2008 Woodie Awards
Professors 'love' for subject matter an issue
Some students feel classroom and teaching methods lack 'enthusiasm'
Brittany Lacey
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: News
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Core courses. Love them or hate them these classes can make or break your college career.
And so can the professors that teach them.
But have you ever experienced a professor who lacked "enthusiasm" in the classroom- a zest for teaching and learning?
Freshmen or senior, student opinions on this question might surprise you.
"I felt that my professor's assignments were never made clear," said Colleen Nassauer, freshmen, Mt. Sinai, N.Y. "When you asked this professor about work that needed to be completed, he would say that the syllabus explained it; but even the syllabus wasn't that clear, and [he] never offered any extra assistance."
Whether taking an intro course, upper level class or an elective, no student should be deterred from wanting to learn and participate due to a professor's attitude.
Students like Lea Sofio, senior, New York City, dropped a class and considered changing her major due to professors attitudes towards subject matter.
"I took classes even as a junior where I had professors who would not stick to the syllabus and cover the necessary material I needed to learn to take the next level class for that subject," said Sofio. "I came to learn, not to listen to professors tangents and to deal with their lack of preparation for class.
"I understand if you make changes to the syllabus, but you just can not throw it out the window all together. When I went to take the part two for a course the following semester, I felt like everything I was supposed to learn, despite doing all my homework and doing well in the class, I was ill prepared for. I felt lost."
Maybe it is a professor's personality, attitude, teaching techniques, or aptitude for subject matter, but no students should have to deal with unprepared professors and vise versa.
"I rely heavily on my professors," said Jackie Sharp, freshman, West Islip, N.Y. "It can be frustrating when I try and get things completed, but my professor doesn't communicate with us in a timely manner about what effectively needs to be done.
And so can the professors that teach them.
But have you ever experienced a professor who lacked "enthusiasm" in the classroom- a zest for teaching and learning?
Freshmen or senior, student opinions on this question might surprise you.
"I felt that my professor's assignments were never made clear," said Colleen Nassauer, freshmen, Mt. Sinai, N.Y. "When you asked this professor about work that needed to be completed, he would say that the syllabus explained it; but even the syllabus wasn't that clear, and [he] never offered any extra assistance."
Whether taking an intro course, upper level class or an elective, no student should be deterred from wanting to learn and participate due to a professor's attitude.
Students like Lea Sofio, senior, New York City, dropped a class and considered changing her major due to professors attitudes towards subject matter.
"I took classes even as a junior where I had professors who would not stick to the syllabus and cover the necessary material I needed to learn to take the next level class for that subject," said Sofio. "I came to learn, not to listen to professors tangents and to deal with their lack of preparation for class.
"I understand if you make changes to the syllabus, but you just can not throw it out the window all together. When I went to take the part two for a course the following semester, I felt like everything I was supposed to learn, despite doing all my homework and doing well in the class, I was ill prepared for. I felt lost."
Maybe it is a professor's personality, attitude, teaching techniques, or aptitude for subject matter, but no students should have to deal with unprepared professors and vise versa.
"I rely heavily on my professors," said Jackie Sharp, freshman, West Islip, N.Y. "It can be frustrating when I try and get things completed, but my professor doesn't communicate with us in a timely manner about what effectively needs to be done.
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