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Show page 8 lessons, fail 2001 really enjoyed learning." Students who actively take the responsibility to attend class and participate will always get more return on their investments. Nelson's attendance is not the only thing that magnified her education. She said she actively ------------------------ participated in class because the professor encouraged personal opinions and offered interesting conversational topics. When the professor urges participation, the students gain more. Other students do not jump in as eagerly as Nelson, however. Timidity and competition may hinder enthusiastic participation. "I did not understand the material enough to discuss it," said Casey Wilson, a mass communication ________________ major. "For every question 10 hands would go up," said Jeff Thomas, a senior in public relations. When students prepare for class and have an aggressive edge, they are more willing to participate. Of course, students pay thousands of dollars and invest endless hours to get that precious college degree. But does education depend solely on the attitude of the student? What about the attitude of the professor? Imagine if my psychology professor had come to class every day and just fallen asleep on his desk. When a professor isn't prepared, the students don't benefit. Basically, students and professors should give and take equally. "I show respect for my professors and I feel that they should do the same for me," Greene said. He related two very different experiences in large-scale classes. "I took a class where the professor was very unorganized in his lectures. He could not answer questions and it hindered my participation. On the other hand, I had a physics professor that would go sit by the students before class and get to know them. So it is not impossible to have a class of 250 students suddenly become small. The professor made it that way himself. That is respect for the students." Students express appreciation to professors who take the time to talk to them as individuals. Students express appreciation to professors who take the time to talk to them as individuals. "If the professor knows me and realizes I am in school to learn and that I take it seriously, I think it affects my grade," commented ------------------- Tina Waters, a senior. Most students claim to score higher in a class when they know the professor personally. Lori Miner, a senior majoring in business, said that she enjoyed classes most when professors made the class "applicable to the functions of the student when he or she graduates." My psychology class aside, I do have a good attitude about school and I notice that the more a class pertains to my future, the more seriously I take it. For example, a professor should teach a marketing student to market a product, not repeat learned definitions. Students want to leave the University with competitive skills and a quality college education, and professors are partly responsible for that. "I would honestly say that my study habits have declined over the years in college," Miner says. "Often I feel like the professor cares more about the functions of the class rather than the learning." Miner suggests professors offer "real-life examples and situations." And perhaps they should deviate from the normal structure of the class lecture and incorporate group activities that require thought and honest intent from the students. Now, much like Pavlov's dog, I react immediately at the mere mention of Psychology 1010. The reaction is not only one of scorn for the class but it also acts as a subtle reminder that my education depends on my attitude. Most students feel that they are responsible for half of their grade and the professor is responsible for the other half. In other words, the student must match the effort and attitude that the professor puts forth, and vice versa. Attitude is everything, and both students and professors must meet each other in the middle. Some students feel they are not missed in a large class and choose to download notes off the Internet. |
