Pedagogical Minute   

A Weekly Service of the College of Arts & Sciences

Ask For It

This week’s PM comes from Ed Rogers, of the Department of English and Linguistics

 We have all had the fortunate experience where the collection of personalities we call a class, the subject matter and our teaching style all seem to click. It’s great when it happens and sad when it doesn’t.  We take the bad ones in stride, struggle on and do our best. We thank the gods for the good ones.

 But I have come to realize that there really is no magic involved, no providence. I was letting the class set its own tone (for good or ill):

  First, by failing to understand what actual qualities form that fortunate group. Why was discussion spontaneous and lively, the collective sense of humor so sharp? Why was the group so relaxed with each other? Why do they like to come to this class?  I worked to understand  the dynamic of the “exceptional” class. What’s going on when the going is good? You can’t ask for it until you know what it is.

Second, by not asking for it, by not explaining in detail to the class the kind of classroom atmosphere I wanted. I left it to luck.

So I came to know what I wanted and asked every class to help me create this certain classroom climate. I admit to them that I can’t do this by myself, but, if they agree that the environment I describe would be one they would enjoy, we can certainly make it happen together. I ask for that commitment. They look at each other and relax. I relax. It usually works. 

Now, I realize there is a complete absence of detail here; I wouldn’t presume to know what any other instructor would characterize as the Perfect Class. I suspect we might have very different ideas about that. But if you don’t know what it is you can’t ask for it. And if you don’t ask it might not happen.