Faculty Member

I have very mixed views about being a faculty member. Although I have enjoyed many aspects of lecturing and how the university is set up, I do have many issues concerning being a faculty. I feel that in most instances, faculty has been extremely critical in my field over petty differences. Whether it be views of research, or views of teaching; I have felt that it has been more politics within the department rather than the actual education of students. I feel like the goal is common but I also feel that the approach is very different and sometimes controversial the way we handle education. I enjoy my classes, and I enjoy academia, but I would like to see some consistency and commonality within the purpose and/or goals of education

Transitioning to Faculty

One of the things that I would like to mention about becoming a faculty is this...

I believe that Virginia Tech has given me a full idea of what it would be like to be a faculty member. I know this because I have actually been able to grade, lecture, mentor, and help students as the front line member. From my first post, I do not think that my perceptions have changed about being a faculty member, but I do think I am learning to block out the bad aspects that comes along with it and focus on what's good

Through mission statements, learning diversity, and overall academic demeanor. I like to stick with my original position and would like to say that teaching still is my #1 goal. I do enjoy my research, more now than ever. However, it's like giving a gift at Christmas in that when I have helped a student, it is better than any self glorifying piece of literature that I have written. If anything, I have learned that going into a potential faculty member position

Working with advisers

Just a quick note in todays journal:

I have realized how two people cannot work together in some aspects. I was unaware that actually could happen due to the fact that I have been pretty good about working with professors in past experiences. However, my last adviser and I did not see eye to eye at all. It was no fault of our own, but it was difficult to work with this person. I am a very scatterbrained type person. I have exceptional ideas (As others have told me) but I ramble on and its very unclear of what I am writing. Therefore having an adviser that is the same way made things even more difficult

On the other hand, the adviser that I am working with now is direct, to the point, and tells me exactly what to do, and it has gotten done. I think my ideas and his structure have really created a new sense of work in my academic growth here at Virginia Tech and it has been a much smoother ride.

Student Apprehension

One of the things that caught my eye today was the concept of how students become more and more dependent when grades are in question.

I lead review sessions in my class before the exam. Notably, the ones that are a couple days before the exam are relaxed, and even enjoyable. Friendly conversation is exchanged and we have good discussion about the topics as a group

Notably, when the day before the exam comes, the review sessions are more like a zoo. People already have a look of apprehension. They ask questions that are already in the book, and its disheartening to see such panic. Granted, it's predictable that this behavior would occur. However, it's still a hardship to manage the students when that level of panic is within them.

I think being accommodating, but being firm needs to be done in all aspect as a TA, especially as you do not want to be the TA that students take advantage of. Grad school is stressful enough, that added pressure is not needed. Therefore it might be a good idea to keep the level of apprehension down on the instructors standpoint as well.

Mentions of April 16

One of the things that dawned on me today while I was listening to my professor lecture today, is what is the limit of mentioning tragedy?

Everyone here is well aware of the tragedy that occurred here, and the underlying question is how much should we bring it up? My professor talked about an example relating to April 16th. As i sat back in my seat, I nonchalantly turned my head back to see if there was anyone talking to each other, looking upset, amongst other reactions. Thankfully I did not see it, but it still has bothered me that the example keeps coming up from time to time

I know personally that I have upset students in the past by bringing it up. They got emotional and I was the bad guy even though I didnt go in with poor intentions. This is something to consider when you have tragedy on campus I think.

Granted, my professor is dealing with freshman, so it may not be as bad to talk to them about it, but it sill makes me wonder how much should be disclosed

Global Higher Education

One of things worth noting here is something that was mentioned in class. Obviously with global higher education, there are different systems that are followed. Between years that a student has to study, language barriers, to just the content at hand

One of the main things that I like to consider as being a communication major is the idea of media effects in different countries. Obviously, the way we study media in the United States will be different than they way Europeans study media, even somewhere like Australia. Studies have shown that there are distinct and notable differences in the way we perceive media.

Not only that, but it's also the way that other countries teach media. One of the aspect that is the most interesting is bringing students from different backgrounds to uncover what the differences are within the classroom. We can learn much more and publishable work can be produced with this type of knowledge gained

Graduate Student v. Professor Relationship

One thing that caught my eye today is what is the relationship that a faculty member should have with a graduate student. How much disclosure is necessary? How should faculty treat us and how we should treat them?

Obviously, Grad students are held on a higher playing field. They have already excelled in a Bachelors and possibly a Masters program, therefore it would be assumed that faculty could treat a graduate student more like a colleague. I do think there are limitations, due to the fact that some graduate students still do not have knowledge base that a professor might have. Therefore there is still an opportunity for a faculty to be a mentor

Therefore, it is probably best for a faculty if many things are disclosed. Personal life, work of other students, amongst other things. I believe that should not be revealed and that the work place should have a sort of level of silence, as to not cause further corruption or discrepancy in the department