This is a follow up to my post on the 23rd of March 2011...
It turns out that students enthusiasm only last till you give them work to do. After I handed out the drawings for them to complete it took them about one week to produce any work. The program I set up was totally ignored and it feels like I'm talking to a wall. We initially decided to meet twice a week but since they are so behind I have to see them everyday. One thing I learned in the office is that one never assume!
My group consist of four girls and one guy. The girls did not disappoint me at all, i have absolutely no problem with them. Maybe the occasional slim hand in. They at least listen to me but the guy, I have seen him twice in this 3 week project. Send threatening emails which could end his studies at NMMU does not help at all not even my most unfriendly face. The only motivation/threat they follow is from the big boss - Pansgrouw. One positive thing about my group is that they have not made lame excuses for not attending meetings or why their work is behind. I like to think that we communicate good with each other (touch wood - I have not heard any complaints).
While I was working I kind of envied the boss, he was never in the office. On most of the projects he was the project manager. It seemed like he only attended meetings, write the minutes, take the occasional photo for the staff if changes should happened and write a report afterwards, until I started with my first big project. Attending meetings is the mild part of the project everyone do not always agree, the job is behind, people are losing interest in the project. The admin is the hard part - coordinating the consultants etc. ensuring that everyone is up to speed. Some times it felt like I was the project manager all the consultants phoned me about information about the project. Someday it felt like smooth sailing and others like my boat is caught in a storm... Thanks to this experience and my tutors I think I am doing well with my group.
WOW, im glad im not the only one having issues. 2nd year level studiowork...certain students have no clue what to do! i set aside crit times, but every time we meet, a number of them produce nothing...then they start asking what do i want them to draw...and to top it off, they ask me how to draw it.
ReplyDeleteThey should at this stage be able to think for themselves - i really dislike spoonfeeding. We got to where we are because of our hard work.
Love the Blog, keep it up