llanfair
Village idiot and Very
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 23,199
Whither Canada?
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« Reply #9975 on: November 13, 2009, 07:48:50 PM » |
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And GM, I should be so lucky as to have the honour of using GD's syllabus.
I don't think you teach accounting, but I believe you'd be welcome too! You know, even though he has to use a (mostly) standard form, I do believe he got some of the stuff he uses on it from here. As have I, and I'm continually updating it as the wisdom flows :) |
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« Last Edit: November 13, 2009, 07:49:11 PM by llanfair »
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This place stinks like a pair of armoured trousers after the Hundred Years' War.
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galactic_hedgehog
Procrastinating, Python-quoting, Blue Blazer-drinking, chocolate-chip cookie-eating, Pastafarian, Not So
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 18,564
Mind Ninja
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« Reply #9976 on: November 14, 2009, 12:07:41 PM » |
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This is page 666 of this thread, which more or less sums up student emails and the source of many thereof.
I too noticed that this thread had reached 666, but also that today is Friday the 13th. If only it were 2012, the conspiracy theorists' heads would explode. All right, no more posting here for two years, one month, and 30 days. |
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« Last Edit: November 14, 2009, 12:08:26 PM by galactic_hedgehog »
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Your professors were probably afraid of your galactic genius and did everything they could (behind the scenes) to thwart your hedginess. Hedgie loves to read. |
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scampster
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« Reply #9977 on: November 14, 2009, 12:26:50 PM » |
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The other day, my roommate's black cat stepped on the keyboard as I was IMing a friend and managed to only push "666666666" much to the confusion of my friend.
I don't know if it loses it's evilness when it is repeated more than three times, but it was still weird.
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When you are a scientist your opinions and prejudices become facts. Science is like magic that way!
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mountainguy
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« Reply #9978 on: November 14, 2009, 12:45:41 PM » |
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Dear Prof. MG:
I noticed in the syllabus that it says Thursday's class is canceled. Does this mean that we really don't have to come to class?
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big_giant_head
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« Reply #9979 on: November 14, 2009, 12:46:47 PM » |
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The other day, my roommate's black cat stepped on the keyboard as I was IMing a friend and managed to only push "666666666" much to the confusion of my friend.
I don't know if it loses it's evilness when it is repeated more than three times, but it was still weird.
Actually, I'm pretty sure that means evilness cubed. |
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carthago can haz delenda
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onion
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« Reply #9980 on: November 14, 2009, 12:48:51 PM » |
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Dear Prof. MG:
I noticed in the syllabus that it says Thursday's class is canceled. Does this mean that we really don't have to come to class?
OMG! That is insane. This doesn't even make me laugh (okay, a little bit), but how STUPID does someone have to be to ask that question??? |
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magistra
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« Reply #9981 on: November 14, 2009, 02:46:07 PM » |
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Actually, they're trying to be polite and careful. And please note, this is a student who read the syllabus, always a plus. I think this is the flip of the e-mails that start "I know it says there's no extra credit, but..." or "I'm sick, I can't come to class" when there's no attendance policy. They really don't believe that we mean what we mean. Also, some are still living in High School World, where everyone does get extra credit and of course you always have class, even if it's just to chat with friends while the sub sits at the desk looking bored.
I don't know if it's lack of confidence in us or lack of confidence in themselves.
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First it was Wolfram and Hart, now it's Blackboard. There's not much moral difference, if you ask me. -- Malcha
Grammar is the chocolate in the buttery croissant of life. -- Yellowtractor
Okay, so that was petty. Today, I feel like embracing pettiness. -- Mended Drum
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conjugate
Compulsive punster and insatiable reader, and
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 17,026
Tends to have warped sense of humor
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« Reply #9982 on: November 14, 2009, 02:54:17 PM » |
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Actually, they're trying to be polite and careful. And please note, this is a student who read the syllabus, always a plus. I think this is the flip of the e-mails that start "I know it says there's no extra credit, but..." or "I'm sick, I can't come to class" when there's no attendance policy. They really don't believe that we mean what we mean. Also, some are still living in High School World, where everyone does get extra credit and of course you always have class, even if it's just to chat with friends while the sub sits at the desk looking bored.
I don't know if it's lack of confidence in us or lack of confidence in themselves.
Yes, polite and careful. I have many well-meaning first generation students, and they really don't know a lot about what they've let themselves in for by going to college. This student really is afraid he's or she's misunderstood, that maybe "canceled" means something different in some kind of odd technical-term way, and afraid of looking stupid to her or his teacher. It's taken me a long time to really understand how and why my students are afraid of me, but at long last I think I'm beginning to get it. There's quite a bit of fear—fear of failure, fear of looking stupid, fear of being ridiculed—and it makes our students react unpredictably sometimes. Fear will do that. |
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Unfortunately, I think conjugate gives good advice.
∀ε>0∃δ>0∋|x–a|<δ⇒|ƒ(x)-ƒ(a)|<ε |
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barred_owl
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« Reply #9983 on: November 14, 2009, 02:57:02 PM » |
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Actually, they're trying to be polite and careful. And please note, this is a student who read the syllabus, always a plus. I think this is the flip of the e-mails that start "I know it says there's no extra credit, but..." or "I'm sick, I can't come to class" when there's no attendance policy. They really don't believe that we mean what we mean. Also, some are still living in High School World, where everyone does get extra credit and of course you always have class, even if it's just to chat with friends while the sub sits at the desk looking bored.
I don't know if it's lack of confidence in us or lack of confidence in themselves.
Yes, polite and careful. I have many well-meaning first generation students, and they really don't know a lot about what they've let themselves in for by going to college. This student really is afraid he's or she's misunderstood, that maybe "canceled" means something different in some kind of odd technical-term way, and afraid of looking stupid to her or his teacher. It's taken me a long time to really understand how and why my students are afraid of me, but at long last I think I'm beginning to get it. There's quite a bit of fear—fear of failure, fear of looking stupid, fear of being ridiculed—and it makes our students react unpredictably sometimes. Fear will do that. I agree with both of you. My initial reaction was that the student was like some others who, for whatever reason (probably fear, per conjugate), think there are trick questions on exams, too. |
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...I can't help rooting for the underdog underbird. |
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systeme_d_
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« Reply #9984 on: November 14, 2009, 05:30:45 PM » |
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Ah yes, it's grad program application season again. Hi,
I'm applying to the [department] program for next fall, what all do you require from me?
Apple Can't Well, dear Apple, starting with the university's website, the Graduate School's website, and/or my department's website might have been a good idea. As it is, my reply to you will contain those links. Happy clicking! |
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Systeme_D is right. <rah rah RESEARCH!> |
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arty_
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« Reply #9985 on: November 15, 2009, 02:11:43 PM » |
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This Just in--
Dear Professor Arty,
I will be applying for graduate school soon. I realize it may be somewhat strange to ask you for a letter of recommendation considering I had to take your class twice [student failed the first time], but I feel like I had to re-take [basic studio art class] due to execution, not understanding of the content. I received high A's on all the tests and papers [the non-execution things -- about 10% of the final grade].
Wow.
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ambient
New member
Posts: 22
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« Reply #9986 on: November 15, 2009, 03:01:13 PM » |
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I teach a course that requires students make use of video and image files that I've uploaded to Blackboard. The first such assignment is due this Thursday. I made the files available four weeks ago, opened them during class to show them how to find them and make them work, but stressed that each student should open the files on their own ASAP to ensure they can successfully access the materials. I also stressed that if the files fail to work on their computer (because of software limitations) they will need to use an on-campus computer to download the files. I tested the files on four different computers (both Mac and PC) at home and work--all worked just fine. No big surprise here, but I have now received 12 emails from students who've not even tried to open the files until today. Many have requested meetings with me today (a Sunday) in order to help them. Others have insisted I "must" find time to meet with them on Monday (a day I teach three classes) so they can get the assignment done by Thursday morning. This cut-and-pasted email is typical.
"Hey,
So I just tried to open those files on BB today and they don't work. What's wrong with them???? How am I supposed to finish this homework if the files are broken??? You cant expect us to write up this assignment when the files are defective. I have a break between classes on Monday at 2:15. Can I come by then and have you show me how the work them? Or can I assume you'll extend the deadline cuz the videos dont work? This assignment is worth 25% and im already not doing so hot. If I can't open the video I'll fail the course and that's not fair."
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mended_drum
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« Reply #9987 on: November 15, 2009, 03:08:24 PM » |
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I teach a course that requires students make use of video and image files that I've uploaded to Blackboard. The first such assignment is due this Thursday. I made the files available four weeks ago, opened them during class to show them how to find them and make them work, but stressed that each student should open the files on their own ASAP to ensure they can successfully access the materials. I also stressed that if the files fail to work on their computer (because of software limitations) they will need to use an on-campus computer to download the files. I tested the files on four different computers (both Mac and PC) at home and work--all worked just fine. No big surprise here, but I have now received 12 emails from students who've not even tried to open the files until today. Many have requested meetings with me today (a Sunday) in order to help them. Others have insisted I "must" find time to meet with them on Monday (a day I teach three classes) so they can get the assignment done by Thursday morning. This cut-and-pasted email is typical.
"Hey,
So I just tried to open those files on BB today and they don't work. What's wrong with them???? How am I supposed to finish this homework if the files are broken??? You cant expect us to write up this assignment when the files are defective. I have a break between classes on Monday at 2:15. Can I come by then and have you show me how the work them? Or can I assume you'll extend the deadline cuz the videos dont work? This assignment is worth 25% and im already not doing so hot. If I can't open the video I'll fail the course and that's not fair."
See, when I get this I answer this way: "Student X, I'm unavailable to meet with you on Monday, but I checked and all of the files are working properly. If you're unable to understand how to access them, the help desk's number is xxxx and their hours are XXXXX." Then I drop a quick note to the help desk, telling them that they're going to have a rash of questions and about what. |
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midwestgrad
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« Reply #9988 on: November 15, 2009, 03:23:32 PM » |
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That one's pretty easy.
Dear Dumb Student,
I made the files available four weeks ago and suggested you try downloading them immediately. If you are unable to download them, you will need to do it on a campus computer. If you have trouble downloading the files on a campus computer, I'm available to meet on Tuesday from Time 1 until Time 2. As you have had more than enough time to troubleshoot any problems, there will be no extension.
Regards,
Professor-who-hopefully-will-have-less-students-after-these-dummies-drop
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phlegmatic
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« Reply #9989 on: November 15, 2009, 04:29:06 PM » |
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Even easier!
Four weeks ago I showed you how to use the files in class. I recommended you try to use the files as soon as possible so we could work through any potential problems, rare as they should be as I tested the files on Macs and PCs both on and off campus. It is unfortunate that you waited so long to try to access the files, as I am not available to meet on Monday. I would recommend speaking to IT so you can get these problems resolved sooner rather than later.
I would remind them of everything that you put in your message to us, as that lays out all the reasons there is no extension for buffoonery!
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