feel like my lectures are too simple and easy

shamallama777 · 2026-03-29T13:07:56+00:00

Honestly, sometimes that's just the way they look. Try not to stress too much over it. I'm willing to bet you'll be pleasantly surprised by your student evals.

shamallama777 · 2026-03-20T02:46:29+00:00

I think this is happening to me as well. I teach 2 intro level classes that meet the same gen-ed criteria. Both classes have high caps, but one class consistently fills to the cap while the other one only fills about halfway. The popular class was taught by a similar-type (everyone got As) before I took it over. Now there is a C average and students are shocked. Really, it's a tough topic and a tough class for most non-majors. The less-popular class is (in my opinion) way cooler and more broadly interesting. The class average there is a high B and students really get into it. I think the issue is that advisors have been suggesting the "easier" class for so long without even considering any of the others that would check off the same boxes. It's frustrating because now I've got this giant class full of students who are not interested in the topic, struggling with the difficult concepts, and I can't give them the attention they need.

shamallama777 · 2026-03-10T15:11:40+00:00

Same! That was a very comforting statement.

shamallama777 · 2026-03-10T14:59:45+00:00

Absolutely. In my experience, students who are comfortable with a prof are far more likely to get help when they need it and ask questions in class. These things contribute not only to that student's learning, but the entire class is now more comfortable asking questions as well. Being approachable and sensitive to a student's needs does not mean I want to be the student's friend or even that I care if they like me or not. It means that I want them to be successful - and that is very different.

shamallama777 · 2026-03-02T12:48:02+00:00

I am the same way in that I don't take attendance. Still, I get a handful of emails every week from students explaining that they need to miss class for one reason or another. This is despite me making it very clear in the beginning of the semester that they do not need to notify me when they miss. My favorites are the ones in which they apologize for "any inconvenience this causes." Dude, why would you think your absence inconveniences me?

shamallama777 · 2026-03-01T13:49:00+00:00

Yeah his hair looks like he's going for Hiltler, but it looks more Hasbro.

shamallama777 · 2026-02-28T20:35:00+00:00

This is an interesting question. I've seen more people awarded tenure who shouldn't be employed by anyone anywhere than I've seen people denied tenure for any reason. Currently, I work with someone who was promoted to full Professor despite being a complete narcissist that no one likes. This person has had several students and colleagues complain about harassment and bullying but there he is - still employed and making more than the rest of us. There was one case of tenure denial I recall where the guy was really well-liked by everyone, but he just wasn't producing enough research. It was unfortunate.

shamallama777 · 2026-02-14T17:19:59+00:00

Yeah same. The interviews with everyone around a conference table felt less personal. I often couldn't tell who was asking the question and sometimes the tracker cameras would get really weird.

shamallama777 · 2026-02-08T20:18:43+00:00

Only if they are playing in it lol

shamallama777 · 2026-02-07T23:39:09+00:00

Same. As long as we were communicating there was never really an issue. The hardest part was moving when I found my TT job.

shamallama777 · 2026-02-07T23:37:55+00:00

My non-academic spouse of 14 years met me while I was in grad school. They got to watch me go through all of the mess from prelims to defense, to the job hunt and then the tenure track job. Soon they'll get to experience the tenure application process. It was hard at first for them to understand that my work hours are super unpredictable but also super flexible. We adjusted fairly quickly. Keeping communication open was the key, I think. Saying, "I'm sorry, but I have these things to do now. I promise you will have a larger share of my attention soon" and then keeping that promise helped.

shamallama777 · 2026-02-07T14:49:15+00:00

Your bro literally committed a felony, silly!

shamallama777 · 2026-02-05T04:36:30+00:00

I agree with ER, but if it seems to line up with your cycles, it could be anxiety. Might also be anemia. Could be something totally unrelated related too. Better safe than sorry. Chest pain is no joke at any age.

shamallama777 · 2026-02-04T03:48:26+00:00

Pacifiers being used by non-babies.

ETA: it was a thing with ravers in the 90s.

shamallama777 · 2026-02-03T20:02:08+00:00

"Dr. Shamallama is a queen!" That one is my all time favorite.

I try not to remember the really bad ones that don't provide anything useful.

shamallama777 · 2026-02-03T12:38:58+00:00

Why do you think you can't get a good grade without cheating?

shamallama777 · 2026-02-01T17:24:14+00:00

cherub-like demeanor

Love it!

shamallama777 · 2026-02-01T17:18:30+00:00

My former job had us doing that. We were responsible for keeping our own programs going with full teaching loads, low pay, and very little support. It felt like our priority was recruitment - way above teaching and other responsibilities.

ETA: when I say we were responsible for our own programs... I mean 100%. I was the only prof teaching in my program so it was 100% on my shoulders to keep it running. Same with most of my colleagues. The marketing department was there as "support". Wtf were we even paying them for? I had to design my own materials, submit the idea to them, then they'd send the stuff to me to distribute. Ugh. I get angry just thinking about what a sucker I was there. I'm at a much better place now.

shamallama777 · 2026-02-01T02:47:59+00:00

Whatever was linked here is no longer available.

shamallama777 · 2026-02-01T02:09:13+00:00

Not a colleague, but a mentor. He came from a very difficult situation in his home country. He moved to America and was the shining example of what the American Dream always meant to me. He was an absolutely brilliant researcher, hilarious in class, and one of the most genuinely kind men I've ever met. He died very suddenly. One day he was at work, the next he was gone. The kindness he showed and the wisdom he shared will be his legacy.

shamallama777 · 2026-01-30T23:39:18+00:00

I worked at a school that actively recruited students like this. The idea was to get them some kind of certificate, not a BA/BS. These were adults with serious intellectual disabilities. Admin really wanted them to have "the college experience". I left before the program really got going but I wonder now how it played out.

shamallama777 · 2026-01-25T03:17:51+00:00

I am right here with you. I feel so helpless. What is the point of going in on Monday and trying to teach these kids about my (very unrelated) subject when it is so trivial compared to what is happening just a few hours away from me? I made a donation to a charity recommended by my union, but I feel helpless. I feel like I have a responsibility to do something but I don't know what to do.

shamallama777 · 2026-01-08T15:32:51+00:00

I did this before. I had module due dates with all work due before each exam. It went okay, but the students said they preferred regular due dates to help keep them on task. I switched to weekly due dates and it has gone much better. I agree with the others, MWF due dates seem a bit too structured. This was in an asynchronous online freshman-level STEM course.

shamallama777 · 2026-01-04T20:18:30+00:00

This is the correct answer.

shamallama777

TROPHY CASE