Your Advice NT
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- machito
Ok, so I teach a web design class that starts from a beginning level and go's to a intermidiary level. I have a student that I gave a low level grade and is now challenging me via the school saying that I am no good and that they deserve a better grade.
Now here are my choices, do I meet with the student and Dept Chair to see if it is possible to give the desired grade, or do I say no and let the Deans dept. decide my fate based on what this hot tempered student may say.
Mind you worse case scenario is I lose my teaching job.
NT, what do you think I should do?
- _salisae_0
i'm not NT personally - but i do believe it is proper for you to stand up for yourself and your job (esp. if you feel you have acted professionally)
- unfittoprint0
a design battle in front of the whole school.
he who loses will be the other's sex slave for the rest of the year.
- machito0
I would win the design battle without a doubt
- robotron3k0
i taught for 2 years at CCAC in the Frisco campus. students can be such chumps, i've had a few who challenged me - only to drop out of class anyway. i might let the student complain, because the dean is used to that, and tell them if they would like to pursue the matter further, you'll be happy to present their work history and reasons why they deserve the grade they got....
just a thought. but, sounds like the student has done this before....
- welded0
I say you sit down with the boss and the hack and let them present their case for a better grade and you present your case for the bad grade then leave it with boss to decide. At the very least I would discuss the situation with them so you don't come out looking like an ass.
Isn't a huge part of being a good designer being able to defend your own work effectively?
- blaw0
since it's been brought to your attention you have to address the matter, otherwise you run the risk of not appearing professional.
welded and robotron3k both have outlined the best approach to the pending meeting.
- machito0
Thanks everyone for the info. You guys pretty much confirmed my first thought of sitting down with the boss and confrointing the student. If we can't work it out then have the Deans office decide. It sucks cause I work hard to get these guys info and experience to get ready for the REAL world, and I end up bickering over a grade that probably won't change.
- unfittoprint0
seriously, if your class is more oriented to web tools usage [flash, html, xhtml, css, javascript] than the more subjective field of design, you should let his work and assignments speak for itself.
Does his work reach the minimum requirements? In comparison with other students where does he stand?
- BonSeff0
or you could do like my professor did back in the day..
tell em they suck at design and find another major. he was brutal. we called him the rifleman. he shot everybody's designs down and made grown men and women cry (for real). but he made us strong damnit.
sounds like you got a punk who's ego cant be faded. if i were you, id let him make all the noise. let him complain to the dean. and only if the time comes, then defend your ground.
if you plan on a career in teaching, you cant let every poopy pants designer call you out. you'll go mad
my 2 cents
- blaw0
i worked for a dude like "the rifleman", except he was only an average designer.
i've got pretty thick skin, but that topped it off. you can pretty much shit all over one of my designs without me batting an eye.
- robotron3k0
i like bonseffs tough love approach. let the student get all worked up infront of the dean. if you get contacted by your boss, explain the students behavior in a calm, scholarly fashion. unless this kid is a sociopath, you should come out smelling like a rose.
- machito0
Unfit and ZBOnserf u guys are right. I can't let it get to me. Unfit yes it is mostly a class dealing with code first then design. So I get ur point on letting the work talk and I just back it up. I think I will go to the chair and meet with him and the student.
- canuck0
Give him a wedgee after class. He'll get the message.
- pocho0
Post his or her portfolio and let NT grade it.
I bow out since I suck at design...I will clean erasers in your class though, machito.
- motormel0
if his work speaks for itself, let the chump go to the dean on his own
don't waste your time on him
- machito0
THANKS EVERYBODY FOR THE ADVICE AND THE STORIES. I THINK I WILL DO MY BEST TO BE OPEN AND FAIR BUT ALSO FIRM ON MY BELIEF THAT THE WORK SHOULD SPEAK FOR ITSELF. I WILL HOLD STRONG AND HAVE A TALK WITH THE PARTIES, AND IF NO COMPROMISE IS MET TO MY SATISFACTION, LET IT BE AS THE SONG GOES.
SORRY FOR THE ALL CAPS.
- jevad0
If you have acted professionally, and with just cause - ie if he got the grade you think he deserved - then you have nothing to worry about.
- patnoodle0
A stiff bamboo cane across the back of the hands or knees - he won't challenge you again ;)
- snowcat0
seduce the student mk style