Why don't college student ask their instructors for help, instead of students who might be just as confused?

Question

I am a college instructor, and as this semester is winding down, I find myself very frustrated at the problems I am getting with the last few papers. I make every effort to explain the assignment clearly both in the assignment sheet and in class, but still students turn in assignments that are very different from my expectations (APA style instead of MLA, which I understand for the first few papers, but this is the end of the semester, for example).

One student, who I have had in several classes, told me recently that he wasn't sure about the assignment and asked some of his friends in the class. He (and them!) did the assignment wrong.

I frequently tell my students to ask me if they have a question, either during my office hours or by email, but they don't. Any suggestions or explanations?

I would like to add that I am a graduate teaching assistant, so I'm not "counting any wages." I want my students to leave my class knowing how to write and to feel comfortable and confidant with their writing skills.

Homeboy, perhaps you've been burned by uncaring instructors, but there are those of us out here who really do care.

What is a "Plus/Delta," ksf23us?

Answer 1

You could do a Plus/Delta at the end of class for students to write things that were helpful and things that were unclear so at the next meeting you could address specific questions. This would be anonymous, so they wouldn't directly have to come to you, which can make some students nervous; especially if they are freshmen. I use a simpler version with 4th graders. They know that anything they need to tell me privately goes on a sticky note on my desk.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what the answer to this is, yet my daughter is in her third year, she continually runs into the problem of instructors or professors giving an indifferent attitude (they seem somewhat jaded) and some even give a 10 percent reduction in grade if they receive emails in regards to an assignment or asking questions during class hour. Perhaps this discourages some students..........keep hounding them into coming to you......that's your job, not their peers, or they would be the one's instructing..

Answer 3

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Im sorry im sorry!!!!, i was only testing to see if you were a real teacher. well i have some questions. Would you please answer? Ok. How hard is college? How hard are the pre-med classes? I am not really talented at writing essays, what should i do? I never got a grade higher than a "C" in my high school classes. But, the funny thing is that you could throw a calculus problem at me, and i'll solve it like that! I am currently a senior looking forward to college life.Can you please answer? Thanks!