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[mended_drum]

This e-mail message came from a student in my 10:30 class; it was sent at 10:45.

"dear dr. grinnellns--i'm kinda not in class right now.  where are u?  can i come turn in my paper?"

[science_expat]

I wouldn't have sent an email but I remember one memorable instance when a paper was due in a class that met at 11 AM.

I had it completed and was hanging out in my department's coffee room pre-class when the secretary arrived in a mad panic - we had a student who had returned from an interview but was stranded at the local airport as she had no money. Would someone grab a department vehicle and collect her?

I volunteered, drove like hell, and landed in class - paper in hand - about 2 minutes before it ended. The prof accepted my assignment without argument and I think I got an A. What a good guy...

[magistra]

You have department vehicles?  Which department is this, and can I join?

[gennimom]

You have department vehicles?  Which department is this, and can I join?

We have 3 vans. I'm not sure we have any openings though. ;)

[science_expat]

That was from my undergraduate days.

But, yes, I'm again in a place that has department(al) vehicles. Fairly standard in field sciences, I think.

[mended_drum]

A vehicle, however nice, would not have explained to my student that I was in the classroom that he was supposed to be in (and where he has been all semester) or that, since it doesn't have a computer, I couldn't answer his e-mail to tell him where to go.

[galactic_hedgehog]

That was from my undergraduate days.

But, yes, I'm again in a place that has department(al) vehicles. Fairly standard in field sciences, I think.

I remember using one of the department pickups to move when I was in college.  The dept building manager was a good guy who'd give you the keys if you asked nicely.

[gourmetless]

I couldn't answer his e-mail to tell him where to go.

But, I am sure you had a few suggestions.

[rowan1]

"Hi Prof!

So if I look at the glossary of terms and that extra stuff about art periods I will be fine for the midterm right?"



Actually, you would be fine for the midterm if you had regularly come to class and taken notes during the lecture and then studied those notes, provided your brain actually absorbs information in any way, which I doubt.

As I said in class, there is no text book, the posted glossary helps with definitions but all terms and themes were expanded on in lecture.  We discussed this at the begining of the term and periodically during the term, like those moments in lecture when I say dramatically "You should really understand this concept/term/distinction because it will be on the test."

You will not be fine for the midterm.  Turst me

>Oh! that we could actually respond in such a way!<

[octoprof]

This just in:

Hi i was wondering if you could possibly put the solutions to the practice
test you gave us i know you posted the answers but i wanted to see the steps
of how to work them so i can see what im doing wrong since we didnt get a
chance to work through them in class!!!!! That would be of great help.

Thank You,

Melanie Smith


Context: This is a 300 level accounting course. They are mostly second semester juniors or later.  I gave a practice exam in class and provided answers to it. I did not solve all the problems in class, but worked more homework problems on the same topics (they'd already previously worked homework on these topics). I was going for the maximum amount of reinforcement in the time available.

She is not asking for the answers to the practice test (I gave those in class and on the website), but solutions showing the detail of how to work each problem, I presume like the solutions in the "solutions manual."  These problems didn't come out of a manual, I made them up. I want them to learn how to work them (I've worked at least two examples of each type in class by now, sometimes three or four), which does require a bit of effort on their part.

Here is my response.  What do you think?


Melanie,

The answers to the practice exam are on the website. There are no handy "solutions" files for these practice exams, which I have created just for your class.

You should be able to work through each problem (they are all similar to homework problems you have already worked).  This is the purpose of the practice exam: For you to get practice. 

If you can't work through a particular problem, then go back and look at the similar problems you have worked in your homework (and we have gone over in class).  This is a form of studying.  Additionally, you might want to review the related section of the textbook, yet another way to study.

Since you also have the answers to look at, that should help you figure out any mistakes that you haven't yet figured out by going back to your homework notes or using the textbook.  This is also a form of studying.

I'm not at all trying to be sarcastic in my response, but rather I'm trying to help you learn how to study.  Using a variety of study methods and problem solving methods will help you learn the material better (in this class as well as others).  In fact, I might post these suggestions on the website for the whole class.

If you get stuck on any, after trying both to work them and also to solve them using the answers if you can't work them, you are welcome to email me with specific questions or drop by the office and we'll work one together.

Dr. O.

[grasshopper]

Wait. You have a student who wants to learn the material? Not just get the right answer and make good marks, but actually learn? And she isn't even asking you to teach her individually during your office hours?

Sounds dreamy.

I would just check to make sure that she'd actually tried to figure out what she had done wrong first. If she hadn't, and is asking for a shortcut, then your email is totally justified. But if she had tried to figure it out, and is really stuck, then you'll probably feel like a heel.

[octoprof]

Wait. You have a student who wants to learn the material? Not just get the right answer and make good marks, but actually learn? And she isn't even asking you to teach her individually during your office hours?

Sounds dreamy.

I would just check to make sure that she'd actually tried to figure out what she had done wrong first. If she hadn't, and is asking for a shortcut, then your email is totally justified. But if she had tried to figure it out, and is really stuck, then you'll probably feel like a heel.

Ah, but if she's really stuck, I asked her to email me with a specific question or come to see me.  Seems reasonable to me... maybe I'm unreasonable?

I do not have "solutions" to post for this practice exam, unless she expects me to scan my handwritten chicken scratch and post that?  The answers are already posted.  These questions are just like homework problems they've worked and I've solved in class. Just like them. Just new numbers.  I don't think I can make it any easier and still get them to learn anything.  I do not want students memorizing the format of the answers, but actually learning to solve the problems.

[katherineparr]

You need not give her the material she requested, but I *do* think your response is a little pointed. The line about "I'm not trying to be sarcastic" suggests that you know this, too.

How about something similar, but more positive?

"Dear Melanie,
         Thanks for your email. It's great that you're working these problems again to improve your comprehension. Unfortunately, I make up the test problems specifically for your class, so there is no "solutions file." Thus, I can't send you something to help make the studying easier. The homework problems we discussed in class closely track these concepts, though, and I suggest you use them as templates for re-working the exam problems.
          The kind of work you sound like you're doing is exactly what you need to do to succeed in this class. The more you re-work these problems, the clearer the process will become. That's the whole idea of the practice quizzes and homework, and I'm pleased that you're using them so fully.
          Happy studying,
          Professor Sunshine"

[science_expat]

Hi, I am wondering have the marks for the the piece of coursework you set in ... been given out? This was "....."
Regards,
Fairly clued in student

I figure a good example now and again is refreshing.

[not_a_gradstudent1]

Today's winner (so far):

Hey,
I am really sick and cannot make it to class today, I just want to make sure that I am not missing anything worth points.