Classroom Observations

Posted Nov 5th, 2009 at 09:56 PM by Lucid Chaotic

Last night I had my first class session for a six week M.Sc. course that I’m teaching. Pretty interesting student demographic – no white folks at all - four Arab chics, two Indian chics, two Arab guys, two Pakistani guys, one Iranian guy, and two Chinese chics. With 13 people, it’s a good class size for a graduate course – not too big, not too small. There should be good class discussion.

I’ve been teaching graduate level courses for over seven years now, and I’ve seen the demographics change considerably. While white people and Indians used to comprise the majority of the student body when I started, it’s good to see a few Pakistani students in the classroom too now. Also, the number of female students in the classroom has been consistently on the up, especially from the Arab countries. The only um and ah is that most students who come from abroad are coming straight out of their undergrads and have almost no work experience. It worries me sometimes because a graduate degree is ideally supposed to be something you decide upon after gaining some insight into your likes and dislikes. Besides, they would be able to relate some of the discussions in classroom to real world scenarios from the workplace which would make their learning experience all the more enjoyable.

I suppose it has a lot to do with the societal mindset in the East in that students rarely work while they’re in University, and are most likely also going to be supported by their parents if they want to proceed to grad studies. Perhaps, opportunities for work are also limited - not sure...

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	what uni are you currently teaching at? my sis went for masters in waterloo.
	Posted Nov 6th, 2009 at 02:18 AM by zobia

	it is too hard to get into quality institutes in our own countries. There are just very very few of em. I heard one of my old school mate did mbbs from china and now doing house job some where in lahore.
	Posted Nov 6th, 2009 at 05:16 AM by Lafanter

	we have a concept of getting thru all the studies asap and then settle down with spouses and bachey no one wants to start studying again while doing a job or after some experience. We dont study to learn but just to have a good decent job.
	Posted Nov 6th, 2009 at 05:20 AM by Lafanter

	Hmmmm I agree with laffy, If they had gotten jobs after their graduation, they would not peruse further education. I think for most ppl in out country education is some thing you do till you are in early/mid 20s.
	Posted Nov 6th, 2009 at 06:47 AM by Monk