The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

134 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 if the students discussed the poems amongst themselves, they would rely on members of the group and not do any work themselves (257). When a student does not understand the material, he or she does not learn. This defeats the most important goal for a teacher. In addition, Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein in their bookThey Say, I Say, indicate that when one writes well, he or she enters the greater academic conversation (xvii). Educators should be preparing their students to enter this conversation, but instead students graduate every year, unprepared and without understanding the mystery of writing. If professors do not prepare students and the students do not learn, then these professors have failed in their primary mission. Educators also experience other consequences which are much subtler. Students who do not learn in a class, develop negative views about that particular teacher. Theresa Guillory in her essay, “From Incompetence and Isolation to Confidence,” explains that when students are dissatisfied, this attitude manifests itself on course evaluation forms. In addition, when a professor receives a poor evaluation, Guillory contends that other professors will also evaluate that professor poorly. This low evaluation could lead to the professor’s dismissal from the educational institution (3). All educators want to keep their positions. I contend that by ignoring this problem professors unknowingly endanger their livelihood. Every professor and teacher should be aware of this problem. When approaching this situation, there are many potential solutions. First, some might say that that educators should require students to participate in class discussions. With this solution, professors force students into social interaction, of a sort, which, many contend satisfies the need. Still others may contend that the professor should allow his students to work on their papers together. InParkinson’s study, Dave’s professor did not allowhimto discuss his paper with anyone in his class. If professors reversed this regulation, some argue that the problem could be fixed. These two solutions, while plausible at first, will not work in practical education. Both of these potential solutions contain basic flaws. The first solution helps one group but isolates another group, thus making the problem worse. Those who do not think well on the spot will struggle and feel uncomfortable. If students are thrown into an academic discussion about which they have not thought, these students will have to exert much effort to participate and gain any