Prof Problem... What Would You Do?

[carmenchristi]

I have this class, harmony and counterpoint, but for these purposes it suffices to say that it's the musical equivalent of math. Then I have this professor who doesn't know how to teach. I have been dooming very poorly all year so I am now getting help from a more advanced student. After 2 lessons, the quality of my work went waaayyyy up, and the prof even commented that since such and such a date (the time when I, unbeknownst to him, stared seeking help) he notices a distinct change. Now the question is, do I just shut up and let him think he's such a great teacher as to save me from the academic pit? Do I try to explain that this other person helped me with such and such a system and he should try to make his lessons more systematic? Do I kindly and informally mention it to the head of department? All of his students are struggling and the ones that are doing well are the ones who seek help elsewhere. I don't to cause problems, but it seems unfair that other students should have to take the time to teach their companions (out of generosity, because no one asks to be paid) when there is a professor who is paid to do so. Also, the lessons are individual, and so are the extra help sessions.... Therefore very time consuming for all involved. Any ideas?

[Spem in alium]

A few good choices there. I'd definitely mention it to someone, and if you know a few others in a similar situation it would probably help to have them with you.

[Groo the Wanderer]

Had a prof who didnt do their job when I was getting my B.S. Graded with boilerplate feedback, pretended to not understand our objections, ended classes early when we asked too many questions. We complained to the dean.  She was replaced the following week and all our work for the semester was regraded properly.

[CatherineM]

I once had an organic chemistry prof who spoke no English. Not a single word. We kind of taught each other. Luckily we didn't blow the lab up. Tell him you had a tutor. Lots of students need them.

[Basilisa Marie]

In college, plenty of students get tutors for subjects they don't do well in for whatever reason.  I tutored people in theology, and had a friend tutor me in philosophy. 

 

You're not going to get the professor to change his teaching style.  So tell him you have a tutor, there's no shame in that, and then at the end of the year when you get the course evaluations say that you didn't respond well to his teaching style and had to get a tutor.  

Edited February 7, 2013 by Basilisa Marie

[eagle_eye222001]

Many people actually learn from others when the teacher fails. :secret:

 

Are you not learning the material?  In the end, that is what matters.

[franciscanheart]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!


Ehem.




You might mention to the professor (IF IT COMES UP AGAIN) that you sought some extra help. You do not need to tell him how to teach, OR go above his head about his teaching style. Believe me: he's been reviewed by the higher ups.


Good luck. :like:

[sixpence]

Yeh I think if it comes up again, mention that you were having trouble, but that another student explained it better.

I would certainly not criticize his teaching in front of other students or try to start an uprising lol

[missionseeker]

I love counterpoint. :love: 

 

 

But I would just mention to him that you got a tutor. It's really not a big deal. Sometimes professors are super smart but just don't know how to teach.

[Nihil Obstat]

If it were me, I would just keep my head down and focus on getting through it. No reason to hide the tutoring if you are asked again, but it is not necessary to go out of your way to bring it up.

[OnlySunshine]

I actually had a problem similar to yours last semester.  One of my distance learning professors wasn't answering emails or phone calls and I (and other students) were having major problems with the homework.  Towards the end of the semester, I finally decided to contact the higher ups and let them know what was going on.  One of them was helpful but the department head never got back to me.  I figured they did something but weren't able to tell me because of confidentiality.  Now, ironically, I had to take the same professor again this semester because they were the only one teaching a course that I need for my major.  :twitch:  The professor got a little better but they are still not answering emails as quickly as they should for a distance learning course.

[carmenchristi]

Thanks for the input all.... One thing I forgot to mention... I'm stuck with this prof for my whole academic career, not just one semester. That means 4 more years. And it's a major material 12ects (something like credits) a year where most materials are 6. I have asked to change and was told no.... Too many students have asked the same thing. I'm thinking that its ok to seek special help for a semester, or a year, or even two years..... But if I (and most of my other classmates) need tutoring for 4-5 years....... Mmmmm. I'm still unsure. If I say something though it could make matters worse when it comes time that e has to evaluate me.

Btw, my school is not normal. We don't have class evaluation surveys :(

We have a new dean who may be more sensitive to student input than the last.... But like I said my greatest fear is that my name gets back to the prof and then he is offended and takes it out on my grades.....

[franciscanheart]

If you're really that concerned, talk to your professor about your struggles. Going over someone's head (especially a professor's) without giving them a chance to correct the matter or help you figure out a better solution, is downright disrespectful (and, to me, a bit prideful).

You may not like the answer he gives, but you can't go behind his back and think things are going to work out swimmingly. Give him a chance. DO NOT THREATEN WITH HIGHER UPS WHEN YOU APPROACH HIM. Be fair, be willing to do the work (even if it means being tutored for four years) and trust that you aren't the only one in the world who has to deal with similar situations.

[OnlySunshine]

Thanks for the input all.... One thing I forgot to mention... I'm stuck with this prof for my whole academic career, not just one semester. That means 4 more years. And it's a major material 12ects (something like credits) a year where most materials are 6. I have asked to change and was told no.... Too many students have asked the same thing. I'm thinking that its ok to seek special help for a semester, or a year, or even two years..... But if I (and most of my other classmates) need tutoring for 4-5 years....... Mmmmm. I'm still unsure. If I say something though it could make matters worse when it comes time that e has to evaluate me.

Btw, my school is not normal. We don't have class evaluation surveys :(

We have a new dean who may be more sensitive to student input than the last.... But like I said my greatest fear is that my name gets back to the prof and then he is offended and takes it out on my grades.....

 

With my professor, I made several attempts to resolve the situation before asking the dean to do something.  It seemed the professor was unwilling to cooperate to help us learn.  I asked my mom what I should do because I was worried about the same thing you are -- that my name would get back to the professor and my grades would be affected.  However, in all my correspondence with the dean and the other department heads, I made it clear that I wanted to remain anonymous.  I ended up with an "A" in the class and I have an "A" in my class this semester so far with the same professor.  It should also be said that I went to Confession after the last class because I was worried I was being prideful.  The priest assured me that I did what I needed to do in a professional manner.  :)

 

If you do decide to talk to the dean, make it clear to him/her that you want to remain anonymous.  Due to confidentiality, they are unable to breech a student's trust.  If they do, they can be sued.

Edited February 7, 2013 by MaterMisericordiae

[Nihil Obstat]

At the end of the day, some professors are just really bad at teaching, or worse, are just really nasty people. :P And sometimes they have reached a point in their careers where they are essentially untouchable. I have had one professor like that before, for statistics. Awful person. No respect for students, mocked students during and outside of class, actively looked for reasons to fail people, etc.. Nothing really to do about it, because he has tenure and he does some pretty cutting-edge work in statistics. So I just dealt with him and then reminded myself never to take another one of his courses again.