Why do teachers care if you attend?

[PoorManQ45]

I submit this thread for one of the "socially awkward questions" that you asked me to show you a while ago, Brien.

Not sure how that applies...

This means they have egos that can't be pushed aside. If you don't like it, then You go out and get something done noteworthy.

That actually makes sense. They're so full of themselves.

[Dattebayo]

You mis-interpret what I said. Everyone has an ego, but their respect is earned. You get it now?

[S13_love]

I am the type of person that doesn't need to hear an instructor tell me the information to be able to retain it. I can read the text book and pass the test.

Oh really? Im calling bulls*** on this.

Since when do professors write up tests from which all of the answers can be found directly from the textbook?

[Mr1der]

if I was a professor, I'd feel that I wasn't doing my job of making the class interesting.

thus, I'd get mad if my attendance was low.

[AZhitman]

Still no quite clear. You are beating around the bush.

No, you're dull.

You just don't know it.

They're so full of themselves.

Pots and kettles come to mind.

[MinisterofDOOM]

As to the "not attending is disrespectful" line of thinking, I say that one works both ways. There's nothing worse than paying for a class you have no desire to attend. Which kind of goes along with 1der's comment...the instructor needs to keep things interesting. So, it works like this:

A) I will not attend a class that bores me and serves me no good. I had a 100+ student lecture hall algebra class early on...I rarely attended. I still passed because attendance was never taken and the grade was 100% out-of-class work, which is a [censored] joke IMO. I'm NOT paying for classtime so that I can be sent home to read the book and do end-of-section miniquizzes. I am paying for classtime to be taught by an instructor.

B) If my lack of attendance sends an insulting message to the instructor that his/her class is boring, that is probably for the best. Learn to teach (not talk at) your students or get a new job.

C) If the instructor's lack of classroom abilities negatively influences my desire to attend class, I don't think the repercussions should be passed on to me as a student. My grade should not be dependent on the instructor's ability to engage the class. That's why universities have staff reviews and the like. Obviously if the instructor is a poor teacher, my classroom experience will already be poor. But that should be the full extent of the effect on me. If he's just going to send me home to read the book, what's the point of showing up in the first place? Certainly, he has no business "docking" my grade because I didn't show up to not be taught by him.

[Jesda]

[MinisterofDOOM]

Mmmm, beef with broccoli.

[r34 gtr]

I am currently ditching all of my classes. Why? Because it is wet outside.

I AM ALL THAT IS MAN

[SHIFT_Z]

Typically you knowledge of the subject matter is tested in the form of either an exam or an essay. If you are able to perform sufficiently well on these to test forms what does it matter if you attend the class other then to take the tests.

Also, you are paying for the classes. This means that you are paying for a portion of time in their class on certain days. You should be able to choose if you want to spend that time in class or not.

How is it disrespectful to the teacher? Most professors don't care about you. So why should they care if you attend?

I am the type of person that doesn't need to hear an instructor tell me the information to be able to retain it. I can read the text book and pass the test.

So then, if I pay for a class what does it matter if I go or not?

If it's a professor that's genuinely passionate about the subject, they really should care if you're there or not. If they're not into it, it's a lot harder for the student to be into it. (in my experiences when I was at college at least.)

Everything else seems to point to the fact that you should be getting your education online. You go at your own rate... heavily text and reading based... No one to assess whether or not they care about your attendance.. Why waste your money at an attendance college?

You need to quit focusing on stupid details. (such as attendance and trying to assess whether or not the professor cares about you.) If it's a policy, it's a policy. MEANING, you follow the rules and stop trying to be 'that guy' to *stick it to the man!! I don't need to be there to pass!! I'm better than that!* Blah blah blah. If it REALLY matters that much to you... EARN respect from them by going to class, and develop a relationship with them by discussing the material, asking intellectual questions, etc... maybe then they will know who you are and give 2 s*its about you. Maybe even then you can negotiate your absence. It's worked for me in the past. Professors that know who you are might bend the rules for you. You saying 'that's dumb, and I'm not doing it.' will get you nowhere fast.

[PoorManQ45]

Everything else seems to point to the fact that you should be getting your education online. You go at your own rate... heavily text and reading based... No one to assess whether or not they care about your attendance.. Why waste your money at an attendance college?

Can you get a fully accredited degree with online courses? If so I may consider that.

[Red coupe]

I am the type of person that doesn't need to hear an instructor tell me the information to be able to retain it. I can read the text book and pass the test.

What are you doing for school?I thought you already failed out of electrical engineering?

[ThatGuyRoger]

[PoorManQ45]

What are you doing for school?I thought you already failed out of electrical engineering?

Nope, never failed any courses. I just stopped going... I lost interest

[SHIFT_Z]

Can you get a fully accredited degree with online courses? If so I may consider that.

Yeah absolutely. Many universities offer online courses.. and if I'm not mistaken, some career-tracks are offered fully-online.