Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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Dr. Medulla
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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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There’s a common joke in academia that November and March are lethal to the health of students’ computers and grandparents. And, right on cue, in the last week I’ve had two separate students tell me a grandparent has died. Damn you, Jesus, for taking the elderly right when so many assignments are due!
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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Dr. Medulla wrote:
29 Nov 2022, 1:39pm
There’s a common joke in academia that November and March are lethal to the health of students’ computers and grandparents. And, right on cue, in the last week I’ve had two separate students tell me a grandparent has died. Damn you, Jesus, for taking the elderly right when so many assignments are due!
I remember my dad died in November. I was taking a few classes at the time and it was obviously a disruption. His obit was in the New York Times so I was able to present that as evidence.

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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revbob wrote:
29 Nov 2022, 1:44pm
Dr. Medulla wrote:
29 Nov 2022, 1:39pm
There’s a common joke in academia that November and March are lethal to the health of students’ computers and grandparents. And, right on cue, in the last week I’ve had two separate students tell me a grandparent has died. Damn you, Jesus, for taking the elderly right when so many assignments are due!
I remember my dad died in November. I was taking a few classes at the time and it was obviously a disruption. His obit was in the New York Times so I was able to present that as evidence.
I’ve never asked for proof of any of that stuff. I can’t be bothered to be a cop.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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More late term predictability, with a sprinkle how old are you anyway? Student emailed to say they can't find their notes on their computer—what should they do for the final exam? Sigh. This is, most likely, just a story because they don't come to class and/or take shitty notes and want me to give them my lecture notes. But if it is true, how is this my problem to solve? I'm not your damned parent. Why were you released from your parents' trophy case before you were ready to venture into the real world? Sigh. I said take the computer to a repair place to see if they can recover the file and/or talk to classmates for a copy of their notes. I can already predict who will be seeking some kind of special consideration for their final grade.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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Dr. Medulla wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 9:45am
More late term predictability, with a sprinkle how old are you anyway? Student emailed to say they can't find their notes on their computer—what should they do for the final exam? Sigh. This is, most likely, just a story because they don't come to class and/or take shitty notes and want me to give them my lecture notes. But if it is true, how is this my problem to solve? I'm not your damned parent. Why were you released from your parents' trophy case before you were ready to venture into the real world? Sigh. I said take the computer to a repair place to see if they can recover the file and/or talk to classmates for a copy of their notes. I can already predict who will be seeking some kind of special consideration for their final grade.
Yeah Im not buying the story either but like your response. I cant imagine someone not sharing their notes unless this person is a complete asshole

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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Dr. Medulla wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 9:45am
More late term predictability, with a sprinkle how old are you anyway? Student emailed to say they can't find their notes on their computer—what should they do for the final exam? Sigh. This is, most likely, just a story because they don't come to class and/or take shitty notes and want me to give them my lecture notes. But if it is true, how is this my problem to solve? I'm not your damned parent. Why were you released from your parents' trophy case before you were ready to venture into the real world? Sigh. I said take the computer to a repair place to see if they can recover the file and/or talk to classmates for a copy of their notes. I can already predict who will be seeking some kind of special consideration for their final grade.
Tell them that if they can't find their notes all the answers to both the exam and life can be found in the lyrics on cut the crap
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a bowl of soup
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a rolling hoop
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a ton of lead
Wiggle - you can raise the dead

Pex Lives!

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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revbob wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 10:08am
Dr. Medulla wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 9:45am
More late term predictability, with a sprinkle how old are you anyway? Student emailed to say they can't find their notes on their computer—what should they do for the final exam? Sigh. This is, most likely, just a story because they don't come to class and/or take shitty notes and want me to give them my lecture notes. But if it is true, how is this my problem to solve? I'm not your damned parent. Why were you released from your parents' trophy case before you were ready to venture into the real world? Sigh. I said take the computer to a repair place to see if they can recover the file and/or talk to classmates for a copy of their notes. I can already predict who will be seeking some kind of special consideration for their final grade.
Yeah Im not buying the story either but like your response. I cant imagine someone not sharing their notes unless this person is a complete asshole
You'd be surprised and disappointed. I've taken pity on students in the past and made a class announcement to see if someone would share their notes for a missed class and zilcho. I even made a point of shaming them afterwards, saying, in effect, a small act that would really help someone out and nobody is willing to make that minimal gesture? Remember that next time you need a small favour. In the last few years, I've been discouraged by how reluctant people are to help someone out like that. It's not a fucking kidney.
Flex wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 10:37am
Tell them that if they can't find their notes all the answers to both the exam and life can be found in the lyrics on cut the crap
Question 2: What are you? Hmmm. Hmmm. A dictator? A dirty punk? One of the Clash? Shit, am I a piranha?
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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Dr. Medulla wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 9:45am
More late term predictability, with a sprinkle how old are you anyway? Student emailed to say they can't find their notes on their computer—what should they do for the final exam? Sigh. This is, most likely, just a story because they don't come to class and/or take shitty notes and want me to give them my lecture notes. But if it is true, how is this my problem to solve? I'm not your damned parent. Why were you released from your parents' trophy case before you were ready to venture into the real world? Sigh. I said take the computer to a repair place to see if they can recover the file and/or talk to classmates for a copy of their notes. I can already predict who will be seeking some kind of special consideration for their final grade.
Hello,

Your response was fine. I would have added something along the lines of "I don't know. What are you going to do?". Our University policy states exams can be re-scheduled for a few things - among them funeral or passing of a family member. I just had a student ask to rescedule her exam as her dog was being put down. It's a family member, she claimed. I'll leave my response to your imagination.

My students are familiar with DWI - Deal With It. I have used this a few times in class.

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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gkbill wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 11:37am
Dr. Medulla wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 9:45am
More late term predictability, with a sprinkle how old are you anyway? Student emailed to say they can't find their notes on their computer—what should they do for the final exam? Sigh. This is, most likely, just a story because they don't come to class and/or take shitty notes and want me to give them my lecture notes. But if it is true, how is this my problem to solve? I'm not your damned parent. Why were you released from your parents' trophy case before you were ready to venture into the real world? Sigh. I said take the computer to a repair place to see if they can recover the file and/or talk to classmates for a copy of their notes. I can already predict who will be seeking some kind of special consideration for their final grade.
Hello,

Your response was fine. I would have added something along the lines of "I don't know. What are you going to do?". Our University policy states exams can be re-scheduled for a few things - among them funeral or passing of a family member. I just had a student ask to rescedule her exam as her dog was being put down. It's a family member, she claimed. I'll leave my response to your imagination.

My students are familiar with DWI - Deal With It. I have used this a few times in class.
As often as I want to be blunt, I fear that it'll come off as snide or dismissive because I've been accused of it in the past (my siblings and I inherited it from our very blunt Dutch mother). So I've worked really hard in the past few decades to hold my tongue and be better about offering possibilities without doing the actual work for them.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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Dr. Medulla wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 11:49am
gkbill wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 11:37am
Dr. Medulla wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 9:45am
More late term predictability, with a sprinkle how old are you anyway? Student emailed to say they can't find their notes on their computer—what should they do for the final exam? Sigh. This is, most likely, just a story because they don't come to class and/or take shitty notes and want me to give them my lecture notes. But if it is true, how is this my problem to solve? I'm not your damned parent. Why were you released from your parents' trophy case before you were ready to venture into the real world? Sigh. I said take the computer to a repair place to see if they can recover the file and/or talk to classmates for a copy of their notes. I can already predict who will be seeking some kind of special consideration for their final grade.
Hello,

Your response was fine. I would have added something along the lines of "I don't know. What are you going to do?". Our University policy states exams can be re-scheduled for a few things - among them funeral or passing of a family member. I just had a student ask to rescedule her exam as her dog was being put down. It's a family member, she claimed. I'll leave my response to your imagination.

My students are familiar with DWI - Deal With It. I have used this a few times in class.
As often as I want to be blunt, I fear that it'll come off as snide or dismissive because I've been accused of it in the past (my siblings and I inherited it from our very blunt Dutch mother). So I've worked really hard in the past few decades to hold my tongue and be better about offering possibilities without doing the actual work for them.
Assuming they're telling the truth (they aren't), everyone has to learn the hard lesson of backing up their data in multiple places. This is their time.
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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Kory wrote:
21 Dec 2022, 3:42pm
Dr. Medulla wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 11:49am
gkbill wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 11:37am
Dr. Medulla wrote:
05 Dec 2022, 9:45am
More late term predictability, with a sprinkle how old are you anyway? Student emailed to say they can't find their notes on their computer—what should they do for the final exam? Sigh. This is, most likely, just a story because they don't come to class and/or take shitty notes and want me to give them my lecture notes. But if it is true, how is this my problem to solve? I'm not your damned parent. Why were you released from your parents' trophy case before you were ready to venture into the real world? Sigh. I said take the computer to a repair place to see if they can recover the file and/or talk to classmates for a copy of their notes. I can already predict who will be seeking some kind of special consideration for their final grade.
Hello,

Your response was fine. I would have added something along the lines of "I don't know. What are you going to do?". Our University policy states exams can be re-scheduled for a few things - among them funeral or passing of a family member. I just had a student ask to rescedule her exam as her dog was being put down. It's a family member, she claimed. I'll leave my response to your imagination.

My students are familiar with DWI - Deal With It. I have used this a few times in class.
As often as I want to be blunt, I fear that it'll come off as snide or dismissive because I've been accused of it in the past (my siblings and I inherited it from our very blunt Dutch mother). So I've worked really hard in the past few decades to hold my tongue and be better about offering possibilities without doing the actual work for them.
Assuming they're telling the truth (they aren't), everyone has to learn the hard lesson of backing up their data in multiple places. This is their time.
That's what colleagues always say—there are all kinds of things learned in courses that aren't on the syllabus (tho I'm going to start putting it in my syllabi alongside my statement that I don't share my lecture notes). My inclination is, in fact and contrary to what I said above, to be a problem-solver and help people find a way out. Part of it is that I know how deeply into debt many of them are going and the idea that they've blown X thousand dollars taking a class from me and flunking doesn't sit well. I mean, if you don't come to class ever, fine, fuck you. But if you're semi-trying and hit a rough patch, my stomach churns.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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I agree with what you just said. Also if you have a problem show some kind of good faith to indicate that you're not relying on someone else to do all the work. This perhaps applies more to what I do ad when a colleague comes to me with a problem.

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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revbob wrote:
21 Dec 2022, 6:48pm
I agree with what you just said. Also if you have a problem show some kind of good faith to indicate that you're not relying on someone else to do all the work. This perhaps applies more to what I do ad when a colleague comes to me with a problem.
Part of my attitude is just me and my belief that we have a responsible to help others, but it's also a reaction to the cynicism of colleagues. When they say that students are lazy and don't care to learn, how much of that is rationalization for themselves being lazy and not wanting to put in the effort to teach? I mean, I know people who complain about students constantly questioning the grades they receive, but I don't think I've had that happen more than three times. I'd like to think it's because I give a shit-ton of feedback, explaining what works and what doesn't, and how to go about improving. If you explain how you arrived at your decision, they're not likely to just complain. They get that I'm not just slapping some random number down. It's about modelling good behaviour. I put in serious effort and will help anyone who seeks it out, but you gotta be there for yourself, too.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

Post by gkbill »

Dr. Medulla wrote:
21 Dec 2022, 6:59pm
revbob wrote:
21 Dec 2022, 6:48pm
I agree with what you just said. Also if you have a problem show some kind of good faith to indicate that you're not relying on someone else to do all the work. This perhaps applies more to what I do ad when a colleague comes to me with a problem.
Part of my attitude is just me and my belief that we have a responsible to help others, but it's also a reaction to the cynicism of colleagues. When they say that students are lazy and don't care to learn, how much of that is rationalization for themselves being lazy and not wanting to put in the effort to teach? I mean, I know people who complain about students constantly questioning the grades they receive, but I don't think I've had that happen more than three times. I'd like to think it's because I give a shit-ton of feedback, explaining what works and what doesn't, and how to go about improving. If you explain how you arrived at your decision, they're not likely to just complain. They get that I'm not just slapping some random number down. It's about modelling good behaviour. I put in serious effort and will help anyone who seeks it out, but you gotta be there for yourself, too.
Hello,

I've paraphrased your last statement as I tell students I will work as hard for them as they do for themselves - I'm an effort-matcher. This is college, afterall. Everyone has the right to fail - some choose to exercise that right. My exams are not full of surprises. If you did well, you knew that leaving the exam. If you did poorly, you knew that as well. I have told classes I don't get paid extra to fail or pass students. I think I hold high standards that are attainable.

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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School

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gkbill wrote:
21 Dec 2022, 7:11pm
Dr. Medulla wrote:
21 Dec 2022, 6:59pm
revbob wrote:
21 Dec 2022, 6:48pm
I agree with what you just said. Also if you have a problem show some kind of good faith to indicate that you're not relying on someone else to do all the work. This perhaps applies more to what I do ad when a colleague comes to me with a problem.
Part of my attitude is just me and my belief that we have a responsible to help others, but it's also a reaction to the cynicism of colleagues. When they say that students are lazy and don't care to learn, how much of that is rationalization for themselves being lazy and not wanting to put in the effort to teach? I mean, I know people who complain about students constantly questioning the grades they receive, but I don't think I've had that happen more than three times. I'd like to think it's because I give a shit-ton of feedback, explaining what works and what doesn't, and how to go about improving. If you explain how you arrived at your decision, they're not likely to just complain. They get that I'm not just slapping some random number down. It's about modelling good behaviour. I put in serious effort and will help anyone who seeks it out, but you gotta be there for yourself, too.
Hello,

I've paraphrased your last statement as I tell students I will work as hard for them as they do for themselves - I'm an effort-matcher. This is college, afterall. Everyone has the right to fail - some choose to exercise that right. My exams are not full of surprises. If you did well, you knew that leaving the exam. If you did poorly, you knew that as well. I have told classes I don't get paid extra to fail or pass students. I think I hold high standards that are attainable.
Generally, I agree. As the old saying in academia goes, you get the grade you deserve. And most students, thankfully, sit in an unambiguous spot for evaluation. But there have been some circumstances where I've held my breath because of odd situations. A couple times I've had students who were dynamos, week in and week out, for seminar discussions. As in, they were unofficial leaders of their classmates and just indispensable for the conversation. But come the term paper, for whatever reason, shit just fell apart. So I've had to hold my breath somewhat because, while they're no longer in A or A+ territory, butchering the term paper and sending them to a B or C+ doesn't seem right to me, even if the math would say so. Students think grading is a science, but it's more of an art, demonstrated when the cold numbers would generate a result that doesn't sit right for the overall assessment. I'll be honest about the quality of their work in the paper, but then explain my rationale for a higher grade than it deserves. I'm transparent about that stuff.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft

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