I'd like to take a moment to discuss a heinous method of teaching: the minimalist approach (I just made up that phrase). This is the reason I've been on the war path. I won't name names. I'll hate the sin...not the sinner.
Grievance #1: I have a professor who comes to class and lectures based only on powerpoints. He hasn't made any revisions in his slides nor made the effort to remove the slides he tells us to cross out. He took the pre-made slides from the publisher and has been using those ever since. I. Hate. That. Lecture slides are useful to a point. Chalkboards are my preferred method of teaching. Also white boards. They induce people to take notes.
If your teacher only says what is already written in your book then your tuition should be dropped down to the price of the text.
Grievance #2: This teacher shows up late every single lecture. The other day I walked out of class to get a drink just before class was supposed to start. As I was walking, I saw my professor saunter on into the building dressed in his winter gear. He was just arriving. Some professors take time before lecture to actually prepare. He didn't even start class until five minutes after the hour. That is a regular occurrence.
Grievance #3: This is the big one. I asked him twice about looking at two of my questions from our last test. He delayed until finally telling me to just turn in my test for him to look at. I did so. Later that day he sent an e-mail telling students he reserved the right to review the entire test to make sure he felt "comfortable" with all questions that were graded. He advised against submitting for a regrade because students might end up with lower scores than they were originally given. Wait, what? Is it just me or does it seem like this guy is trying to discourage people from asking questions. In his defense, maybe he's working on beating his personal best at solitaire during his office hours.
He is not a powerful teacher. I hate that I payed to get a letter on my transcript and an expensive book on my shelf. I would rather have learned something.
Also, if he lowers my score I won't be held responsible for the things I say...after the final.
I think you should notify a higher authority than him of his behaviors. I think that is rather unacceptable and he knows he's doing a crumby job. You are paying him for his service. Just like in the real world, if you're not satisfied, you let 'em know! Get the problem changed. That's my opinion. Good luck!
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