I'm working through my latest round of frustration with my freshman comp students. Every semester I see new lows in student motivation; anytime I swear the bar can't go any lower, it does. Some of these lows come in bunches, unfortunately, as in abovesaid class.
Today their research assignments were due; allegedly, they've spent the last 5-6 weeks hammering out a problem-solution essay, gathering trustworthy sources, borrowing material properly and fairly, citing properly, etc. Out of 18 students still officially on the class roster, a grand total of 7 had their folders ready to turn in with all required materials when class started. 4 or 5 students weren't there; a couple showed up but turned nothing in.
Part of the folder's required materials are copies of all their cited sources; otherwise I can't judge how well they've borrowed and whether or not they've avoided plagiarism. I explained this in class, I put it in the original assignment handout, and I reminded them from a list of reminders last week, a list which I displayed on the computer projector in class and went through one item at a time.
Today I had to return 4 folders (4!) which had no copies of sources. One student actually said, out loud, "Oh. I didn't know that."
Jaw-dropping, isn't it? But it's the logical place to go for this class. I am appalled at the laziness and tuning out this bunch has shown me.
And I'm back to the old question that has haunted me plenty times before: is it worth teaching to the 15-20% of students who actually try, who actually give a fuck? How do I teach to my best audience and not let the other 75-80% get to me? I'm a great teacher for the motivated ones; the slothful ones, I don't know what to do for them.
Update, 2:17 p.m.: It gets worse. One of abovesaid students who didn't have his folder or anything else ready for class today just walked in here with his final draft and folder ready to give me--without copies of his sources. He also asked me how long the essay was supposed to have been. He also looked surprised when I reminded him he had to include copies of his sources.
The first time he came in here today, he showed me his draft in progress and told me he hadn't cited any sources. I reminded him that a major portion of the research assignment was proper borrowing of outside sources. So he left, presumably to find some passages to cite. That was probably an hour and a half ago.
I think I already know what grade the essay will get; I don't think I need to read it.
Make it stop. Please.
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