College Professor Problem.....Need Advice!!!!!!!!!!?

Question

I have a computer class and it is for 5 hours once a week. My professor usually lectures for and hour and the rest of class we are to work on the computer labs. This is a beginners course and the labs are step by step instructions. However, if there is a question or I need help, the professor is never in the classroom. He leaves and tells us to find him if needed. Is this right? I shouldn't have to chase my teacher around the school if I need help. Should I tell the Dean or a supervisor or suck it up until the end of semester in January?? I don't want him to know if I did make a complaint for fear of failure but when he isn't around I stop working and now am 3 weeks behind in work.

Answer 1

Unless he stays in his office nearby where he is readily accessible, he is seriously out of line. I can see where he would not want to seem to be looking over your shoulders all the time, but he should be nearby, and he should check in once every 20-30 minutes and ask if anyone needs help.

Can you talk to the head of the Computer Science Department about this? He is presumably being paid to teach for five hours. Ask to have your comments keep confidential before you say anything.

Good luck - this is NOT the way the class should be run!

Answer 2

You will have an opportunity at the end of the semester to fill out an anonymous questionnaire for the school (most schools do this...) but in the mean time, he should make himself more available to you. Is he going back to his office when he leaves? I think that he really should hang around for a bit longer especially after he lectures. Is anyone else having the same problem as you are?

I think you can safely go discuss this with someone on the higher end - perhaps they will respect your privacy and let the instructor know that students are indeed requesting that he be in the classroom more.

Maybe he is trying to get all of the students to kindof work together to figure things out?

Good luck

Answer 3

I had the same problem with an assistant prof. when I was in university many years ago. In the lab this prof. was usually in the building but hardly ever in the lab. He was always off helping the women students (flirting would be more truthful) in other labs than with the lab I was in.

Finally after about 5 or 6 weeks of trying to get help I came down on his case. We were the same age and both ex-servicemen. It turned very bad and I received the only "C" on my transcript in my major. He gave that only because of the insistence of the head of the dept. I am sure he would have given me an "F" if the dept. head had not intervened. I made sure I never took another course under this assistant prof. and we never got along anyway before or after this class, not even when we were taking the same class together.

Although it is upsetting, hold your tongue and work extra hard to get and keep caught up, even if you have to hire someone to help you through the course. After the grades are posted for that class then file a complaint with the dept. head explaining the profs lack of availability and help.

Answer 4

If it's put you that behind, you should definitely tell your teacher about your concerns. If he doesn't do anything about it, or tells you to stop complaining, then tell the Dean about this, or someone with authority.

A teacher is there to teach, and should always be available to the students if they need help. Or at least, he should tell his students where he is, and should never stray too far from the classroom. Its horrible of him to make students chase him down! If you don't want your teacher to know about your complaint, then tell the Dean and ask him to keep you anonymous.
It's necessary for your education that you solve this neglectful teacher problem - not to mention, there are probably other students in your class that have the same opinions as you!

Answer 5

Eh - tough situation. If the labs you are doing are on the computer with instructions, then he probably doesn't have to be in the classroom at all times. Have you tried to find him when you need help? If he's just in the next room this shouldn't be a problem; however, if he isn't nearby and your work is suffering because of his absence, I'd notify a supervisor.

Professor's are supposed to be available for their students - in fact, most schools pride themselves on outside of classroom availability. I'd check to see where he is when he leaves the room, and if he really is inaccessible - take it to the Dean.

Good luck!

Answer 6

It is entirely inappropriate for you to do ANYTHING about your crush until the semester is over and your final grade is submitted. Your relationship should remain strictly teacher-student until the class is over. However, you can ask him, in a friendly way, about his trip, did he go to see family, friends, a girlfriend... and let him supply the information he wants to share. If he hints at any sort of significant other, back off. During the final week, make sure to find out when his office hours are, so you can visit and find out when he has submitted your final grade. Once your grade is no longer in his control, then your teacher-student relationship can end and you can make a move (and NOT before - remember, flirting with a student could seriously damage his career, and it's not fair to put him in that situation). Ask if he'd like to go out for coffee or something... or ask how you can maintain your fluency now that you've finsihed the class... see if you have any hobbies or interests in common... I'm sorry to say it, but it probably won't work out. He is significantly older than you, and his home is in France, so it's likely that his interests and needs are far different from yours. Be prepared for that, and for any rejection you may face. But once the class is over, feel free to pursue the relationship anyway - there may be yet another lesson here to learn, and one that can only be learned from experience.

Answer 7

Well the fact that you are behind in your class probably isn't the professors fault...whether he's there or night. He should however let you know where he is going to be for the entire class period because he should be accessible at all times during the class period to answer questions. I would speak up because you're the one paying A LOT of money to go to college and you need to get every pennys worth. I would talk to the professor himself first though and simply ask WHERE to find him so if you have a question you'll know where to go.

Answer 8

Well you did say that the labs were "step by step instructions," so maybe he thought that it would be easy. I agree you should not have to chase your instructor. Maybe you should visit him in office hours and explaing to him that you need him to be in class, because you sometimes have questions. You could also ask a friend in class if they understand it better.

Answer 9

Professors are not usually around during lab hours - that's what office hours are for. If you have a question, ask the lab attendant or see your professor on his office hours.

Answer 10

You have 2 choices...wait till the end of the semester to fill out an anoynoys evaluation. or go speak to either the student dean or the faculty dean. explain that you would like the situation to remain anonymous.