![[Signifying Nothing]](/local/memlogo-1.png "Welcome to Signifying Nothing")
Nick on the unbearable lightness of office hours:
Another office hours, another students-not-showing-up-even-though-they-emailed me. I will resolve to no longer be surprised if this happens.
My modal office hours visitation score over my career is zero. The mean isn’t much higher, although I find amazing bursts of interest when I’ve passed out take-home exams or have a research paper due, particularly in my research methods classes.
That said, I am not complaining about this state of affairs (beyond the fact that it ties me to my desk at times I might otherwise choose not to be so tied), although I encourage the movement of most potential student meetings to email; as my ex-boss repeatedly points out, with appropriate Internet-shouting emphasis, WORK IS WHAT WE DO BETWEEN MEETINGS.
![[Permalink]](/images/permalink.png "Permanent link to this entry"){kind=small}
Recent posts
![[The GIMP]](/buttons/gimp.png "The GIMP"){kind=small}
![[Steal These Buttons!]](/buttons/steal.png "Steal These Buttons!"){kind=small}
2 comments:
I should have clarified: the students in question emailed me so we could discuss the horribly unfair grades I gave them on the midterm. The students here seem remarkably risk-acceptant (it costs them nothing to ask for more points, and some TAs will actually give them), and it was very much in their interest to show up: that’s why I was surprised.
And dude, I cannot read the words they’re asking me to type.
Office hours are outdated, as they come from an era before email and before students worked so that their schedules are all over the place. The vast majority of my discussions with students take place at designated times we determine over email.
Nick: I’ve had the same happen numerous times, and my guess is that coming in person carries some cost because you have to sit before the prof or TA in person and beg, whereas email is faceless and easy. So ultimately many decide it’s not worth it.