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| "The Teacher" by Gerrit Dou (1645) |
With this in mind, consider what the effect will be on your teachers during the fall semester when they get an e-mail from the Honors office notifying them that you are in the Honors program, and ask yourself the question: would you prefer it if people had high expectations for you, and you just met those expectations? Or would you prefer it if people had low expectations of you, and you surpassed them, even if you didn't perform quite as well as you would when meeting someone's high expectations?
Additionally, or alternatively, we are accustomed to thinking that a teacher's expectations for students will affect their performance, but we are less accustomed to thinking of the way students' expectations affect the performance of their teachers. Do you think it is unrealistic to think that the expectations of a single student could affect a teacher's performance in a particular classroom (either positively or negatively)? Why or why not? Provide examples from your personal experience if you have any.
Between being projected with high or low expectational output and their respected outcomes, I think I would prefer people to have high expectations of me; I know of the potential greatness that I'm capable of. Ideally, however, concerning the idea of expectations I would prefer to be met with none. I'm somewhat turned off by the idea especially in the case of life choices, though I do admit there are some rather useful situations in which expectations may be in order. I call upon the great Richard Feynman:
ReplyDelete“You have no responsibility to live up to what other people think you ought to accomplish. I have no responsibility to be like they expect me to be. It's their mistake, not my failing.”
In the end – whatever our expectational preference may be, looks to be irrelevant – we will experience this phenomenon, if you will, first hand this coming year; when our teachers read that email. Mlodinow, citing Rosenthal's research with IQ tests in the classroom, writes: “In one line of research he showed that teacher's expectations greatly affect their students' academic performance, even when the teachers try to treat them impartially.” (113).
Honor students, by definition of the word, are accompanied with expectations of performing greater than average. Just as with the students (wrongfully) labeled as “gifted” in Rosenthal's research, this knowledge has the power to affect our academic performance. There is, however, two important distinctions between us honors students and the students in the experiment: we too have this knowledge, we're all consciously aware the expectations that being an honors student brings with it. Secondly, and perhaps the greater of the two, honors students are the intelligent and “bright” students. Because of our intellect I think we're better off than the students in the mentioned studies. We know that we're intelligent and what we're capable of, encompassing, presumably, equally high expectations of ourselves as teachers.
“We are accustomed to thinking that a teacher's expectations for students will affect their performance, but we are less accustomed to thinking of the way students' expectations affect the performance of their teachers.”
That is a very interesting thought. I think you're right that the thought a student could influence their teacher's performance is generally a foreign one.
“Do you think it is unrealistic to think that the expectations of a single student could affect a teacher's performance in a particular classroom?”
I can recall when I used to think that it was, for lack of a better word, unrealistic; thankfully I've come to change my line of thought. When the end of my first semester was coming to an end, one my my professors and I had a conversation that overlapped this topic. Said professor expressed that as long as one student showed genuine interest and intellectual output “it's all worth it.” These two attributes are a big part in the driving force of teacher's will and performance; we all love it when someone shows passion in an area we love. During my time at ECU I've spend many hours conversing with my professors and I've seen this reflected many of times.
Not only would it be a pretty interesting contrast, but I believe if every student was aware that a single one of us can influence a teacher so greatly I think school would be a lot more interesting and intellectually simulating. We can't expect students to always be interested in their teacher's life work, but I think it would be a lot more common. We'd have to start young, and to make this even remotely possible we'd have to do more than tell the students which would require a reform of education; another topic for another day.
Of the two scenarios, rising to "only" meet the high expectations or surpassing the low expectations, I would much prefer to rise to the high expectations. I know that when people expect a lot out of me, they get what they ask for. If those expectations are not in place, it can be harder to accomplish much, because of the lack of direction. Most of the time, we meet whatever standards are set for us--whether they are very high, or if there are none at all. For instance, children whose parents set high expectations and standards for their behavior generally behave better than the ones who don't have those expectations.
ReplyDeleteChase is right...we will face this phenomenon as soon as class starts. Being Honors students will mark us out as being the better and smarter students. Therefore, everyone will expect us to perform accordingly, which will more than likely affect our academic performance. Also like Chase said, we know the expectations on us in advance, and we know what we are capable of accomplishing. This should give us the confidence to aim high in all we do.
I really appreciate what Chase said about the effect of students' expectations on teachers and the influence one person can have. It isn't something we think about much, but it is true. If we go into class with a good, positive attitude, ready and willing to work hard, it gives the teacher a reason to enjoy teaching: after all, the student wants him to be there! And if the teacher enjoys what he/she does, the lessons will be more enjoyable by default. The inverse is also true. If the students obviously don't want to be in class don't care how they perform, that will affect the teacher. He/she won't enjoy teaching as much, and it will be more of a drudgery for them, which would undoubtedly be reflected in the teacher's performance. And I definitely agree that, having taught workshops where this was exactly the case, if just one person shows genuine interest in what is being taught, "it's all worth it."
When it comes to whether or not I would like a high expectation placed upon me, I have to agree with Chase and Brittany. I would rather someone place a high expectation on me because I will try my hardest to not only meet those expectations but also exceed them. There is nothing like being able to achieve something that even those who think highest of you did not expect. I think that we most likely believe this way because we are people who want the best out of ourselves and are motivated people. For others who are not very confident in their academic ability to be given higher expectations could hinder their achievements because they would be afraid of failure even if they were completely qualified and capable of meeting those expectations.
ReplyDeleteI do think that the way students behave can affect how the teacher teaches as a whole. Since I am an incoming freshman I can only speak of my high school experiences, but I did have one teacher who had been teaching for 30+ years that told me that a couple other students and I had renewed her confidence in students today. She told us that our very small class made it worth it to teach her other classes throughout the day. I was fortunate enough to have her for two classes and you could see the change in the way she taught our non AP class. Like Chase and Brittany said, knowing that someone was listening made a difference in her enthusiasm in teaching.
On the other side of that situation there is the poor student who causes the teacher to teach down harming the other students in the classroom. I have been in this situation as well. There were two students in one of my high school classes that constantly aggravated the teacher by talking, sleeping in class, and flat out not caring for what she had to say. Because of these two students, this teacher became discouraged and stopped trying to teach the rest of us in the class. She later apologized saying, “I wish we could have done more, but with those two I couldn't bring myself to try.” This was one of the saddest statements I’ve heard. Because she had low expectations of just a couple of students in the classroom her quality of teaching was hindered.
Like Chase said, to change this sad phenomenon would “require a reform of education” but that is a “topic for another day.”
Kathryn Keiffer
I agree with all of the conclusions you have come to. I think it is important for people to have high standards for us, so we in return have high standards for ourselves. I personally have had similar experiences in high school, and it truly is sad to think that one negative attitude can affect so many innocent bystanders. I think it is comforting to know now that we will have many others just like us that really want to learn and have a lot of the same goals. This being said, we can have high expectations for each other to keep us all on our toes and help one another to be the best that we can be.
DeleteEmma Rolin
All my life, I have placed high expectations on myself. When others also expect me to achieve high things, it sometimes causes me extra stress. As much as I hate to disappoint myself when I don't reach my expectation, it's even worse when I don't meet someone else's expectation. In school and other areas, my mom was always there to comfort me and let me know I did my best because I would be so upset that I failed myself even though I hadn't failed her. My expectations exceeded hers. She was proud no matter how I did.
ReplyDeleteSo now, being an Honors student, there will be many expectations not only from my teachers but from other students. When people think of an Honors student, in essence, they think of someone who is a genius, who studies all the time, and someone who graduates with a 4.0 GPA. Now while those expectations may seem unrealistic, that's what I feel I'm going to have to live up to. Teachers will expect us to pay attention in class, do our assignments, and get good grades. They'll push us because they know we're capable of great things academically.
I think it is very possible for a student to affect a teacher's performance. I agree with the above comments that showing an interest in the class, being enthusiastic, or just being polite can affect a teacher's day in a positive way and the overall way they perform. I have taught piano lessons for 3 & 1/2 years and when my students come in excited, it's easier to teach them and I enjoy myself more than on the days when they come in worried or giving off the impression they don't care. In all my classes, I strive to be a student worth teaching. I want to be one of those students that the teacher remembers and appreciates. Because I appreciate the teacher for being willing to invest in my future and help me learn.
Ashlyn Angel
Honestly, I would rather surpass low expectations than be burdened with high expectations. As an Honors student I accept whatever it is people expect from me, but when faced with a choice I would pass on great expectations. There are a couple factors that go into this line of thinking. There is the aspect of disappointing someone who thinks you are capable of great things. No one likes to let people down. Also, some people perform poorly under pressure. And I think it's a bit unfair to blindly expect more of someone just because they are an Honors student. There are plenty of people outside of the Honors program that are very intelligent and capable of performing well in class. Just because you get an e-mail telling you that "John Doe" is an Honors student doesn't mean you should begin to shape an opinion of someone when provided no real context for who that person is.
ReplyDeleteMatthew Parham
I agree with Matthew. A lot of times I'd rather exceed low expectations than have the pressure of trying to meet high expectations. It is unfair to expect more from an Honors student. Teachers should expect greatness from all of their students, not just ones labeled as Honors students and therefore perceived to be smarter than other students.
ReplyDeleteAshlyn Angel
I agree with the posts earlier in this thread. I perform better when I know people expect great things from me. Without high expectations, I do not push myself to my full potential. I think some stress is a good thing and a great motivator.
ReplyDeleteI believe teachers perform better when their students have high expectations for them as well. In high school, I took an elective parenting class. This class was largely viewed as a blow off course by most of my peers, but as a future elementary education major and future mother, I was excited to absorb as much as I possibly could. On the first day of the semester, my fellow classmates talked through my teacher’s introduction and were absorbed in their phones while she explained our syllabus. I could see the poor woman’s frustration growing, as was my own. When she finished and asked if we had any questions, I raised my hand and asked for clarification even though, I did not really need it, because I wanted her to know that at least one of her students was paying attention. After that first day of class, I went to my teacher’s desk and asked several questions about the course and her experiences with children of different ages. By the end of that semester, I had learned far more than I thought I would, and I had truly enjoyed myself. My teacher worked through her frustration with the other students and attempted to give my class as many hands on projects as possible in order to engage the rest of the class because she knew I wanted to learn.
I know I am guilty of complaining about horrible, lazy, boring teachers, but I wonder how many of them could have been amazing if only I had changed my behavior towards them and their class.
Personally, I would rather professors have high expectations of my school work before I enter the class. It was that way all through high school, and I’ve found that I work much better under the pressure. Like Chase, Brittany and Katy, I would much rather be able to rise above the expectations that are held for me.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that in high school, when teachers had reputations for “easier” classes, the students’ attitudes upon entering the class did not expect much out of them, and as a result, the teacher gave them exactly what they expected because the students were unwilling to try anything else.
-Alexa Engles
I think that having high expectations for someone could encourage them to meet the goals, or it could cause pressure because that person could have a difficult time meeting them. If someone had low expectations for someone, it could be taken as an insult or a degradation, thus causing that person to think that they cannot live up to anything higher. However, this low expectation could be seen as an opportunity to prove the person wrong by surpassing their expectations. Personally, I would feel insulted if someone thought lower of me, but I would rise above it because I want to show them that I am better than what they had expected. I would like for people to have high expectations for me. It would make me feel like I had an obligation to meet those standards, but I would also know that I could do it. For me, it depends on the situation.
ReplyDeleteI personally would rather have lower expectations for me and perform above the expectations because when people have high expectations of me and I fail to meet those expectations then even if I did exceedingly well I will feel like a failure because I didn’t manage to do what was expected to me and in the end I am a people pleaser. With regard to if a single student can raise a teachers performance I think yes. Teachers are in schools to teach and if they are not meeting the expectations of their students and teaching as a student needs to be taught then I would think they would feel as if they had failed just like I would in their position. I have no personal experience with this though.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey Johnson
Okay would definitely have to say that I prefer you teachers to know I am an Honors student and to be presented with higher expectations because it pushes me to do my best. Yes, that comes with more pressure, but that pressure is only there to better myself as a student and an individual. I like to be challenged and if a teacher has low expectations of me then I do not think that is challenging at all. However, it would feel great to be complimented if I did surpass his or her low expectations, but I would feel even better and more accomplished if I received compliments on surpassing his or her high expectations.
ReplyDeleteKelsey Jackson
I meant "i" not okay.
ReplyDeleteKelsey