Reality Check!

I have the best professor ever!

"Asking the right questions takes as much skill as giving the right answers." (Robert Half). Makes sense doesn't it? Especially if you've ever tried to construct a good exam that makes a learner do more than just spit out facts. Memorizing is low level learning they tell us. High level critical thinking is required of nurses (and every other profession I suppose).

Today I found the challenge runs even deeper. I stopped by the library after class this evening to print off some articles and overheard a student on the next computer tell her fellow student "I have the best professor ever." Well, I gotta tell you as a student of the faculty role my senses were on high alert! What is it these students want from a "good professor?" Someone who cares whether I learn? Someone excited about the topic? Someone that can really make me think?? Imagine my shock when the student reported "she doesn't care about sh_t." Really? I'm not ready to learn the prevalence of this notion. My heart sank. I wanted to ask her for her tuition money so I could make better use of it. I thought about how High Schools claim bragging rights regarding how many of their seniors plan to attend college-how when my kids were graduating, all but two or three had plans to attend institutions of higher learning. Though I've not done the research on how many High School graduates truly are ready for college, I suspect the numbers are not that high.

Regardless of these initial reactions, I was struck by the reality of the job at hand. How do you ignite the spark for the excitement of learning? What if the spark is completely gone? Surely it was once there? I don't think all of these innovative pedagogies I'm learning are going to do the trick.

I have a real challenge ahead of me and it's runs deeper than asking the right questions!