In the past couple of days some, if not most, of my classmates have been up in arms with the changes that a professor has implemented for a particular discussion forum. While normally I would have raised my voice just as loud with them, this time I felt different and had to disagree.
I’ve been diplomatic enough and tried hard not to ruffle feathers, but for the sake of my sanity I’d have to say my piece (or pieces) in this entry. These are my points:
1. Being an online stupident needs just as much attention as your regular job, or your regular task (a parent, an employee, a mortuarian, whatever). Enrolling in a university, online or otherwise, makes you responsible not only to your work or task, but also your studies. If you think your work or your home tasks are more important than your schooling, I suggest you drop out now.
2. The fact that the professor gave ample warning that a deadline has been moved means you are given time to respond. It is not as if the professor has closed the forum without warning. Why are you even complaining that he warned you?
3. A deadline is not equivalent to the only day (or hour) that you can submit your response. In fact there is a whole week (almost) to do that. What have you been doing the other days? If you do not understand this question, please go back to my 1st point.
4. If the professor will take into consideration all the schedules of all his students, do you think a deadline or a schedule is even possible? And how in God’s green earth is the professor going to know everyone’s schedule? You know the schedule of the professor, he doesn’t know yours. Just put things into perspective. The professor is not omniscient, you know.
5. It’s his turf, he sets the rules. If you are unable to follow, go create your own open university.
6. Choose the battles you will win. He’s been doing this for years, and here you are complaining about a week’s worth of forum discussions. You think he hasn’t done this before and have not won the argument?
7. Finally, you are taking a graduate degree, if you want to be treated like graduate students, act like one.
