From my point of view (trying to help students "integrate" into the college culture) a four day week would be a problem. As it is they are going home too often on weekends; a three-day weekend would only exacerbate the tension between home and family drama and immersion into college. If a day with no student distraction is necessary for research (which premise I question) why not have "research" on wednesday and let the entire college community (students included) use this day for such work. Or might this defeat some other reason for classless Fridays?? Call it what you want, schools that have no class on Friday are more open to questioned motives from the "customers" point of view. Class responsibility aside, it's the rare teacher who is bombarded with students who want to see them during office hours- unfortunately
Rick Jagels
College Assistance Migrant Program
-----Original Message-----
From: Teaching Breakfast List on behalf of Bill Proulx
Sent: Mon 11/8/2004 4:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: REGlobalized Teaching Breakfast
Hi Achim and TBers,
My thinking is that having Bill Grau be part of any discussion on scheduling and classroom utilization, at least initially, would help enlighten members of the teaching group about the many issues related to scheduling, teaching patterns, and classroom assignments. Although the TB group is not an administrative forum that shouldn't preclude administrators from contributing to the group in a meaningful and productive way. Before we work to change anything, shouldn't we understand it in its current form. I agree with Achim that this is a timely and important discussion.
On another note: if we want faculty of all ranks to have a day to do research then why do we want students to be here five days a week? When the students are gone I can get to the things I can't when they are here. It seems a M-Th or a T-Fr class schedule would better meets the needs (or wants) of both students and faculty. Just a thought.
Bill Proulx
Chair, Human Ecology
Associate Professor of Nutrition
________________________________
From: Teaching Breakfast List on behalf of Achim Koeddermann
Sent: Mon 11/8/2004 2:52 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: REGlobalized Teaching Breakfast
Dear All
this does not address the problem from the teaching faculty side: I believe (like Bill) that figuratively speaking the boat is NOT full - but the underutilized timeslots are only PART of the problem: getting students to stay here the entire week is another, and giving faculty of all ranks at least one day off for research is another. I believe that in this case, the NEED of students might not coincide with their choice - who doesn't want to sleep in! I believe that this group is not an administrative forum - so Bill would be the wrong person in this circle. HOWEVER, BILL's concerns in this case are mine!
your Achim
"Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind."
Immanuel Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, "Transcendental Logic," Introduction, # 1
Dr. Achim D. Koeddermann
Associate Prof. of Philosophy
SUNY-Oneonta, NY 13820
"Gedanken ohne Inhalt sind leer, Anschauungen ohne Begriffe sind blind"
-----Original Message-----
From: Teaching Breakfast List on behalf of Bill Proulx
Sent: Sun 11/7/2004 11:05 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: REGlobalized Teaching Breakfast
TBers,
The issue of classroom utilization and scheduling was discussed at the
most recent Council of Chairs. Bill Grau was invited to the meeting and
he provided invaluable insights into the scheduling process.
It is apparent the utilization (and availability) of classroom resources
is driven by several factors. The most influential seems to be
"faculty" and student preferences for the 10-2 time slots, especially
T-Th. My guess would be that the preference for these times isn't
driven by teaching needs. I believe Bill said that any class scheduled
before 10 and after 2 could pretty much choose the classroom they
wanted. It was also pointed out that it is impossible to argue
(legitimately) for increased academic space when existing space is
significantly underutilized.
I would suggest that any discussion about class scheduling and classroom
assignments include Bill.
Bill
William R. Proulx, Ph.D., R.D.
Chair and Associate Professor
Department of Human Ecology
SUNY College at Oneonta
Oneonta, New York 13820
607-436-2705
-----Original Message-----
From: Teaching Breakfast List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Achim Koeddermann
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 9:42 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: REGlobalized Teaching Breakfast
Thank's, Bob,
dear all:
what do you think about a debate on teaching times and patterns? With
Fitzelle renovation, the classroom availablility will drive a decision -
but it SHOULD be driven by academic, TEACHING needs (suggstion: find a
way to utlilize the ENTIRE week (5 days) and ENTIRE DAYS (morning
classes before 10)....
your Achim
"Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are
blind."
Immanuel Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, "Transcendental Logic,"
Introduction, # 1
Dr. Achim D. Koeddermann
Associate Prof. of Philosophy
SUNY-Oneonta, NY 13820
"Gedanken ohne Inhalt sind leer, Anschauungen ohne Begriffe sind blind"
-----Original Message-----
From: Teaching Breakfast List on behalf of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Fri 11/5/2004 8:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: REGlobalized Teaching Breakfast
Hi Achim,
Like so many things in the world, Globalization can be both good or bad,
depending on what it means (thanks Janet) and how it is done. If one
sees it as the greater awareness of living in a single world, I believe
it is good (although can still be used in bad ways); if one sees it as
the expansion of McDonalds all over the world, some greater discussion
might take place, but I would see this as bad.
Bob
________________________________
From: Teaching Breakfast List on behalf of Achim Koeddermann
Sent: Thu 11/4/2004 9:57 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: REGlobalized Teaching Breakfast
Dear
intersting topic for a meeting - and I wondered STILL going to my
class: is globalization a GOOD or a BAD thing? What became of the
meeting?
PS: I did't get a chancer: does this group play a role in the Teaching
celebration next week? It should, it has been best in keeping ME
informed
your Achim