I have only had a chance to read the first two readings for this week, the ones concerning one-on-one interaction with students. For the most part, I think much of it was common sense. However, I would like to highlight the idea of not socializing with students after the semester. I think this advice is often overlooked, which could cause a problem later down the road since we hopefully won't teach only EN1000 for the rest of our careers on campus. Students could very easily turn up in a later lit. section.
I also found it interesting that office hours in a coffee house were mentioned again. I never would consider this, but this is the second time such a setting has been addressed. Is it a common practice today? I am rather confused by it. I guess it would make the meeting more casual, but is that what you want when discussing a paper? I would be too distracted myself to give the student's paper the attention it deserves. One other point I have is about the checklists in the Curzan chapter. I am not sure I agree with all of them. I will update this blog again later to be more specific (I left my book at home!).
The other point I found interesting concerned sexual harassment. I am really leery about this possibility ever since I received a pornographic note from a student when teaching high school. The district did not want to deal with it and I did not want to sue the district in order to get a response. So, I wonder how such matters are actually dealt with or if they are at all? I followed what I was told was proper protocol; however, I felt like that was a channel which only sought to conceal the problem and keep it out of the public eye. Any suggestions or concerns?
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2 comments:
That's a really freaky and frustrating situation to be in (re ponorgraphic note). I'm disgusted that a school wouldn't deal with it but I can see that happening. I would hope a university would have it's shit together and would actually follow protocol, but I'd be curious to know whether this has actually happened.
Rebecca,
I've had several classes with professors who offered alternative office hours at coffee shops or even (gasp!) bars. However, all of these classes were upper-level courses, and these coffee shop/bar hours were offered only as alternatives to regularly scheduled hours in good ol' Tate Hall. I found the alternative office hours a much more relaxing environment to discuss the class, an assignment, etc. I don't think it's really appropriate, however, for English 1000. It seems like distraction within the classroom setting is problematic enough! I don't need lattes or green chili beer at Flat Branch to offer more opportunities for the easily distracted (and I would include myself in that group).
Liz
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