Rx: mood enhancement for teaching freshmen

A new semester begins today. I’m trying to figure out what mood I’m in as I approach teaching freshmen in their first news writing course.

They’ve changed in the 15 years I’ve taught them. They know less but still think they know a great deal. They think technology substitutes adequately for effort. I expect that a few will arrive in the inaugural class unprepared to do work – no notebook, no pen, no text, no nuthin’. (That happened in the fall in my sophomore classes, which stunned me.)

Many, if not most, will be unplugging iPods as they enter the room. Several will forget to turn off their cell phones with the predictable result (a remonstrative glare from me). They will be dressed (how can I put it?) eclectically. They will not have yet learned the value of first impressions. I expect to see more skin than I think wise, given that sub-freezing temperature rules our campus today.

They will give every impression of “being cool” about everything.

Advertisement