Oh wait. I'm sorry. I must have drifted off and been dreaming again...
While it is a new semester, and the students have indeed returned, I have yet to see the student I dream about. At least, I have yet to see more than one or two of them per class. What I'm more likely to encounter is a string of Visitors and a collection of Barbies and Kens, stumbling their way from class to class. Most of the knowledge gained is accidental, and happens despite their best efforts to the contrary.
Don't get me wrong. I am always hopeful for the students, and I do have some that stand out. But it's now six weeks into the Fall semester, and things are beginning to go downhill fast. If you've been following this humble string of rants and raves, you know what my thoughts are on the engagement level of the student population. But now what I'm seeing is a trend toward the frightening, as things are getting worse.
Take, for example, the student who came up to me after class the other day. As we are nearing the midterm, I had spent a significant amount of time in class talking about the importance of reading the textbook. After class, this student wanted to know if it was necessary to purchase the textbook. At first I thought she was kidding. When I realized she was serious, all I could do was shake my head.
Call me crazy, but when I was a student, I never questioned the word "required" when it came to things like reading, attendance, or--oh, I don't know--purchasing a textbook. Today, however, all bets are off.
I'm trying to think positive. I really am. And in my own defense, I actually made it to week six before I started to fall off the optimism wagon. But I do have hope, despite the stink of apathy in the air, because as I've stated time and again on this very blog, I really do love my job. It may be tough love at times, but I'm okay with that.
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| At least they're learning something... |
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