self assessment

With the upcoming freshman year of college and the question of “What’s your major” constantly pummeling me left and right, I chose to enter Moraine Valley Community College earlier this fall with an undecided stance. I felt it was the best bet for me seeing that I could save money and knock off a few ‘GENEDS’ while also working at my local job and go from there. Along the way, I began to become more and more interested scanning available classes for the future as fall enrollment was beginning to open up. Criminal justice caught my eye and all the branches the field spreads into.
Before taking the class, I was originally signed up for a biology class which I would later find out I would be unnecessary for graduating purposes. I needed a last minute change, but had no idea what to take as far as a class to fill in the gap. It hit me later that I could check and see if a criminal justice course had opened up. The idea of taking a course I was interested in as a major just to get my feet wet before I transfer to a university and find out if I am serious about it or not. To be honest, I was not sure what to expect. I was worried it was an early class and the fact that it was a last minute decision.
First entering class, when I found out you were a former cop, I felt a bit intimidated like most people are. Later on I would find out you were a real cool teacher who was pretty laid back and straight forward when it came to teaching the course. I really liked your form of lecture; you were very down to earth when you explained the ideas. Most teachers would give you a very formal book definition that would leave a student still scratching his or her head. However, you would say forget that because you’ve been around and from experience you know what you’re talking about. I also thought it was cool how you just got to the point of important things. You knocked out some of the technically stuff like the court dates that relate to the things we were studying. You know that we will never use that later and that we don’t care. You stuck to the basics and if you can get to that it might stick with us a little longer.
I really thought the class might have been a bit harder. To be really honest, the class was too easy. I am not sure who will pass the class, but I think a lot of the students took advantage of your laid back status. I cannot say I showed up to every class nor was I always on time, but too many people walked in late or ditched the class. Grant it the class was 8am and had it been later I know that more would show up or be on time. Participation would have been upped I’m sure had it been later in the day as well. I felt bad no one really spoke up. You would just stand up there and try to provoke us and we would all just sit there starring or sleeping. You did a good job at keep on trucking through the power points and lectures.
You really presented things well in the class. Definitely keep up with the power points because they are a really great way to learn things visually and with the concept that you have the notes up there. I would suggest that you keep the notes up there a bit longer for the students to copy down possibly or throw more hints out whether it may or may not be on the test. That way you can help keep some of the kids dosing off to get their act together and jot down a few notes. I also really liked how you in cooperated little examples from everyday life or you tube videos along with other movies that you had on you. You should maybe give out a worksheet to go along with the film-that will ensure students stay awake for it and make us pay a bit more attention. I felt myself bobbing my head back and forth at times not because they were boring, but mainly because I don’t get enough sleep and 8am is early for me. If I have to pay attention and it means points are at stake or possible test questions for later, I will make sure of it that I am awake and conscious. You should not feel bad for kids who just blow everything off, they are slackers. If they don’t care about learning then they shouldn’t pass. I try everyday and take notes and so forth; I feel that if they pass and they were not involved whatsoever, I feel pretty pissed.
The black board site is awesome. I love being able to check my grades and the idea that homework assignments or announcements were on there. I check it all the time to keep on the up and up with class or my grades. I would have to argue that you give too much of a window of opportunity for slackers though. Homework online was really an easy way for you and us, but I think that you should grade them rather check them for participation. I know for a fact some of the other students took advantage of you allowing them time and or grading them less harsh because of participation. I know most of those kids did not even open their book to glance over before the chapters quiz was due. They would fill in just anything knowing you still give them 10/10 for completion. Knowing that I am interested in the course as a major I did read through all the chapters. I would have to also say that the tests were too easy. I think you should not follow those online quizzes so strictly as being what’s on the test. I think the test questions should come directly out of your notes you give during class and maybe throw a study guide out to the kids. I felt it was too easy and the reason kids blew off class so much was because they knew they could get away with it by getting some participation grade that will pass them. They don’t care if it’s a low grade, just as long as they get by and receive credit for the year.
In closing, I did enjoy your class and still feel a calling towards criminal justice. I like how you are very involved with the class and that really helps a student knowing that you are there for us and care. I think you should not be so nice though when it comes to homework and tests. I feel a student should at least some effort to show up or pay attention and do work. Don’t get me wrong because I hate homework, I just do what I have to do and I don’t like to screw around. Thanks for a good year; you kept it interesting-crack the whip next year!