…or maybe i should just get over myself
I, who find the most difficult part of class to be speaking up before a group of (in my imagination) mocking and insolent combatants, expected to find myself rather refreshed and empowered by the non-confrontational system of internet communication. Free from staring eyes and embarrassing blushes that left me filled with self-loathing, I should be free to triumphantly declare all I think and feel with the knowledge that here, at my disposal, is the forgiving backspace key…ready to exonerate even my most horrendous gaffs.
Yet, I am oddly stymied by this requirement. What is the appropriate tone? For whom am I writing and to what end? Should it be a place for me to air larger concerns about the politics of universities and the trials of teaching (both of which I know little about)? Or should it be some combination of forces resulting in a panorama of ponderings and witticisms that creates an entertaining and enlightening window into my brain?
At hour 3 of indecision, I find that the assignment has thoroughly served its purpose in reminding me of the confusion of being required to write in an unfamiliar way. Though I am not quite reliving the humiliation of a freshman in her first writing class, it gives me renewed sympathy for those whom I shall have to teach.
It (along with some of the reading) has also made me reconsider my own gendered reaction to classroom participation and whether it is best to be accommodating to those who feel uncomfortable (as I have often wished my teachers would have done) or to recognize the necessity of such participation since good communication skills and eloquence-on-the-spot are required in most classes. Is it not to encourage an unfortunate tendency to allow such an escape from the realities of a college classroom?
Requiring in-class student participation, though, can easily go too far. One of my many professors who set up entire classes as discussions would contribute very little herself, mock student answers and declare that if we didn’t speak up we should forfeit points (implication: flunk, drop out of college and have a meaningless life). I found it completely ridiculous to threaten students into participating when her brief and perfunctory attempts failed to elicit any conversation…and I probably glowered at her from the back row all semester.
Perhaps blogging, as a supplement to class discussion, is a middle ground, not threatening but not encouraging reclusiveness either. Offering, instead, another mode of communication (and working from it) for students who have difficulty vocalizing in class.
However, to return to my original thought: if the blog is meant to be a non-confrontational ‘safe’ place to develop ideas, how formal should it be, especially if it shall be considered as a component of graded participation? What is the proper tone?
Was this?
If you want edit me? just go to your profile than add description text as many you like. ^_*
January 29th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I’m going to leave the realm of “proper” to someone in authority. I will say something about electronic communication, particularly the static kind that is found in blogs and discussion boards.
Your experience on this blog will be different than what it would be if you tried it in the typical way. On this blog you’re not anonymous, and that makes a HUGE difference. When you don’t know your readers, it’s easier to be bold when you’re naturally shy (and in the process become the person you’re pretending to be). And your idea about being able to write in fits and starts with frequent deleting…is there any other way? Why do you think I love it so much?
My point is that I think blogging and discussion boards are good exercises for anyone who isn’t comfortable with their own voice, written or verbal.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I agree with Allyson about the dynamics of blogging. Messy and wonderful at once.
The futility of your professor’s motivational techniques seems so obvious–one has to wonder if her style was prompted by a severe lack of self-reflection or of burn-out or basic cluelessness. As Dr. Rice indicated on the first day of class, the best way to shut down discussion is with the blanket, “So what do you think?” May I have the insight to hang it all up if I ever reach that low point where I can’t invest enough in my students to provide guidance in their learning. Profitable, engaged discussion only happens when enough participants prepare–it won’t happen when instructors abdicate responsibility and then bludgeon students into participation.
And now I’ve revealed my grasp of the obvious.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Nice entry, very existential. I liked the tone.
Allyson hit the nail on the head with the bit about internet anonymity. You (blog author) knowing the “real” me (blog commenter) is definitely atypical. Surfing the net, you get the feeling people are creating these strange and extreme personas. I guess the post-modernists would say they’re feeling powerless, and want to escape or lash out at the culture. Perfect example is the whole Perez Hilton thing. Weirdness.