Is My Teacher Unreasonable Or Is This a Real "Professional "Enviornment?"

JakeAndAirwaves · #1 10-07-2011, 03:33 PM

So I am taking an Intro to Engineering Design course. We are working with Autodesk Inventor, if you are familiar with that. We just finished up a project involving creating puzzle cubes out of parts made with cubes. We first did this in actual 3D. Then we drew them on isometric paper, then moved on to making the parts, assembling, and making parts lists and exploded views all on Inventor. This class in not on my home campus and there is a bus ride to the building. Thus, the class is shorter than normal. The teacher does not explain well, as she mumbles instructions not even towards the class, as she goes through the steps way to fast on the computer. These instructions take up half of the class. Then we are on our own. If we have a question, we have to post it on the class forums, wait for some other ill-instructed classmate to answer vaguely, then, after 20 minutes she will answer our question. On top of that, we cannot raise our hands to ask a question. We have to put a red cup on top of our computer. We can access the software at home, but my computer will not handle it. I did finish, but it's not pretty. At all. Is this how the real world works? Is it ridiculous to ask this of a class consisting majorly of freshmen/sophomores?

MatticusMania · #2 10-07-2011, 03:38 PM

Yes, like your post, the Real World can be confusing at times.

I mean, there's that chick who likes chicks but looks like a dude.
Then theres that bisexual guy who gets drunk and yells because he's insecure with his own sexuality.
And that guy who won't sleep in his own room because his roommate is that very same bisexual drunk yelling guy.

Its all so very confusing. Of course, if I paid attention the first time 'round, and actually watched the episodes, it'd probably make a lot more sense.

MakiSupaStar · #3 10-07-2011, 03:40 PM

I can guarantee you that you will have bosses just like that.

Relic · #4 10-07-2011, 03:47 PM

Yeah, get used to it now. Life's a biotch...

That said, if you need answers, be assertive. You gotta do what you gotta do to pass the class.

**Old Joe** · #5 10-07-2011, 03:50 PM

If you are in an engineering program...

Welcome to the wonderful world of Engineering. If your experience with your professor bothered you too much, now is a good time to switch programs. It only gets "better".

elgecko · #6 10-07-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeAndAirwaves

...On top of that, we cannot raise our hands to ask a question. We have to put a red cup on top of our computer....

Are you taking your class in a Brazilian BBQ place?

But on a serious note, that's just like the real world. You need to adapt to any and every situation regardless of how you feel.

Definitely · #7 10-07-2011, 04:09 PM

I'm in grade 9, and my teacher gave me a worksheet with absolutely no instruction on it, only math sentences. she told me to do it and when I asked her how she said no questions during the test (I had finished mine early this is why I had the sheet) I told I wasn't on the test and she told me to be quiet. I went up to her desk and whispered to her asking her what to do on the first question, and she sent me out of the classroom! I sat out there and finally my school principal came by and showed me how, but talk about whack teachers!

fdeck · #8 10-07-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeAndAirwaves

Is this how the real world works?

No.

While it's certainly possible to encounter pathological situations in the real world, most work environments are friendly and collaborative. For one thing, we can't afford to pay you for wasting your time if you don't know how to do something. We'd much rather get you the advice or instruction that you need, right away. Also, people who are promoted into supervisory roles tend to be reasonably articulate. Gone are the days when bosses could be obstructive ****'s and get away with it. They have the productivity of their departments to answer for.

With that said, vague instructions and having to figure stuff out on your own is how the real world works.

Have you tried Googling your questions? Just type the entire question into Google. You'd be amazed. That's also how the real world works.

runmikeyrun · #9 10-07-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

I can guarantee you that you will have bosses just like that.

Agreed. Most bosses are so disconnected from what the employees are doing or feeling that they give very vague leadership and then get mad when things don't go right. Or, on the other side of the coin they micromanage you to death and are constantly on your butt about everything.

Sounds like your teacher either doesn't care or is just a poor teacher. I've had teachers like that before. It's no use going to the department head or arguing with them, it just makes things worse. Just try your best to get through the class and move on.

**nutdog** · #10 10-07-2011, 04:46 PM

john grey · #11 10-07-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runmikeyrun

Agreed. Most bosses are so disconnected from what the employees are doing or feeling that they give very vague leadership and then get mad when things don't go right. Or, on the other side of the coin they micromanage you to death and are constantly on your butt about everything.

Sounds like your teacher either doesn't care or is just a poor teacher. I've had teachers like that before. It's no use going to the department head or arguing with them, it just makes things worse. Just try your best to get through the class and move on.

THIS IS VERY REAL, & VERY GOOD ADVISE! I suggest you really take this in. The majority of teachers in many schools are mediocre, MANY are low quality. I taught school for a few years and I got sick of dealing with people who honestly didn't care if the folks learned or weren't able to keep their own personal issues from ruining someone's learning. Many of the people who DID learn, would have learned if the teacher had been a block of wood.
It's also very difficult to get a poorly funtioning teacher out of their position. They are not in a position where their performance is the determinate of their jobs......YOU are & will be!

You have a lousy teacher there; that's life. You will have lousy employers also. The key is recognizing it so that YOU do not react emotionally to someone else's issues or low level of proficiency.

Pilgrim · #12 10-07-2011, 06:20 PM

I work with engineers at a university. Most of them are very nice people and LOUSY teachers. They've never had a course in teaching methods, they are not very sensitive about people's feelings, and they often lack the ability to put themselves in the other person's shoes. In other words, they have blind spots and lack sensitivity to others. But one on one, they're really nice and interesting people - who often don't know much about teaching.

I don't think your teacher is doing a good job, but I don't think she is that unusual in an engineering program.

YOU need to upgrade your computer - the cardinal sin for an engineer is to try and work with tools that you know are inadequate. Computers are cheap - get a better one THIS WEEKEND. Engineers LIVE on their computers today, so if you stay in engineering and especially if you run 3D software, you need a very good, very fast machine with a big HD and lots of RAM.

fdeck · #13 10-07-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutdog

Er, your computer doesn't work because the lid is closed.

Next question, please.

**nutdog** · #14 10-07-2011, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

Er, your computer doesn't work because the lid is closed.

Next question, please.

1 hour 41 minutes. Yes. It is the same in the real world.

JakeAndAirwaves · #15 10-07-2011, 07:24 PM

Ok. So I'm not being unreasonable. How do I take action to fix this?

MakiSupaStar · #16 10-07-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeAndAirwaves

Ok. So I'm not being unreasonable. How do I take action to fix this?

Hahahaha. I'm laughing at you my naive pup, because you think you can fix it. This is the real world. You will work for many idiots, before you work for yourself. Don't ever try to change people. It's a broken machine that's inconsistent as all hell. If you really like to fix things run windows. That'll keep you busy.

elgecko · #17 10-07-2011, 07:42 PM

You can:

1) suck it up, barrel through and hope to pass

2) find a tutor

3) drop the class and take another instructor (if possible), or

4) consider another major.

By chance, is Intro to Engineering Design the "weed-out" course for your major?

JakeAndAirwaves · #18 10-07-2011, 07:45 PM

So this is what the engineering field is like. I suppose that's not where I want to end up.

JakeAndAirwaves · #19 10-07-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgecko

You can:

1) suck it up, barrel through and hope to pass

2) find a tutor

3) drop the class and take another instructor (if possible), or

4) consider another major.

By chance, is Intro to Engineering Design the "weed-out" course for your major?

Can you get Engineering tutors? And by weed out, you mean deciding on where to go with my life? If so, yes. I took a full year of programming last year. That's no good either.

elgecko · #20 10-07-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeAndAirwaves

...And by weed out, you mean deciding on where to go with my life? If so, yes. I took a full year of programming last year. That's no good either.

The "weed out" course for a major is the typically the 3rd year "introductory" course that separates the boys from the men. In geology, that course was Field Methods. About 25% of the people who started that class with me decided that geology really wasn't for them. It's like getting jumped into a gang...in musician terms, it's where you pay a crap load of dues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeAndAirwaves

Can you get Engineering tutors?...

You're asking me?

You're clearly having problems with the material and instead of seeking help from your classmates, your teachers, or department advisers, you come to TB OT? Look dude, college isn't easy. Engineering is especially not easy. It's time to man up and get a little proactive about your education.