I discovered recently that one colleague has been taking up to 4 hours to prepare for each 1 hour session of teaching they do.
So, at present a total of 15 sessions [per week] x 4 = 60 hours + 15 hours teaching + meetings + marking + tutorials+ research = one very tired colleague who should not presume they will be teaching the same modules next academic year.
I admire their...constitution.
Somebody should have a word. Their line manager perhaps? I suspect they have, but such is the pressure today of observation and judgement, and the fact that money owing from previous studies needs to be paid back...
The wheel is round for a reason.
Last week I was asked to complete a session for a colleague. No problem. Glad to help out. The 'mountain' of paperwork given to students to complete the task was extremely impressive, including tables, pictures, references and so forth.
Basically it gave them the answers.
It did not require much from the student.
Is this a problem?
The marks will probably be absurdly high for each student. They will receive a high grade for their completed essays.
Is this fair to the students? Probably not. Is this fair to other colleagues? Well...
I want my students to think for themselves, I encourage them to do exactly that. We learn from our mistakes, don't we?
I still want to get better at what I do.
So do my students.
However, I wonder if some departments feel they cannot afford to continue to do this for much longer.
Results, and good results at that, will be expected in a consumer driven agenda from next year.
How many then I wonder will be forced down the same route as my burnt out colleague?
