The picture I chose will probably relate to just about everybody’s experience in pre-calculus. Our professor barely taught, moved at a pace faster than the speed of light, and was extremely unapproachable. According to RateMyProfessors.com, his in-class exams are much easier than the departmental final given at the end of the semester, causing students’ confidence to build up after the exams, only to be crushed by the devastating blow that is the final exam. He would also show up to class about 15 minutes after its scheduled start-time, and end class a half hour early, muttering something about an appointment. In addition to the lack of actual teaching I’d experienced in this class, the professor wouldn’t slow down a lecture if a dinosaur busted down the classroom door and ate a student. A student had once asked him to slow down the lecture because the class was having trouble keeping up with his hurried pace, and he answered with a muffled, “It’s on the board so just copy it…” He must have been under the impression that everyone already learned college level pre-calculus in high school. When questioned about the very homework he assigned, the professor often responded with, “I can’t help you with that” or even “I’m not sure what this question is asking.” I’ll stop myself here before I go into a vicious personal attack on this guy. Most people cannot pick up a math textbook and teach themselves pre-calculus. I’m not necessarily saying that all professors should be experts at relaying their knowledge to their students, but many students would appreciate a little effort.
Nick, it seems that this has made your transition less than smooth. Thank you for sharing this and for trying to assist your classmates this semester with some of the issues you all had with the class. I am sorry I wasn’t able to be of more assistance.