Am I allowed to be angry at my professor?

Question

just transferred schools from California to NY, and stressing to move along and catch up with my classes (which I have successfully done up until today), my professor decided to yell at me. There was a paper that for the life of me I could not get to. And we are allowed to bring our laptops to class, but I suppose I shouldn't have abused that right to use it and make an outline for the other class. Thing is in this class, a film class, and I'm a literature major (although that shouldn't handicap me) I'm always lost. But I'm telling you transferring and adjusting hasn't allowed me to do much and I'm barely catching up. So while making notes during the lecture and this is a small room. The professor rises out of her chair and she literally raises her voice at me, "Are you writing notes for another class!? Or are you not paying attention to the lecture!??" And then launches herself into a 5 minute scolding as to whatnot. about paying attention. There I was ready to cry. So should i be mad

Answer 1

Blow it off, she may just be a b*tch. But don't take notes for other classes in her class anymore either.

Answer 2

Most of my professors take the approach that 1) they know students are goofing around on their laptops during class and 2) this really only hurts that student because they're missing out on the lecture (or whatever activity you're doing). Only one of my professors has made the "if I catch you goofing around on the internet, I'll ban laptops" policy. But they all know exactly who is listening and who is not, and usually they'll just call on you when they think you're not paying attention. Most of my professors are pretty cool about it. For example, in one of my classes, some guy in the front row was surfing the internet during a lecture. This particular professor had a habit of pacing up and down the aisles. As he walks past this guy, he says, "You do know you're supposed to close your internet browser windows when I walk past, don't you?" He embarrassed the student without coming across as a jerk.

My guess is that your professor is either really anal retentive or is just sick and tired of dealing with students being checked out of the class. I'd have more sympathy for her reaction if the latter were the case.

I don't use a laptop in class, although I used to use one. Frankly, the temptation to do other things is too great and, even if you are taking notes, you tend to check out and turn into a court stenographer. I found that it didn't help my understanding of the material. Additionally, when the people around me are surfing the internet or IMing people sitting right next to them (what is that all about? Can't you wait until after class), I find it really distracting. I tend to sit in the front of the room just so I don't have to look at all of their screens.

So, to answer your question: do you have a right to be mad? Maybe, but not really. Sure, your prof could have handled it better, but you should have been paying attention.

Answer 3

I think the professor should have spoken to you after class... A teacher, at any level, should never humiliate a student.

That being said... your actions were disrespectful to the professor's time and class. You're an adult learner now and your professors want to trust and treat you that way. Working on an assignment for another class, right in front of their face, is inconsiderate. If you really needed to work, you should have just decided to stay home and work on your project.

You're going to have to be very careful now, because you don't want this incident to effect your GPA/grade. This professor is probably going to really scrutinize your work, because they feel like they can't trust you to do the right thing.

Answer 4

You said you were guilty. She used you as example of what you should not do in her class. She did not say, according to your story, that using your laptop was not acceptable for taking notes. So next time use your laptop for purposes of the class you are in at the time. Should you get mad at your teacher? Yes and no. She might have been able to handle it differently. You were wrong, and the moving and stress you were going through caused you to make a mistake. Learn and move on with your studies. Good luck in your classes.

Answer 5

Of course you are allowed to be angry. You have the right to feel anyway you want to, handling your emotions is the key. While your professor handled this situation inappropriately, she was right to be indignant when you were there basically wasting yours and hers time. I would send her an email apologizing, and perhaps explaining to her how your adjustment has been difficult and don't let this sort of thing happen again.