I came to the class with excitement. New professor, new friends, a semester full of challenges is ahead... The course syllabus seems interesting. The first half class session happened the same as other first day class: getting to know each other, going over the syllabus. Then we have to decide whether we want to go with the group grade or individual grade... I did not not understand what it meant at first because I did not expect to hear such kind of evaluation... As Tagg stated in his book, like other students, I set my expectations for this class based on the totality of my previous experience. I have been familiar with group work but have never heard about group grade. Why group grade? One of the classmates questioned whether group grade really makes us more cooperative, closer, work more effectively. The other pointed out that weak students could make the group grade lower... Others believe in trust and cooperation... I had bad experience with group work before since each person has his/her own style of working, different schedule.... Working in group, exchanging ideas and learning from each other is great but it is also time consuming. And time is what I need. It was really panic... Finally we had a blank vote. The majority said yes, not many said no... and we came up with the majority and we have to live with our decision throughout this semester!
I wonder if other classmates have the same feelings like me: panic? nervous? I wonder if it is an experiment to prove that grade is not everything. What is really important is learning, like Tagg addressed in his book. And whether the instructor wants us to change our belief about schooling, about the purpose of education. If it is a case, I am excited to see if we could change our belief after taking this course. But, before we can change any dysfunctional belief about academic work, first we still have to deal with grade and do our best in order not to let others down because of any of us. This thought makes me feel nervous, and uncomfortable since if I learn and do the job by myself, I am responsible for what I am. Now I have to be responsible for other classmates... I know what my strengths and weaknesses and I am sure that I will not let them down. This is a new adventure, I think! And all of us seems to be taking a risk! Will we fail? Will we be learning through failure as Tagg's argument?
Aloha Chi!
ReplyDeleteRest assured- I was also overcome with PANIC during the discussions and decisions, and let me first say that I strongly believe that we can not fail at this. I say this because I do not think the system (the syllabus) allows us to do so. Two of the major grade components are already group work, so I do not think the group grade is too much of a leap. If we now approach the class assignments and readings in the same way that we would if grades were individual, I can not imagine how we would disrupt or bring down the collective. I am personally looking forward to seeing how this group grade changes our discussions or engagement. Maybe it will not. I am nervous too, but let us take on this uncomfortable challenge and see where it takes us.
Hi Chi,
ReplyDeleteWe have been conditioned through years and years of schooling to demand assessments in the form of grades. Therefore, when the grade is threatened, the natural reaction is anxiety. But we are all here for each other. Compliments, criticisms, and all, our classroom is our safe zone and we can rely and speak our minds to one another. Everyone can reach out to each other.
I doubt I can convince you not to worry, but try to think of it from another angle: the opportunity. Maybe if you think about the situation in a different, more positive light, your worry will ease into excitement. I hope that with time, once we have had more time to get to know one another in the class, that all anxieties will fade.
And failure? No. I believe that we are all to committed to let that happen. =)
P.S. Do you still have your Curriculum Reform in Vietnam blog post? I see it in my reading list, but I am unable to read the entire entry because it is no longer posted. If you still have it, I would be interested in reading it. Thanks.