Classroom Rant

[rwyatt365]

OK, so I'm taking this 3-week class to help me pass the PMP Certification Test and within an hour I remember why I hate being in "school" so much. It's not the subject, or the instructor – it's the STUDENTS! What a bunch of total asses!! Below is a list of the "types" that I have to suffer through in this class, add your own if you so desire;

The Nitpicker; takes whatever the instructor says and finds some reason why some aspect of it (no matter how minute) is at fault. Takes great delight in finding and uncovering error, typos, or inconsistencies – no matter how trivial. You can recognize a Nitpicker by their opening phrase, "Um, Professor…".

The Repeater; asks the same question that was just asked, and answered. The Repeater is either napping, day-dreaming, or otherwise not paying attention to the classroom dialog, otherwise they would know that the brilliant question they just framed was answered 5 minutes ago.

The Over-Thinker; if awards were given for answering questions, the Over-Thinker would get the award for Most Exhaustive. The Over-Thinker takes a simple, generic question to the ultimate, extreme ends of supposition and conjecture thus missing the entire point of the original question (and totally side-tracking the instruction). The Over-Thinker can be recognized by the opening phrase, "But what if…"

The Intelligista; where the Over-Thinker is like a strategic bomber of the classroom - lumbering high overhead ready to "saturate bomb" the class with excessive answers – the Intelligista is like a strike fighter, zooming in with all armament blazing. His intent is to obliterate the instructor (and any innocent classmates – collateral damage) with surgeon-like precision. Success is measured by the number of confused and awe-struck students, extra points for doing the same to the instructor.

The Arguer; combine a Nitpicker with an Intelligista and you have an Arguer. Like the Nitpicker, the Arguer revels in finding fault but he is not content with pointing out the error. No, the Arguer goes "straight for the jugular" in an attempt to prove that his point is the only valid point. Like the Intelligista, the Arguer's aim is straight and true, and woe unto anyone that crosses into his sights – the result will not be pretty.

The Dolt; comprises the bulk of the class. They have no clue whatsoever about what is being taught (some aren't even aware that there is a class). The Dolt's main function is to maintain temperature equilibrium in the room, providing a living heat-sink for the HVAC system. You can always tell when there are not enough Dolts in the room because the temperature will either be too hot, or too cold.

[mind_wander]

OK, so I'm taking this 3-week class to help me pass the PMP Certification Test and within an hour I remember why I hate being in "school" so much. It's not the subject, or the instructor – it's the STUDENTS! What a bunch of total asses!! Below is a list of the "types" that I have to suffer through in this class, add your own if you so desire;

The Nitpicker; takes whatever the instructor says and finds some reason why some aspect of it (no matter how minute) is at fault. Takes great delight in finding and uncovering error, typos, or inconsistencies – no matter how trivial. You can recognize a Nitpicker by their opening phrase, "Um, Professor…".

The Repeater; asks the same question that was just asked, and answered. The Repeater is either napping, day-dreaming, or otherwise not paying attention to the classroom dialog, otherwise they would know that the brilliant question they just framed was answered 5 minutes ago.

The Over-Thinker; if awards were given for answering questions, the Over-Thinker would get the award for Most Exhaustive. The Over-Thinker takes a simple, generic question to the ultimate, extreme ends of supposition and conjecture thus missing the entire point of the original question (and totally side-tracking the instruction). The Over-Thinker can be recognized by the opening phrase, "But what if…"

The Intelligista; where the Over-Thinker is like a strategic bomber of the classroom - lumbering high overhead ready to "saturate bomb" the class with excessive answers – the Intelligista is like a strike fighter, zooming in with all armament blazing. His intent is to obliterate the instructor (and any innocent classmates – collateral damage) with surgeon-like precision. Success is measured by the number of confused and awe-struck students, extra points for doing the same to the instructor.

The Arguer; combine a Nitpicker with an Intelligista and you have an Arguer. Like the Nitpicker, the Arguer revels in finding fault but he is not content with pointing out the error. No, the Arguer goes "straight for the jugular" in an attempt to prove that his point is the only valid point. Like the Intelligista, the Arguer's aim is straight and true, and woe unto anyone that crosses into his sights – the result will not be pretty.

The Dolt; comprises the bulk of the class. They have no clue whatsoever about what is being taught (some aren't even aware that there is a class). The Dolt's main function is to maintain temperature equilibrium in the room, providing a living heat-sink for the HVAC system. You can always tell when there are not enough Dolts in the room because the temperature will either be too hot, or too cold.
Since you make this lovely long list to all of us to know. So which one do you fit in? Hmm, I wonder. I guess, I fit in the Intelligista, but I am mostly silent all the time.

[rwyatt365]

Since you make this lovely long list to all of us to know. So which one do you fit in? Hmm, I wonder. I guess, I fit in the Intelligista, but I am mostly silent all the time.
We all know that INTJs don’t fit any of those categories, we are;

Omniscient Ones; who often sit in the back of the room, observing, evaluating, understanding. There is generally only one Omniscient One per class, sometimes only one per institution. The Omniscient One is the only stabilizing force in the classroom, and instructors lucky enough to have one rely on Omniscient Ones to exert their considerable psycho-kinetic influence to reign in the destructive elements in the class through sheer force of will. Of course the Omniscient Ones rarely, if ever, reveal their presence wishing to remain anonymous and undetected – for the good of mankind.

[wise]

Since you make this lovely long list to all of us to know. So which one do you fit in? Hmm, I wonder. I guess, I fit in the Intelligista, but I am mostly silent all the time.
We all know that INTJs don’t fit any of those categories, we are;

Omniscient Ones; who often sit in the back of the room, observing, evaluating, understanding. There is generally only one Omniscient One per class, sometimes only one per institution. The Omniscient One is the only stabilizing force in the classroom, and instructors lucky enough to have one rely on Omniscient Ones to exert their considerable psycho-kinetic influence to reign in the destructive elements in the class through sheer force of will. Of course the Omniscient Ones rarely, if ever, reveal their presence wishing to remain anonymous and undetected – for the good of mankind.

Yeah, right!! ;)

[mind_wander]

Since you make this lovely long list to all of us to know. So which one do you fit in? Hmm, I wonder. I guess, I fit in the Intelligista, but I am mostly silent all the time.
We all know that INTJs don’t fit any of those categories, we are;

Omniscient Ones; who often sit in the back/front/middle of the room, observing, evaluating, understanding. There is generally only one Omniscient One per class, sometimes only one per institution. The Omniscient One is the only stabilizing force in the classroom, and instructors lucky enough to have one rely on Omniscient Ones to exert their considerable psycho-kinetic influence to reign in the destructive elements in the class through sheer force of will. Of course the Omniscient Ones rarely, if ever, reveal their presence wishing to remain anonymous and undetected – for the good of mankind.
I had to add this in there because I sit normally in the front or middle row; since INTJ's pretty much felt like sitting wherever and whenever. Don't you think, we are considered the hidden Omniscient One's because I am like the only one[by my knowledge] in class :( Still can tolerate with other people around me.

[Panthera]

I absolutely HATE the intelligistas. (no offense mind-wander ;)) I had to transfer out a class once because of this know it all. Actually there were two of those in the class of about 50, but by the second class one of them was the obvious dominant one. I was so close to actually opening my mouth in front of the entire class just to tell him to shut his yap. He answered questions that the instructor didn't even ask. God help me if I am ever like that. As a teacher I can vouch that these types are the most irritating types of students. they want to show that they know the answer before the question is even asked. and 99 times out of 100 they are so far off base. this is when the evil part of me kicks in and i give them the look (i am sure you all know what *look* i'm talking about) that says "you are so incredibly stupid" but it is not for giving the wrong answer. they are stupid for thinking that i wouldn't be able to see through their feeble attempts to make themselves look like they know something.

[thegnat]

The Questioner: No matter *what* they *never* fail to have a question no matter how stupid the question is. (yes there ARE stupid questions). For example they'll ask the professor about what they said *at the beginning of the class*. They'll ask questions late - about something that we went over 20 minutes ago.

The Late Questioner: They arrive late and feel the need to ask the professor about things - the reason they're asking questions is because...they were late! They feel the need to ask about the material that they missed!

The Dolt Questioner: These are the ones that ask the really stupid questions. The ones about material 20 minutes ago, just in general really idiotic questions that rarely have much at all to do with the topic or are so basic you're shocked they're being asked.

The Ultimate Answerer: They never fail to have an answer - and they're always right. Omniscient ones might know the answer but these feel the need to show that they know the answer in front of the whole class. These would be Smart Questioners but don't often ask the questions themselves. (I used to be this one in high school - it saved my math teacher's sanity actually because she knew that at least *someone* knew what they were doing in class - she even told me that after class one day. My class had a lot of Dolts in it who asksed Dolt questions and said Dolt Answers oh man that slowed down the pace immensely).

The Dolt Answerer: These also have answers for everything - they're just always wrong. They answer 5 minutes after the question has been asked. (one person did this in Spanish in High School). They make the professor groan and say "maybe you really don't know x (which you should know)"

The Smartass: They want points for making the class laugh. They'll make smartass remarks about what the prof is doing/has said. loud enough for the class to hear, soft enough for the prof not to make out what they said.

I think that's enough for now...

[mind_wander]

I absolutely HATE the intelligistas. (no offense mind-wander ;)) I had to transfer out a class once because of this know it all. Actually there were two of those in the class of about 50, but by the second class one of them was the obvious dominant one. *I was so close to actually opening my mouth in front of the entire class just to tell him to shut his yap. He answered questions that the instructor didn't even ask. *God help me if I am ever like that. *As a teacher I can vouch that these types are the most irritating types of students. *they want to show that they know the answer before the question is even asked. *and 99 times out of 100 they are so far off base. *this is when the evil part of me kicks in and i give them the look (i am sure you all know what *look* i'm talking about) that says "you are so incredibly stupid" but it is not for giving the wrong answer. they are stupid for thinking that i wouldn't be able to see through their feeble attempts to make themselves look like they know something.
Uh, ever tried to question the Intelligistas, yeah they will flipped out when you proved them wrong. INTJ's got that skill, honestly without holding back their guards. We see the view, multi-lateral, while Intelligistas, sees it directly or whats in front of them. So, yeah I kinds know what you mean, plus I don't take offense on your comment. I thought, we fall along the lines of Intelligistas, because we are intelligent, right?

But, the one I do dislike, is when someone trying to cut off INTJ's comments. That is so rude, but this is common anywhere in public sense; not really offended. I get that alot, ok "INTJ turned to talk in class", then someone fool steps in and cut you off. So that means, you don't want my input. Ok, if you guys are heading off toward the wrong direction, don't complain to me about. Apparently, no one wants to listen to the helpful advice from an INTJ.

[rwyatt365]

The Questioner: *No matter *what* they *never* fail to have a question no matter how stupid the question is. *(yes there ARE stupid questions). *For example they'll ask the professor about what they said *at the beginning of the class*. *They'll ask questions late - about something that we went over 20 minutes ago. *

The Late Questioner: *They arrive late and feel the need to ask the professor about things - the reason they're asking questions is because...they were late! *They feel the need to ask about the material that they missed!

The Dolt Questioner: *These are the ones that ask the really stupid questions. *The ones about material 20 minutes ago, just in general really idiotic questions that rarely have much at all to do with the topic or are so basic you're shocked they're being asked.

The Ultimate Answerer: *They never fail to have an answer - and they're always right. *Omniscient ones might know the answer but these feel the need to show that they know the answer in front of the whole class. *These would be Smart Questioners but don't often ask the questions themselves. (I used to be this one in high school - it saved my math teacher's sanity actually because she knew that at least *someone* knew what they were doing in class - she even told me that after class one day. My class had a lot of Dolts in it who asksed Dolt questions and said Dolt Answers oh man that slowed down the pace immensely).

The Dolt Answerer: These also have answers for everything - they're just always wrong. They answer 5 minutes after the question has been asked. (one person did this in Spanish in High School). *They make the professor groan and say "maybe you really don't know x (which you should know)"

The Smartass: *They want points for making the class laugh. *They'll make smartass remarks about what the prof is doing/has said. *loud enough for the class to hear, soft enough for the prof not to make out what they said.

I think that's enough for now...
Oh, I forgot about those flavors of questioner, especially the Late Questioner. If I had a anti-peronnel mine, that one would be my first choice of target.

In some regards though, I question ( ;) ) the instructor for allowing that one to interrupt the class by acknowledging their questions. If I were the teacher I would tell them, "If you were here you would know the answer to that. Stay after class and I'll answer all of your questions."

[mind_wander]

Hey, in any environment has that. Oh well.

[blueback]

Well, I think the students have been bashed long enough. What about the instructors? Here's my list:

The King of the Hill - This instructor is convinced that their only job is to confirm that you managed to teach the subject to yourself by reading the entire textbook before you came to class. They will show up to pre-test review sessions with out a review and expect you to ask them questions. If everyone in the entire course gets the same question wrong in the same way they will assume everyone is stupid, rather than admit that they failed to instruct properly or that the question might be worded poorly. Basically, shit rolls down hill and they are the only one at the top.

The Roman - This instructor is only teaching the subject because there weren't enough people who actually studied it. They pulled this instructor in from a field that might be related, and he might have seen the material before, but he pretty much relies on a pre-prepared lesson plan to teach the subject. You will know his guy (or gal) because they have a really hard time answering questions and they try to do everything in this subject the same way they did it in their subject. Basically, he's a Roman who isn't in Rome but thinks that everyone should do things his way.

The Well - This instructor likes to come to class without a plan for teaching it. They are such an expert on the subject that they can take a couple learning objectives and spin them into an entire class period. They are often incredibly sarcastic because the subject is like pure glass to them and they can't understand why the stupid, lazy students can't see through it too. Basically, they are the source of all wisdom on this topic but you have to go to them, they're not coming to you.

[mind_wander]

I have the all the above. What about easier teachers? Here is the step by process, but its like a shortcut manual for INTJs.

[rwyatt365]

Well, I think the students have been bashed long enough. *What about the instructors? *Here's my list:


Good list, how 'bout;
The Ivory Tower – "Education is for the educated" is their byline. They only deign to hold classes to fulfill the requirements of the position that they hold. Students are expected to obtain knowledge through osmosis and not through any actual transmission of information. Their credo is, "I'm up here, and you're down there – so there."

The Lech(er) – The student "body" is their candy shop and students are there for their sampling. Grades are given as an inverse relationship to skirt length with a multiplier based on garment elasticity (extra points for spandex). Members of the opposite sex are always grouped to the front (or inverted as necessary). And the course subtitle should always be "Innuendo and Plausible Deniability".

The Barbarian – Similar to the Roman, in that they don't really have a clue about the subject matter and relies on prepared lesson plans and notes. Unlike the Roman, the Barbarian is so displaced from their 'homeland' that they are confused and bewildered and unable to relay any useful information. This classroom deteriorates quickly into a collection of clashing (student-run) 'city-states' vying for control of the class. Upside – everyone passes. Downside – no one learns.

[thegnat]

The Power-Pointer: All they do is read their power point. Most likely in such a monotone that puts you to sleep.

The Just-Came-Over-To-Your-Country: You can hardly understand what they say because it's such a thick accent. Generally speak really fast, too. Notes have to be taken at warp speed. And they're generally geniuses.

The "I did this in grad school, you can do this in undergrad!": Expects students to pull off feats of productivity with the work load they give you. Generally act like they're the only class and/or thing you're doing. Or they just have no idea what to be able to expect from students and give you waaay too much work. Pound you all at once.

[Rei]

rwyatt365: I almost thought you were going to get a PIMP certification...



On my good days: Omniscient
On my bad days: Dolt
On my very bad days where I'm living off caffine: Over-Thinker
In classes where my Professor is an absolute dim-wit: Nitpicker
(though I rarely actually voice these discontents. I usually log onto the wi-fi internet and start telling some buddies about the funny stupid things my prof is doing =] )
I hate anyone who asks questions whether they're stupid or a repeat or take WAY too long understanding the answer.
To be crude... Dude, if you're dumb, ASK AFTER CLASS AND STOP WASTING MY TIME!

[rwyatt365]

rwyatt365: I almost thought you were going to get a PIMP certification...

Yo! What up! :pimp:

ROFL ;D