The Day after Midterm Exam (期中考過後)

這一週剛舉行完統計期中考, 根據助教的說法是, 學生們"哀鴻遍野".


考試的目的有很多, 其中之一是為了提供學生唸書的誘因, 再者 (也是比較現實的), 是為了決定學習成績是否通過 (pass or fail). 然而對我來說, 考試最重要的目的是幫助學生學習, 幫助學生檢視自己對於課程內容的了解程度.


因此, 我並不是在測驗學生, 也無意考倒學生, 而是希望透過考題跟學生進行一場對話. 我期待學生在寫我的統計考卷時, 有那種跟球王費德勒捉對廝殺的快感, 而不是單純地跟冷冰冰的發球機對打. 當我費盡腦汁思考如何出一張精彩的考卷, 我也期待學生能夠從這份考題得到樂趣, 我期盼學生被愛司球 (Ace) 轟得灰頭土臉時, 也能打從心中驚呼一聲: "阿, 真是一記好球!"


能夠打敗費神固然可喜可賀, 但是只要你跟著教練按部就班地做暖身操, 體能訓練, 揮空拍, 對打練習等, 然後裝備齊全地上場打球, 就算敗在費神手下並不稀奇, 也不可恥, 至少拿一座"最佳精神獎", 快快樂樂閃人.


但是如果你疏於練習, 然後手持羽球拍, 穿著藍白拖上場打球, 還癡心妄想期待不會被主審踢出場, 那恐怕就不太妙了啦.


最近讀到一則跟教學有關的文字 (by Steven G. Krantz):

"The principal guiding rule when you teach a class is to treat people the way that you want to be treated. This precept entails preparing your lessons well, going to class with a good attitude, treating everyone with dignity and respect, going out of your way to be helpful, and exerting every effort to be fair and evenhanded."

那句 "[t]he principal guiding rule when you teach a class is to treat people the way that you want to be treated." 說得真好! 每一個老師都應該謹記在心. 當然這是 vice versa. 學生也該做如下思考: "[t]he principal guiding rule when you take a course is to study the way that you expect from your students."


Well, I will keep doing my best, and wish my stuednts will do their best as well.