Re: A quick question for college students about encouragment
 

Also, mention possible "extra credit" that she might do.

Re: A quick question for college students about encouragment
 

FYI - Jason is the teacher. He's asking if it's OK to give a student this note (see the XOXO - Jason, at the end of his letter).

I still wouldn't write it like that. It's phrased a bit harsh.

Re: A quick question for college students about encouragment
 

Do you think being harsh will encourage him? You don't want to come across too saccharine - let him know that you mean business.

Re: A quick question for college students about encouragment
 

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simply is not and will not be acceptable.

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This just sounds harsh to me. "This level of effort will not get you a C" is ok. "This level of effort will not get the job done" is ok. Its hard to describe, but your wording sounds more like a parental lecture than a professor informing his student what his work is worth.

Re: A quick question for college students about encouragment
 

put something about how the student could be suceeding, if you just say "youre a lazy piece of [censored], you call that effort?" it wont go over well and is discouraging. it needs to be ecouraging and with an upside, but at the same time unsatisfied with the work. not just "you suck".

Re: A quick question for college students about encouragment
 

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I'd be fine, as long as I had also cultivated a faculty member to pick-me-up.

I like the tripartite arrangement---one to kick your ass, one to explain your ass and one to kiss your ass.

However, its also not professor's jobs to be particularly encouraging. Presumedly people in college can try all by themselves.

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So perhaps I'm being to idealistic and caring about their performance too much? I'm pretty passionate about teaching so it's hard not to have concern for my students.

Re: A quick question for college students about encouragment
 

I think caring about their performance is awesome---but its your call, not your responsibility.

I like the wording of your note, sans the [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], because the last thing college kids in America need is more coddling. I hate to sound like a conservative jackass spouting off about individual responsibility, but in the academic realm its sorely lacking.

I think a short, curt note explaining that the current level is unacceptable is a step beyond what many will do, but a very fair gesture.

Re: A quick question for college students about encouragment
 

We're talking about an upper level course in the students major, so I don't think Jason's being too harsh. You would think in ~3 years of college the student would have a decent idea of the kind of work he needs to produce. If this were an intro class, I would think he should be a bit gentler.

Re: A quick question for college students about encouragment
 

Jason, don't forget about me!

Re: A quick question for college students about encouragment
 

Make it more like "the effort you put into this solution set is well below your capabilities and my expectations.."