I have a dilemma. I teach a couple of university-level physics courses (in the USA) as well as do some research.

Research is fine. But in teaching there seem to be some concern, and I may need to "adapt to changing environment".

I teach the way I taught physics and math in Russia and the way I was taugth physics/math. But in student evaluation in USA some students complain that there is "too much math going on", that I require too much homework, and give too challenging problems compared to other professors, who are much "easier on students" than I am, so some students switch or quit. My dean feels that we should keep as much students as possible in classes (they pay our salary after all), so I feel some "administrative" pressure.

What should I do, if I do not want to be "a bad guy" around?

Should I disregard student evaluation, or should I "slow down" to keep classes full (to me, the less students, the better - usually weak students leave first, so smaller classes after they leave are usually stronger).

• Don't slow down - stormcrow - March 4, 2001 - 07:12 UTC
  • Re: Don't slow down - yanniru - March 4, 2001 - 16:23 UTC
    • Thanks for good points. - alexander - March 7, 2001 - 18:08 UTC
• Re: glad you asked - libbie468 - March 4, 2001 - 10:22 UTC
• Screw the kids! Do whats best! - richard - March 4, 2001 - 22:02 UTC
• u r very good........ - iamnotagenius - March 6, 2001 - 17:31 UTC