Mid-Term is over

Mid-term exams are complete. My exam results are as I expected.

My students did not fare so well. I did have 5 students with A scores. Unfortunately, I had a 39% class failure rate. That is not to say they all received F's. That was only 21%. The university considers any score below 72.5% failing. After discussions with other instructors I have learned the failure rate in my class is normal. Data Structures/Algorithms Analysis is a third year course and should not be overly difficult so I am at a loss to explain such a high failure rate. Since I am assured my rate is no higher than any other I suppose I will accept it as the students' fault.

Chao Lei is talking very much now. Well... not talking, but making sounds. To watch him though, he seems confident he is saying something intelligent. Last night Lt stood him next to the table. It is something Little One enjoys doing. After Lt turned away he let go of the table. I launched myself across the table to catch him when he fell but he did not. It surprised both of us. He did not stand long but it seems he has learned sitting is better than falling. Am I able to count that as his first time standing? lol

Now we return to normal days. At the least for another 8 weeks. Then we will face finals. Oh boy. ◔_◔

What did he say?

This morning Chao Lei had a long conversation gripe session with me. Perhaps it was because I was busy preparing for the day so only payed him minimum attention. So long as I looked to him he chatted quite calmly but when I looked away he would raise his voice. I would not have thought a seven months old baby would know to raise his voice for attention.

He has not seen this demonstrated in our house. Perhaps it is behavior learned at daycare. I do not see what reason there would be to raise your voice in the presence of babies though. It cannot be tv. It is not on when Chao Lei is in the room. I have read articles such as THIS ONE that say tv is not good for babies. Lt is not always happy for this rule but Chao Lei is first in consideration.

I was preparing for school but there were no classes to teach and only additional research was to be done. Given Chao Lei's behavior this morning, I thought it best to remain with him. The behavior seemed much like insecurity to me so I will remain with him for the day and we will enjoy each other's company. It will be a better day than planned.

What day could be better than time spent with one you love and who loves you?

Mid-terms

There is one week until mid-terms. Strangely, it is not my mid-terms that I have anxiety for. I know my subject well. I have studied intently and am well prepared.

My anxiety is for students who endured much studying under a inexperienced teacher; I am that teacher. Part of my studies is to teach. It is strange to think of it. To study, I must teach. It is the portion I am most uncomfortable with.

I suppose it is clearer to say it is not the teaching per se I am uncomfortable with. It is more the evaluations of students. Is it not an evaluation of me as a teacher? I have done my best to give all the information that is required but if a student did not receive it, do I not share in the failure? It was my place to ensure they did. If they did not, I failed to teach them. I understand there are some students who do not apply themselves. I also understand some have greater difficulty absorbing information in a class room but are very adept in learning through doing. Still...

Another question is will I evaluate their work effectively? It is my habit when working that facts are only necessary. Sometimes this is not received well. In my past when evaluating input given by another I have given only the facts without softening them. I did not see this as necessary. Surely they would know it was a fair and reasonable evaluation. I do not wish to be kibishii sensei or strict teacher as already I have been named by one student. I also do not wish to be too easy either.

It is my hope that I, and those who endured me, learn from this time; me to be a better teacher and them to know their field well.