This semester at a glance
Teaching
- My teaching responsibilities are very different this semester even though its the same class.
- Instead of teaching new material in the discussion classes, we (the TA’s) are only supposed to go over concepts which have already been taught in the main lecture and work problems. It’s basically a review session.
- We (the TA’s) are in charge of writing the tests and quizzes and getting them graded. If I was a professor, I would want to write my own tests.
- I am in charge of the “e-learning” site for the class. This means that I upload answer keys and homework solutions, answer student’s questions on the discussion board, make announcements, and am in charge of the gradebook. If I was a professor, I would not want a random TA to have this responsibility. There is a lot of room for error.
- Most of these differences are results of the fact that the professor I’m teaching for is interesting. (Lauren, “We are chipmunks, I squeaked”)
- He is apparently a brilliant researcher who developed some analytical technique which is used worldwide.
- He is a Windows-elitest (if there is such a thing), and self-admittedly knows nothing about computers or the Internet. Hence, he didn’t know how to log on to e-learning–much less manage the site for his class.
- He has graying Elvis hair to match the large Elvis poster in his office.
- He is in a local rock-band composed of four middle aged men. Flyers for their concert a few weeks ago were given to all of his students and TA’s.
- He wants his tests to be harder, but rejects any question we write for which students must make any mental leaps. The tests are therefore abysmally easy.
Learning
- My two classes this semester are Inorganic Kinetics and Organic Kinetics.
- They are more difficult than the classes I had last semester, but are thus far enjoyable.
- Organic is not as scary as I thought, but I’d still rather be Inorganic any day.
Research
- My first order of business when I got to lab in January was to clean my disgusting vacuum line. I cleaned it, and in the end it was bright and beautiful and broken. It has been in the glass shop ever since. It was supposed to be done three Mondays ago. Then it was supposed to be done two Thurdays ago. Now it’s supposed to be done whenever he can get to it.
- I can do nothing in lab without my vacuum line. The End.
Church
- I have the most awesome Sunday School class ever, and we are growing like crazy.
- I really love being in choir and in the college/grad singing group.
- My favorite days of every week are Sunday and Wednesday.