I've noticed that, when students are giving an account for why they/prefer like some professor/tutor, they are likely to give certain kinds of answers. Thinking about why this was, I came to the following division, and I think it's rather exhaustive:
A professor/tutor can be preferred according to
I. An excellence with regard to the object of his science (matter)
-and/or-
II. An excellence with regard to the method of his science (form)
With regard to the first, a perfection may be perceived according to
A. The depth/dignity of the concepts grasped and taught
-and/or-
B. The variety of concepts/points of view presented on some subject
With regard to the second division, a perfection may be perceived according to
A. Will - - often includes the use of difficulty and/or fear of humiliation to motivate students.
B. Intellect - - maintainance of good order in discussions, a logical progression of ideas suggested, encouraged, expended and demonstrated
C. Passion - - deep enthusiasm or love for the subject presented
It seems to me that having a balance of all these strengths makes for the highest level of pedagogical perfection, while an overemphasis on some one strength can render a professor unsuccessful, highly disliked, or both. Some of these are very obvious - who didn't have that one teacher who was all enthusiasm, no brain? Who didn't fret over the high demands of some course, or tolerate the bragging of a classmate who demonstrated greater proficiency in some area of study, due to the fact that their professor was the academic equivalent of a drill sargeant? Admittedly, there are some strengths which are less likely to result in such a dilemma, such as option II-B -- however, without enthusiasm and good humor, even the most logical of classes can be too dry an environment for intellectual growth - moreover, without honourable material (I-A), logical order tends to lose it's charm, i.e., a masterfully logical class on the anatomic structure of the small intestine would generally lack the ability to enthrall most people.
Does this seem fair to you, oh tiny little group of readers?
3 comments:
*chunk* Validation.
I'm sure small intestines are quite fascinating.
See? Toldja.
Well, uh . . . then, I suppose that I must conclude that some people can be enthusiastic about pretty much anything. But then again, I've known that about you for a LONG time, adeoamata - ever since that amazing power-point presentation on our plants-growing-upside-down-in-some-old-nylons project back in freshman year. LOL.
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