Students and Student Wishes

Student upset because they don't like the teacher nor their failing grade.

Student: I don't understand! I did everything you said and I still failed. When I took the other writing class, I never had a problem?
Prof: what did you get in the last class.
Student: I got a B!
Prof: Ok, well, have you gone to the writing studio like I recommended?
Student: When, I'm taking six classes.
Prof: So that's roughly 8 classroom hours. What about your other time?
Student: I don't have time for this. I wish I had taken my other teacher.
Prof: Well, at the rate you are going, your wish will be granted when you retake the course next semester.

I deserve better than an F!

Prof:
"Thank you for your attempt at trying to re-write the paper. I am noticing some major flaws still in the writing. It looks as though we are experiencing issues in paragraph formation. I want you to make an appointment with the writing studio so that you can really learn how to build solid paragraphs. At present, I cannot pass the paper because of its readability.

Grade 50"

Student Reaction:
"I did everything you asked for and it still not good enough for you. I do not understand. I see the makes I made. My mistakes were not worth a 50 on my paper. I deserved a better grade than F."

The American Revolution

Prof: Now what was the year of the American revolution?
Student: 1775
Prof: It was 1776! You learn that in a basic high school civics class.
Outside Prof: (walking by) Try kindergarden!

I got swag!

In a journalism class am overly confident student thinks the professor has paid him a compliment in HipHop jargon.
Student 1: Look at that Clint, the teacher says I got swag with an exclamation point.
Unimpressed his friend looks at the paper and gives it back.
Student 2: That says slug dummy.

The Power of Student Prayer

Running late to class one day, Dr. X goes to his classroom to hear his students clambering to start the class role. If Dr. X doesn't arrive within 15 mins of the start of class, they get to leave.
Student 1: Come on man hurry up with that role.
Student 2: How much time he got left?
Student 3: Two minutes!
Student 4: Oh thank you Jesus! Thank you Jesus!
Dr. X: I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank God I got here! I appreciate you all praying for my safe arrival!
Students groan...

The No Text Book Blues: It's Michael Jordan's Fault

It's the middle of the semester and student has every pair of Air Jordans but no text book.
Prof: I couldn't help but notice your shoe game, that's pretty tight.
Student: Yea, I know right! These are the Play Offs; I'm getting Space Jams tomorrow.
Prof: Yet, you're earning an F today with great success.
Student: How, I'm doing the work?
Prof: And you're doing it wrong, if you're doing it all. I never see you coming into the class with the books, which are required. But I see you coming into class with a pair of $200.00 sneakers every week. If you can buy shoes like that you can certainly buy the book?
Student: My brother bought these for me. My mom bought me a pair. And my boyfriend got me these.
Prof: Ok, I get that.. Why don't you ask them to buy your books?

Needless to say a new pair of Jordans came into class the next week.

The No Text Book Blues

Prof gets a phone call from a student during an open book online midterm:
Student: Dr. X I got a problem
Prof: what's going on?
Student: Your questions on the midterm.
Prof: it's an open book test that's online.
Student: We talked about this, you know I don't have the book.
Prof: what about the class readings you could have downloaded.
Student: those things are hard to read.
Prof: Well, that's why we have class meetings. What else can I do to help?
Student: You know I've been out of class.
Prof: Well, you got one answer correct.
Student: What's that?
Prof: You, certainly DO have a problem..

Plagiarism

Prof: I'm just going to be honest, I ran your paragraph through Google and word for word, what you wrote appeared on the screen. You didn't give any credit, that's called plagiarism.
Student: Your syllabus doesn't say anything about that, it just talks about cheating.

Essay Answers

Prof: Part of your test will be essay answers.
Student: So we need 140 characters, right?

TRM Podcast

Day 8: We Have The Technology

Today is Sunday August 3. I have been busy reading, writing, dictating and soon going back to the library to obtain studies which I can start to memorize and pick apart in preparation for my exam scheduled sometime in September. The one thing I have a problem with is sitting down and just writing and reading. Somtimes I lack motivation, however being that I view this as do or die time, I simply must do everything I can do to hedge my bets if you will. Last week I contacted one of my former professors and inquired as to if he would be writing one of my exam questions. He was shocked (pleasantly I take it) to hear from me. That said he simply did not know if he was or was not so he voulentered to contact the department chair to ask on my behalf. He called and left a v-message stating that we were all in a holding pattern because no committee has been formed yet and I present a somewhat unusual case. I took two independent studies and one course off campus in another program which could roll into my program of study. Looking at the courses I have which complete my specialization, I have 1) Critical Race Theory, 2) Whiteness Studies (CRT II), 3) Gender Sex and the Body (at Georgetown), 4) Popular Culture, 5) International Communications and a 6) Readings Course in Mass Communication Media Studies. -- When he said this, needless to say I started linking conspiracy theory together which unequivically is not a good idea. So, I did a little retail therapy. In helping me prepare for these exams (now know as the GRAND INQUISITION) I purchased a micro audio recorder which could upload my audio files as MP3 files. I also purchased a copy of Dragon Speak so that I could dictate my answers and or transcirbe my answers into my computer and compare them with the actual published research. This, I am hopping will allow me instant feedback and self coaching which allow me to boost my confidence.
Sections I have been going over recently include-- Basic Research Methodology and Critical Theory. With a bulk of the questions now in my possession, I really should have no excuse but to sit my tail down and knock this project out. Looking at a bloggers site they had a quote from the Bible which talked about positive speech.
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
I read this as I chant Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō

Day 2 : This Can Be Done

Today I am feeling a bit better at the same time a bit of healthy agitation. Yesterday my department chair actually responded to an email regarding my comp test and this morning finally sent the study guide. Seeing the previous questions releived a bit of my tension and let me know that I was headed in a bit of the right direction. Later today, after I go for my run, I am going back to visit my answer I submitted yesterday and get the independent and dependent variables down cold. -- More to come after my run and study session.

Phd Comps Study Session Day 1

This is going to sound kinda crazy but I got the idea while looking at others who are in the same boat... Its almost like there needs to be a PhD. student support group called Doctoral Students Anonymous. Here is my contribution. Lately I have noticed I have been doing a lot of blogging. Then I put it together-- what better way to review than to blog about my study sessions.. Hence Day 1

Today I am working in the basic area of research methods. Being that I am planning on using mixed methods in my dissertation, i feel it is a good idea to really review this so that I can talk intelligently about it in my methods section and there is a high probability that I will need to draft a research design.
Lets start:
Mixed methods design represents a research strategy in which one type of data is complemented by another. Oftentimes according to Creswell and Clark, this involves quantitative being backed up with qualitative data. Quantitiave data explores correlations, frequencies and or trends with certain populations. Additionally a quantitative study examines the cause/effect relationship of one variable against another (the independent variable X as it relates to the depenent variable Y). For example, if we were looking at student attitudes about gender bias in relationship to university campus newspaper press coverage, a study to collect this data would independent variable, campus press coverage and the dependent variable student attitudes. From there I would need to I would need to formulate my research questions.
RQ1 What effect does campus press coverage have on gender perception within my population?
Rq2 Does campus press coverage promote a gender bias within my population?

From here I would need to design a data collection strategy and in this case I would opt for a survey methodology that would allow me to collect basic frequencies. The sample size would have to be enough to gain statistical significance. Once the numbers are collected, I have skeletal information answer my research questions from a stand point of statistical signifigance. However, this information could be argued as being somewhat skeletal. It tells the reader where numbers fall but it fails to inform the reader of the narrative of its respondents. To cross validate this data, with particular emphasis to an conceptual definition of gender bias and gender perceptions, the respondents experiences could possibly confirm the statistical outcomes. Data collection in this manner could consist of focus group data collection or in depth interviews. Of the two, I would opt for the focus group data collection method for the fact that it allows for multiple batches of data to be collected in a more expedient manner.
PAUSE...

This is where I will check my work and of course engage in more reading so that my answer can be more concise.. I will additionally consult w- fellow students and recent grads to obtain their opinion...
Checking in soon