> From: "Michel, Christopher J" <michec@uh2297p01.daytonoh.attgis.com>
> To: "learning-org" <learning-org@world.std.com>
>
> Beth Clark wrote:
> >This semester I will be taking a graduate course in "Quality, Strategy,
> >and Productivity" based on the thinkings of Deming. It is being taught by
> >the professor who holds the Deming-endowed chair at our local university.
> >I was dismayed to learn that a final exam will be the method used to
> >assess learning. As the course is aimed for students already "in the
> >workplace" or soon to be, I assumed that the professor would use a project
> >as both a learning opportunity and as a means to assess whether the
> >students could apply the knowledge and skills learned in the class...
>
> Beth,
>
> Have you approached the professor with an alternative? One of my
> professors once told me, "A sure sign of successful teaching is when the
> student has the confidence to challenge the teacher." Approach it from the
> "systems" perspective, focusing on the issue.
>
> Chris Michel
One of the important skills we must help our students practice is
critical thinking skills. My learning partners are required to question
anything they see that can be improved in any form. Beth's description is
a clear indication of the big difference between what we say we do, and
what we actually do. This is a very common disease in higher education,
and it so normal that not too many people pay attention to it. I like the
title of the course, because it implies that great things will happen in
it. When you mantion Deming, I would expect no fear, for instance. But
exams create a lot of that. Deming also implies looking at the system,
and letting the system tell you what is wrong with it. But it looks like
tha manager (professor) has already set the system up! And list can go
on...
I have seen many professors who act the same way as the one
descirbed in Beth's message. A professor who claimed to be a specialist
in organizational change, but he himslef uses 16-year syllabi! Or the
other one who teaches organizational behavior, but would not listen to
full-time employeed students who want to express the behavioral problems
in their companies...
You must be careful, don't just buy into course titles. When I
see people's business cards, I ask them what they really do and,
sometimes, how they do it!
Ivan
--
***************************************************************
R. IVAN BLANCO, Ph.D. Voice 305 899-3515
Assoc. Prof. & Director Fax 305 892-6412
International Business Programs
Andreas School of Business _________E-Mail Addresses________
Barry University Bitnet: Blanco%bu4090@Barryu
Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695 Internet: Blanco@bu4090.barry.edu
<<<<< ---------------- >>>>>
"Si un hombre fuera necesario para sostener el Estado, este
Estado no deberia existir." "If one man were necessary to
sustain a Nation, this Nation should not exist." Simon Bolivar
===============================================================