I’ve been reflecting on what we talked about the class and the discussion we had over the pedagogy of expectations and I waited so long to post something about it because I was trying to think of something profound and insightful to say. Since a majority of class on Thursday was taken up by the discussion sparked by it. I find myself unable to come up with any kind of meaningful reaction over it, I guess to me I just expect to receive some kind list of rules or expectations from teachers or employers or anyone in that type of relation to me. I did not find the list Matt gave us surprising or rude at all; I would even go so far as to say I appreciated the bluntness of it. I agree with Josh when he says he sees respect as something that should be earned and I find the willingness to put out his expectations in such a blunt way very worthy of respect.
I believe a list of expectations is something absolutely necessary to explain how one must act in a given social environment especially when that is a formal classroom. In addition I think the way the pedagogy of expectations delivers itself is the best way to go because there is no confusion of how I need to act in this given setting.
I didn't manage to speak about this is class. I suppose my hand was only lazily raised. Anyways, I must confess that I absolutely love when I am not handed the list of expectations/rules. It is standard. It is expected. And, it always sounds inhuman. The systemization of education isn't really my qualm. Nor does my issue with it stem from being desirous of doing nothing. I don't like these lists because they stress me. I don't like going to class with a sore throat because I want to save absences for a more powerful call to skip. I don't like being forced into Education. Without the list of rules, I would attend class with regularity. With it, I attend class with more regularity, but with the propensity to let my mind wander off in misdirection on the days that I would have skipped.
ReplyDeleteSame with late work. Deadline, for me, tend to produce awful work. I get rushed. However, when the deadline is actually a woundline, I tend to put much more thought and effort into my work. From time to time, people expect far too much from me. Sometimes, my focus is not on par with the expectations of my professors. So, it is not terribly uncommon for me to turn a paper in a few days late, but with much more thought and integrity than a paper that would have been completed 24-72 hours previously.
Here's a strategy: take note of the professor's deadline, then set a deadline for yourself 72 hours earlier. That way you can do your best work and still get it in on a schedule that will neither make extra work and hassle for the instructor nor claim a special privilege that not everyone can share.
ReplyDeleteI am not (or not only!) being funny with this suggestion. This might actually be an effective way to foster your autonomy as a student. I do something similar with creative procrastination -- I often do my best work while avoiding something more important. It's a relaxation strategy.