{"id":28297,"date":"2015-01-22T10:39:11","date_gmt":"2015-01-22T15:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/exploringourmatrix\/?p=28297"},"modified":"2015-01-22T10:39:11","modified_gmt":"2015-01-22T15:39:11","slug":"ten-professorial-commandments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/religionprof\/2015\/01\/ten-professorial-commandments.html","title":{"rendered":"Ten Professorial Commandments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Elliott Ratzman offered the following Ten Commandments in Inside Higher Ed<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

1. Thou shalt have no other object of attention in the classroom.\u00a0<\/strong>No devices \u2014 phones, gadgets, computers, guns \u2014 or distractions; I am a jealous and wrathful instructor.<\/p>\n

2. Thou shalt honor thy fellow students.\u00a0<\/strong>They are also struggling, growing, with opinions always changing, and with perspectives always in transition. Be kind and patient with them, and yourself. In discussion, be sensitive to the feelings of others, slow to be offended and quick to not offend, though do not censor yourself. Try to use \u201cI\u201d statements, speaking from your own experience, and speak your mind knowing that all controversial arguments can be made with tact, humility, and sensitivity to others.<\/p>\n

3. Thou shalt assume the best intentions of the instructor and fellow students.\u00a0<\/strong>Take what is said in the classroom with interpretative charity \u2014 assuming all speak in earnest and in good faith \u2014 though treat what is said with a critical eye. We are all in this together and we all want to \u201cdo the right thing\u201d by each other.<\/p>\n

4. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor\u2019s work.<\/strong>\u00a0But feel free to consult with them on notes and materials, share feedback, look at each other\u2019s drafts, and so forth. Attend to the customs and rules of proper citation. Put things in your own words, and if you use the words of others, honor them by citing them.<\/p>\n

5. Honor the work of the authors.<\/strong>\u00a0You do so by reading the assigned materials and\u00a0appreciating their arguments, but also by raising objections, comments, and questions. On class days you shall participate; outside of class, you shall labor by reading.<\/p>\n

6. Thou shalt ask questions for the benefit of the good and welfare of the class.<\/strong>\u00a0Ask away about issues or substance of the class \u2014 no question is dumb. On procedural matters, consult the syllabus first and the professor when appropriate.<\/p>\n

7. When all else fails, follow directions.<\/strong>\u00a0Consult the syllabus, the assignment specifics, and other missives sent by the instructor. See Commandment #6.<\/p>\n

8. If thou speaks too much, step back.<\/strong>\u00a0If thou speaks too little, step up! Be mindful of your own contribution balanced with the needs of your fellow students. Don\u2019t dominate the conversation, but don\u2019t hesitate to contribute. Assume that if you have a question on the material, others are thinking of it as well, so do them a favor and ask!<\/p>\n

9. Thou shalt figure out a goodly system to take notes.<\/strong>The classroom is not a passive arena \u2014 all discussions, videos, lectures, and chalkboard notes are important grist for the mill of our common learning. If you want, record the lectures and take notes. After each session, ask yourself what you learned.<\/p>\n

10. Thou shalt be an active agent in your own learning.<\/strong>Ultimately, you are responsible for your own learning. Be resourceful \u2014 if the classroom experience is difficult or not useful, or if the experience is not working for you, consult with the instructor who wants to help (see Commandment #3). Approach the instructor with your concerns, issues, and questions sooner than later.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

What do you think of these? Would you add anything?\u00a0The Israelites had more than ten, and more than one version of the ten, and so we can add to this as needed!<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Elliott Ratzman offered the following Ten Commandments in Inside Higher Ed: 1. Thou shalt have no other object of attention in the classroom.\u00a0No devices \u2014 phones, gadgets, computers, guns \u2014 or distractions; I am a jealous and wrathful instructor. 2. Thou shalt honor thy fellow students.\u00a0They are also struggling, growing, with opinions always changing, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":17701,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,42],"tags":[1930,2970,4871,9577,12362],"class_list":["post-28297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-humor","tag-classroom","tag-education","tag-humor","tag-professor","tag-ten-commandments"],"yoast_head":"\nTen Professorial Commandments<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Elliott Ratzman offered the following Ten Commandments in Inside Higher Ed: 1. 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