I became a professor after 20+ years as a corporate figure--first as a worker bee and eventually the boss. I think I showed initiative, drive, and independence from the get-go and I think those attributes were the rungs on my ladder of success. As I moved into managerial roles I expected the same of my new hires and existing employees--simply, getting things done without being prodded or beaten-up. If you showed initiative, you got ahead, if you waited until you were told what to do or you needed deadlines to get things done, well, you were not my kind of employee.
I brought that same view here 12 years ago. I think I'm right. The folks who are going to get a job, keep a job, and advance in a career are those who get things done. They go so far as to pull the company rather than being pulled by the company into doing things. Not sure you agree? Look in the help wanted ads or ask your boss about the importance of initiative, being a self-starter, taking responsibility, working independently. I would be very surprised if your boss didn't rate each of these as more important for an employee than specific technical skills. I'll go so far as to tell you I know companies who hire new grads with these attributes and NO specific job skills. It's that important.
So, I manage my classes the way I would manage in corporate. I see you as "employees" and I'm hoping to give you the opportunity to prove yourself. My rationale is that you need the opportunity to practice these attributes I've mentioned. Fail here, if you must, but don't fail on the job. If I continue to TELL you what to do you will miss the opportunity to do things on your own.
But, this is not exactly working. Most of you are behind on using the tech tools and writing your reflections. For the my undergraduate students I found I needed to establish some hard deadlines. I haven't done that with the graduate students, but I am certainly being pushed in that direction. So, in a period of self-reflection I ask "Are my expectations out of whack?"
Some theorists believe we're all lazy and the only way to get us to do things is to bring out a big club. Maybe we're not lazy, just busy? Maybe you're too young or too busy smelling the roses. Maybe we don't know what to do and are afraid to ask? Maybe we don't see WIIFM (What's In IT For ME?). Maybe we don't see the link to being hired, starting salary level, salary increases, and the like. Maybe my easy-going manner confuses my seriousness about my expectations of you and my grades for you. I'm curious--what do you think the explanation is?
I have a little secret--I'm an easy grader. I have another secret--my grades are among the lowest of the 40+ faculty in my department. What gives? Well, when I look back at my grades for past semesters I see a distinct pattern: the low grades were not GIVEN by me, but rather EARNED by the student not handing in assignments! In my view, as your employer, not handing in assignments is akin to refusing to do work assigned to you by your boss. At work it's called insubordination. We don't have a name for it here, but it sure is disheartening--and frustrating--for me. Look, to be perfectly frank with you, I made a ton of money in business. I know what it takes and I know how to get you there. And, I can't imagine that my goals for you are not akin to your goals for you.
So, again, are my expectations out of whack?
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No, I do not think your expectations are out of whack. I enjoy your class tremendously with the laid back atmosphere and hands on approach to business. I must say that your class is much more motivating and interesting than the other graduate course that I am currently taking. I will be the first to admit that because I do not have a due date hanging over my head, I tend to put it on the back-burner. Looking at the calendar, class is going to be over before we know it. I better get to work....
ReplyDeleteI think Desiree touched on a very important point. The lack of deadlines is a sigh of relief for many who have hard due dates hanging over their heads at work and in other courses. It is a practical approach, as you say, to let students exercise attributes that will be demanded of them in the corporate world. It is also a way for students, however, to put some of their work on the back burner when they are overwhelmed with assignments. I wish it weren't so, but it seems the most logical reason. Personally, I have a major project due this semester in another class on Nov 11 that began the first week of classes. Unfortunately, most of my time gets consumed by that project, and after that date I will pour much more energy into other classes. This is an unbalanced approach to my studies though and reflection of poor time management on my behalf. I wish I were capable of juggling multiple commitments a week without breaking a sweat, but that isn't the case. Often the first one to be fumbled is the one that is most likely to escape notice, and I think that directly correlates to those commitments without deadlines.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if you don't offer any flexibility I don't think you will give students room to grow, which I think is a very important (and well-respected) element of your pedagogic approach. Perhaps limiting students to a maximum of two reflections a week will prevent them from dumping all their work into December, while also allowing them to gauge their own workload. And I know it sounds incredibly mean, but if students don't want to do any work in your class, don't respect you, and don't want to show initiative, maybe the best medicine for them is an F. Some people really do need to taste failure before they are motivated to succeed.
I dont think your expectations are out of wack. I think people thinks and acts differently when it comes to do what they are supposed to do. Some people prefer to be "pushed" and told what to do, and others takes their own initiative to ask if they dont know, and do whatever it is to get there.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your way of teaching us how to behave in the business world. I agree that if you show initiative, and be on top of your game, you will become a boss one day, hopefully.
On the other hand, we are all busy with work, school, social life and I think that as long as you show interest and initiative, i think that you show you can handle situations in the real world of business.
I agree what Christopher said above. And, I'll really appreciate Dr. P to introduce those new techs, most of which I never heard before. Lack of deadlines doesn't mean there is no pressure to me. Conversely, those undone works keep haunting me,so I prefer to get the jobs done in advance. On the other hand, there is, though, no deadline, my schedule is more flexible, which allows me to prioritize each assignment and to take time to try out and absorb those new techs. --Jung-Yi
ReplyDeleteCertainly, there are people who do not take advantage of not having deadlines and being able to properly manage their time at their own pace. However, at some point I kind of understand why people fall behind their work, but not totally agree with them. I am the kind of person who is always thinking about what needs to be done for my courses and sometimes I feel like I am going to get crazy because I end up thinking to much about it and I do not have the time I would like to, to seat down and take the time to properly do my work. At the end I try to do the best I can to keep on top of my work.(Sometimes we need to make sacrifices in life, we just have to decide which one is worthy)
ReplyDeleteI have found, within the past year of my life, that drive, ambition, determination, self worth, and pushing for more than average has truly matured me as a student, an employee, and an individual. I have never worked so hard in my life and i must say, as exhausting it is, i am truly happy. Working 45 hours per week, commuting two hours to work and two hours from work, and taking Graduate School classes two nights a week after work leaves very little time, however i have done the best i could to manage my time efficiently and effectively ensuring all of my assignments with school are done to the best of my ability, tests are well studied for, presentations are well prepared, and class participation is always 100%. I must say though, i am not used to not having a deadline. Throughout undergraduate studies and now especially at work, i am always given a deadline. To not have that has allowed me to factor in the tech tools assignments in my free time, where i can take my time to navigate through different systems, test new things out and broaden my networks (through LinkedIn and Facebook). This being said, November flew by and were already into the second week of December and there are a few outstanding tech tools that need to be finished! The last thing i want to do is rush through them, because then i am not learning nor retaining information that i presume to be pretty valuable.
ReplyDeleteBy not putting deadlines on assignments allows the student to sit in the drivers seat to manage their time in a way that works best for them ensuring that the responsibilities and/or assignments given are completed at a high level of intelligence when all is said and done. In doing this, the student can use his/her discretion on what works best for them. Some people truly work better under pressure, others need to have things done and over with the second they are assigned. Everyone walks to their own beats. Judgment day is less than a week away. I agree with Desiree, i have to get back to work!!
Just read Dr. P's blog and everyone's responses. I don't believe Dr. P's expectation is out of wack. Having been in the business environment, I totally understand where he's coming from. However, life was never meant to be easy, and when with additional work comes additional pressures that we need to deal with as individuals. So, it's how well we can deal with these additional pressures that will help us at the end. I am a new student to the graduate program, and I intend to do my best to deal with the upcoming pressures. But please wish me luck :)
ReplyDeleteI find your expectations to the most beneficial approach. Although it is harder for me to stay on top of things when there is no deadline, I think it will be tremendously beneficial that all assignments can be done thoroughly due to adequate time. Also, this will provide students with time management skills and reduce procrastination. I also like the fact that you provide students with a suggestive to do list in order to guide us according to your expectations. However, I would like a slightly more concrete grading system. I feel as though grades are subjective and am not a fan of students providing grades for other students because with such an eclectic group of people is nearly impossible to meet everyone's different expectations for projects.
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