Lately, I've been reconsidering some of my classroom
practices in light of the question, “Am I really
helping my students?” Is accepting late
work helping creating student responsibility?
Is the option to “re-do” assignments a learning tool or an excuse for
not doing one’s best the first time around?
Does my attendance policy coincide with the expectations of the “real
world” after college? If students chose to play on their cell phones in class, should I really care?
The lens to which I am drawn in order to assess
these issues is the concept of “enabling” versus “empowerment.”
In short, “enabling” is when I—either intentionally
or inadvertently—reinforce a behavior or habit that does not or will not serve
my students well. An example of this
might be allowing students to show up late to class regularly. Certainly this behavior will have negative
consequences in their future endeavors.
“Empowerment” on the other hand, is when I provide students the
structure and opportunity to move forward, to progress and to perform in ways
that will enhance their present and future outcomes without instilling unwanted
practices that may not work to their advantage later on.
I wish this were an easy exercise—“Yes, that empowers my
students,” or “No, that doesn't help them at all.” What I’m finding is that there are many shades
of gray.
So a second perspective I’m
employing is whether my intended procedure just serves them for the short term
(e.g., this course, this semester) or does it have the potential to reap long
term benefits for the student.
It’s sometimes easier for me to “enable” students because it
makes my life as an instructor easier. So
what if they miss class? They’re adults
(almost), right? Who cares if their
papers are late? It’s just an academic
exercise. I admit the temptation to
streamline things for myself.
But that’s not why I’m here.
That isn't why I chose to teach. I
want my students, perhaps later in life, to say to themselves, “I’m glad my
instructor insisted on this practice. It’s
sure helping me now!” instead of “I wish my instructor had made me do
that. I’d be a lot better off if he had.”
Attendance, late work, resubmissions, cell phones. These are some of the issues I’ve been re-contemplating. I’d like to know what issues others have been
dealing with and how.
