be same as him but I would start with smaler, maybe help with homework or something.. My calculus book is not that bad I like it which is Calculus - James Stewart - Google B
Yes it is heavy TO CARRY>.< but still if you plan to show an exemple to student you can't just change your mind.. What ever I should STOP complain and do My best...Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
Re: Using expressions like "easy to see" or "it is obvious"

Petrus said:
Indeed he is NEW and nervous and yes he Will probably get better in time but My class Will still have trouble cause this is a fast calculus 3 which end in 1-1.2month so still we Will have a painfull.. I would be same as him but I would start with smaler, maybe help with homework or something.. My calculus book is not that bad I like it which is Calculus - James Stewart - Google B
Yes it is heavy TO CARRY>.< but still if you plan to show an exemple to student you can't just change your mind.. What ever I should STOP complain and do My best...Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$

Hey Petrus,

I apologize if I came off like I was telling you to just suck it up and not complain and just deal with it. This was not my intention at all. I was really just trying to perhaps see it from the perspective of a new teacher. But, in the end, if you and your classmates really feel that he is an ineffective teacher, then you are well within your rights to address these issues with the administration. If the issues go beyond him occasionally faltering at the board, but indeed really are more an issue of truly bad teaching methods, then you and your classmates would be acting in the interest of the school to (respectfully) point this out to his superiors. I would be sure to have concrete and specific examples to cite in your complaint, and the more who officially agree with the complaints, the less likely it will be taken as a few lazy students complaining about challenging coursework, which I know in your case is not true. :D

I think it would be best if I split this discussion into its own topic so that we do not derail the original discussion. :D
 
Re: Using expressions like "easy to see" or "it is obvious"

Somehow I posted in the wrong thread. (Doh)
 
Re: Using expressions like "easy to see" or "it is obvious"

MarkFL said:
Hey Petrus,

I apologize if I came off like I was telling you to just suck it up and not complain and just deal with it. This was not my intention at all. I was really just trying to perhaps see it from the perspective of a new teacher. But, in the end, if you and your classmates really feel that he is an ineffective teacher, then you are well within your rights to address these issues with the administration. If the issues go beyond him occasionally faltering at the board, but indeed really are more an issue of truly bad teaching methods, then you and your classmates would be acting in the interest of the school to (respectfully) point this out to his superiors. I would be sure to have concrete and specific examples to cite in your complaint, and the more who officially agree with the complaints, the less likely it will be taken as a few lazy students complaining about challenging coursework, which I know in your case is not true. :D

I think it would be best if I split this discussion into its own topic so that we do not derail the original discussion. :D
It's ok I can't expect the best I am so nervous how this course Will go and that's it.. I will ofcourse gain a lot of knowledge to try study by Myself and much more.. Nothing can be change to try talk about this, I have to try My best of itRegards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
Re: Using expressions like "easy to see" or "it is obvious"

Random Variable said:
Somehow I posted in the wrong thread. (Doh)

I suspect this was because you were composing your reply as I split the topic. :D
 
I'm finding Calculus III so much easier than 2.
 

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