Be Careful What You Wish For...Revisted!

I administered my midterm exam not too long ago. And as anticipated, the average score was right what I expected (see my previous post for all the gory details). And also as expected, the emails flowed. Most were from Visitors, or Visitor-wannabees. Some were from people who pretend to attend, but usually slide out of the room the first time I turn my back to the class. Was there going to be extra credit? How many points were left? Was there ANYTHING that could be done to save their grade? Even some of the so-called "good" students joined the fray.  


In short? They wanted more opportunities to get points. Begged for them, in some cases, in order to redeem themselves for their overwhelmingly abysmal performance on the exam. While it meant more work for me, I was generally happy to oblige. 


In the week after the exam--which also happened to be the week after Spring Break--I offered a whopping 60 points worth of assignments, which amounted to almost 2/3rd the value of the exam. The points came in the form of a take home quiz, an in-class assignment, and an online assessment. The first and last options were open book, and the in-class work was a gimme. You did it, you got the points, as there were no right or wrong answers. All told, this opportunity for points was the equivalent of a big loping softball. All people needed to do was stand there and catch it.


Lots of points. Nearly free of charge. Exactly the chance the many people needed to counter the horrorshow that was the midterm exam.


In a perfect world, I would have been the hero. Perhaps even the subject of happy drinking songs all over campus. Hell, a simple "Hey, there, Doc...thanks for throwing us a bone" would have sufficed. I would've even accepted the usual sullen non-response I've grown to expect from this particular crop of students. However, as you may have gleaned from reading this blog over the course of the last few bitter years, I live in a world that is far from perfect.


What did I get instead, you ask?


Angry emails. And LOTS of 'em.


Much like the first batch of emails, the authors and tone was remarkably similar. How DARE I assign work after Spring Break? And three assignments? In one week? That's just not fair.  And from those who MISSED the assignments entirely because they didn't check their email or show up for class? Well to them, I was just plain evil.


In retrospect, I should have guessed there'd be a catch. Students begging for more work? That just doesn't happen in a relatively low level class. It turns out my students wanted points, but they didn't want to work for them.


The next day in class, I mentioned in passing that assignment grades had been posted. A general murmur ran through the crowd. I asked if there were any questions, and  a student raised his hand. He then informed me that he didn't appreciate being punished for not coming to class, and that he thought I should give him the points that he had missed.


Now.


It's takes quite a bit to render me speechless. And there are not many instances where I snap in class. But this did the trick quite effectively.


What seems to be escaping them is that I don't give assignments to be vindictive. This is not the Simpsons, and I'm not going to stand you at the board and make you write "I will not be an entitled lazy bastard!" a thousand times. And I certainly don't give assignments because I'm bored and want to fill my evenings by grading papers. I give assignments because deep down, I want you to learn something. I give assignments because they pay me to teach, and you pay to be taught. I give assignments because this is COLLEGE, and that's how we roll.


But most importantly, in this instance, and the one thing they ALL seemed to forget...


I gave them this work...


...because they ASKED for it.


This is exactly what I told my class. Loudly. And for several minutes.


In retrospect, I feel a little bad. After all, the ones who show up aren't the problem. It's the Visitors that don't remember where the classroom is, but sure are handy with the email that were the main target of my wrath. But my point was made, and word got around. Emails are down and attendance is up. Hell, even the Visitors have come out of hibernation.


The moral of this tale? Be careful what you wish for. You just may get it. But don't bitch to me when you do.


I'm sure I'll still be mentioned over a drink or two. And I'm also sure it won't be in song.