Teaching a mandatory foundations class for sophomores and juniors on ethics and diversity, a lot of students have a just-show-up attitude. It can be difficult for teachers too, many just put slides together and talk about … (“wah waa wah”, the Peanuts teacher sound in my head). Part of that mentality is a flawed industrial institutional education vibe that has rewarded just-show-up for centuries. Nothing new here and it produces, Just show up to work. Just show up to the meeting. Just show up to life.
The team running foundations where I teach is vested in a vision about something different than just showing up. They reward and applaud questions like, What happens when you care? What happens we you want to practice ethics and live diversity? What more can the class be than just showing up? What can I do to make a difference in student’s lives? What can students do to make a difference in the world? Who are you now after taking this class? Who do you want to be?
What helps students and professors learn best are these actions: Do the work. Be prepared. Share what you learn. Listen.