Registration 2006
There is one question I sometimes get from students that are considering taking my class that I don't know how to answer: "Is your class hard?" (Or, "Is it easy?") My initial reaction is to always say that it is a hard class. I don't want a room full of kids whining about how hard it is to do the work. If you're looking for an easy class, go somewhere else. Better yet, change your attitude about what you are in school for. If all you ever do is what you've done before -- what you're already good at, you're not learning.
My class is challenging and the students that rise to meet the challenge know that they have accomplished something. But the fact is, some students find my classes to be easy and others feel hopelessly overwhelmed. I think that's true for any subject. The types of students that tend to do well in my classes are usually, but not always, good in math. They are usually visual learners and the ability to visualize is an important skill. Like any skill, it comes more naturally to some people than others, but it can be learned.
On the other hand, all the elective areas are fighting harder than ever to get enough students to fill our classes. I don't want to turn away a potential student. And I work hard to make the material as accessible as I can. Instructions are usually presented orally along with computer presentations that students can review as often as they need. I invite students to come in early or stay late if they need additional help. I know that some students won't finish everything during regular class time and most students don't have the tools or materials to complete the work at home.
Teaching is hard. I don't think I'd still be doing this if it were easy. Think about that when you're choosing your classes.
Technorati tags: Registration 2006~blog~education~sensations
My class is challenging and the students that rise to meet the challenge know that they have accomplished something. But the fact is, some students find my classes to be easy and others feel hopelessly overwhelmed. I think that's true for any subject. The types of students that tend to do well in my classes are usually, but not always, good in math. They are usually visual learners and the ability to visualize is an important skill. Like any skill, it comes more naturally to some people than others, but it can be learned.
On the other hand, all the elective areas are fighting harder than ever to get enough students to fill our classes. I don't want to turn away a potential student. And I work hard to make the material as accessible as I can. Instructions are usually presented orally along with computer presentations that students can review as often as they need. I invite students to come in early or stay late if they need additional help. I know that some students won't finish everything during regular class time and most students don't have the tools or materials to complete the work at home.
Teaching is hard. I don't think I'd still be doing this if it were easy. Think about that when you're choosing your classes.
Technorati tags: Registration 2006~blog~education~sensations
1 Comments:
Good point. But I do have one question:
Is your class hard?
(Just kidding.)
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