OPINION & EDITORIAL
Memo to professors
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:
- Madison's annual hip-hop conference falters (April 14, 2003)
- Dear Dave: Post this near your desk (April 17, 2003)
- Politicking destroyed opt-out's proponents (April 14, 2003)
- Don't Cut Historical Society Funds (April 29, 2003)
- Redirecting control (April 23, 2003)
Related Stories:
- Scheduling 101 (July 17, 2002)
- Students need time after Thanksgiving (December 3, 2004)
- Molehill. (March 16, 2005)
- From the Board of Directors (December 8, 2003)
- Outbursts in class unacceptable (April 7, 2005)
by Badger Herald Editorial Board
Wednesday, January 23, 2002
Dear professors,
The first day of class is not for teaching.
Rather, the first day of class should be viewed as a movie trailer , not an opportunity to run the class’s opening credits.
We want razzle dazzle — we want to be teased, even seduced, by promises of riveting lectures, light readings and take-home exams. The first day of class — the preview class — should be as exciting (and short) as is academically possible.
Let’s be clear : Pedantic first-day lectures are red flags to drop the class before we’ve invested much potential sleep time.
For the professor who spent yesterday teaching, it is probably too late: look for dramatic drop off in attendance at your next lectures. But professors who have yet to launch into class should best heed our advice: You need to make a good first impression to solidify attendance, let alone interest. Let’s see some Hollywood-type first days. A stylish beginning with props, music and a young-attractive celebrity would start the semester off the right way.
