Showing posts with label list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label list. Show all posts

Monday, June 14, 2010

Test Taking Archetypes (or Profiling My Students)

Tonight, my summer class will be taking their midterm and it reminded me of something I was working on informally several months ago.

As most of you may know by now, I’ve been teaching for about 2 years. In that time, I’ve seen hundreds of students taking my exams. What was interesting to me was observing my students as they trudged through my tests. During one of these boring nights of proctoring, I took note of the different behaviors that I observed among my class. I realized that there are many different types of test takers. In this RaUM entry, I’ve compiled 13 distinct groups of students and will describe each of their habits, nervous tics, or patterns that separate them from other students.

While putting together this list, I tried to think back to my time as an undergrad to recall which type of test taker I was when I was younger. But it’s just too hard to see things from the inside, especially after so many years have passed since I’ve had the nervous energy that came every time I took an exam. There’s simply no way to know how I behaved before while taking any of those tests.

Here are the 13 test taker archetypes:
1) The Yawners – These students either lost sleep studying, panicking about the exam, or simply use yawning as a coping mechanism while taking the test. They can be fairly annoying to others around them, especially when the yawns are more vocal.

2) The Fidgeters – These students suffer from leg shakes and constantly shifting position. It’s as if they cannot get comfortable in their chair while taking the test. Are they sitting on a cactus chair? WTF!!

3) The Peekers – These students have a tendency to look up while thinking of an answer but they use the professor as their primary point of focus. This can get kind of creepy after a half hour of the same thing.

4) The Anti-Peekers – These students use a similar recall technique as ‘The Peekers’ except they look around at anything, and anyone, BUT the professor. They make every effort to NOT have the professor in their line of sight while looking up. These students rouse a great deal of suspicion. I consistently feel the need to keep my eyes on them as I suspect they’re trying to cheat in the most conspicuous way possible.

5) The Eyes Down – These students are the type that will have their head down and noses buried deep in the exam paper. All I see is the top of their head during the entire exam. They will not make their face visible until they finish the exam when they finally lift their head up. Sometimes I wonder if they’re even awake and as I walk by them I listen for snoring.

6) The “Sigh”-ers – These students (like ‘The Yawners’) use a form of exhalation during the exam that can get annoying to those around them if done in excess, which is usually true for those in this group. The sighing isn’t necessarily a sign of frustration or annoyance but can simply be a release of anxiety and nervous energy.

7) The Over-Reviewers – These students are the double-, triple-, quadruple-checkers who feel the constant need to review their answers to be absolutely sure that they have answered everything correctly and avoided any possible mistake. This doesn’t mean they always catch their mistakes but they feel better having reviewed their work repeatedly before handing their exam in. They are also likely to stay for the full duration of the exam (even if they’ve finished early)

8) The ‘Dory’ – Just like the character in Finding Nemo, these students are easily distracted and almost forget the task at hand. It’s a miracle that they even finish the exam!

9) The Over-Confident – Unlike the “Over Reviewers”, this group finish their exam fairly quickly and are so sure of their performance that they don’t give any question/answer a second look while taking the exam. They’re typically among the first to finish any exam.

10) The Head Slappers – The name says it all. Another nervous tic exhibited by students either to release tension or to smack around some brain cells to recall the information they need to answer a question. No bruising or injury has occurred yet in my classes. Though there has been plenty of forehead rubbing after the slaps.

11) The Time Keepers – These students are very aware of the amount of time they have to complete an exam and will pace themselves (whether intentional or not is difficult to gauge) to complete the exam at, or near, the end time. The will use every possible minute (and, at times, second) allotted to complete the exam.

12) The Tiny Bladders – These students are the ones who in the middle of the exam ask to go to the bathroom. I personally try to avoid any conflict with the “Tiny Bladders” by telling them they should go right before the exam or hold it until they’re done. Any suspicion of cheating is grounds for a zero on an exam in my classroom this includes going to the bathroom for an extended period of time (I’m not a COMPLETE ogre about the bathroom. I understand that you can’t control the urges to go)

13) The Exasperated – These students are the ones who seem completely lost during every single exam. When they look up, they have a WTF look on their face and you can sense a tinge of desperation as they try to work their way through the exam. I feel bad for them but it’s their way. Usually they’re pleasantly surprised by their success on an exam since they tend to walk out of an exam positive that they failed.

So, faithful reader, which type are you?

Until next time……

Friday, January 22, 2010

Karaoke Obsession

Welcome back,

Happy New Year if this is your first visit to RaUM in 2010!!

Music has always been a passion of mine. Regardless of the genre, good music stirs my soul and, at times, can bring long-forgotten emotions and memories to the surface. To me, that alone is a testament to the power of music.

When I was a kid I was always involved in some kind of singing class. I was in the chorus group in elementary school. When I moved on to middle school, I got to choose a specialty for my honors class: a typing class (it turned into a computer class within a year), an art class, a band class, and chorus. I was in the art class for about 3 weeks before I realized it wasn't for me and I moved into the chorus class. Not a bad move since I was one of maybe 5 boys in a class full of girls. Even in high school, I opted to be part of chorus as an elective.

Looking back on those years of chorus was that I never had to sing a solo. I was always able to hide behind the cover of the group. Despite all the public performances I did in front of my classmates in assembly or for parents/family on special performance nights, I have a tremendous amount of stagefright when it comes to singing alone. I tend to sing very quietly when I'm around other people. My mom just told me the other day that she has NEVER heard me sing. In her entire life!! She doesn't recall a time when she has heard my angelic voice! =P

I don't know where this embarrassment comes from [that's not entirely true, Alan!! You're a perfectionist at heart and don't want others to judge you!!] but it's paralyzing. I decided to do something about it and will work on in 2010.

The easy way to combat that anxiety? Singing karaoke!! No one expects the next American Idol to appear on the stage of a bar/lounge and it's all in good fun. I've learned that it takes a lot of nerve to get up in front of a group (no matter if they're your friends or strangers) and sing a song - even one you know well!

I have a lot of respect for those who do take the stage. Their fearlessness is something I'm beginning to develop in myself.

To that end, I've been going to this bar in Brooklyn (Sugar Lounge) practically every Wednesday night, thanks to two friends of mine who have been going for several months now. I figured the best way to get that monkey off my back was to rip that sumbitch off. And so far, I've been having a lot of fun... and the nerves are slowly escaping me.

Here's my song selection thus far in my 5 visits to Sugar Lounge's 'Singin for a Supper':

Day One - (12/16/09 - My first karaoke experience. I was too scared to perform solo. I did 2 duets with an old friend)
- Plush by Stone Temple Pilots
- Against All Odds by Phil Collins

Day Two - (12/23/09 - with experienced karaoke folks... and their friends)
- Maria Maria by Santana (My first solo)
- Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers
(Oddly enough, on this night, I came in 2nd for the infamous FREE ENTREE at Sugar Lounge. For my first ever solo performance. I've been spoiled!!! I now want to win REALLY badly... shhhh... don't tell anyone... lol)

Day Three - (1/6/10 - bringing in 2010 with:)
- Alone by Heart
- Last Request by Paolo Nutini
- [duet] Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots

Day Four - (1/13/10)
- I Don't Wanna Be by Gavin Degraw
- You and Me by Lifehouse
- Every Little Step by Bobby Brown
- Leave the Pieces by The Wreckers
- [trio] I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

Day Five - (1/20/10)
- Home by Daughtry (was made fun of by the MC for doing ANOTHER American Idol-ish song this week after doing 'I Don't Wanna Be' the previous week)
- Geek in the Pink by Jason Mraz
- Lithium by Nirvana
- Wonderwall by Oasis

Some other songs I've been considering for 2010--
Daughtry - Life After You
Jason Mraz - Wordplay
John Mayer - Dreaming with a Broken Heart; Daughters
PM Dawn - Die Without You
Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes
Xtreme - More Than Words

If there is ONE resolution I would continue for this new year, I would say it will be more karaoke. Singing in front of strangers has been so liberating and has gotten me to open up just a little bit more lately. More that I never thought I would actually. I still experience stage-fright. Let's be honest here, I STILL get nervous standing in front of my class despite having a year of teaching experience under my belt and knowing what I'm doing.

This will be the next big step in my personal evolution. I vow to be more open with everyone around me. That is my primary goal of 2010. And karaoke will help me get there.

Until next time, faithful reader......

Monday, January 26, 2009

The Rebirth of Slick and the Add-ons (RaUM Expansion Pack #1)

Hello friend,

Long time no see!

I've been actively filling up my free time with activities that have kept me away from my trusty (and dusty) ol' laptop for the better part of two weeks. This is a meager attempt at getting back to the habit of posting weekly.



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Musical Coffee Break 1-26-09 (Taking you back!)

Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like That) by Digable Planets
They Reminisce Over You by Pete Rock and CL Smooth
Dwyck by Gangstarr
Paid in Full by Eric B and Rakim
I'll Do For You by Father MC
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Now time for some add-ons to previously posted lists:

Driving Pet Peeves--
#2 - Idiots who take up two perfectly good parking spots with their one crappy car. This rule was originally considered when observing this behavior in residential parking areas. However, I now include the idiocy of taking up multiple spots in public parking lots as well.

#23 - Drivers that suddenly become VERY aware of the speed limit and somehow manage to drive 5 miles below it only because a police car is nearby. This typically occurs on the highways and not on local roads.

#14 - Drivers that stop at an intersection despite the obvious absence of an ACTUAL STOP SIGN!!

#7 - Drivers that signal left (or right) and turn in the opposite direction. This also applies to drivers that change lanes on the highway.

#10 - The misuse of high beams on the highway. Now granted, this is might make me seem real nitpicky but I truly feel that most drivers do not understand the purpose of the high beams. They don't know when to use it correctly and end up being rude to other drivers on the road.

Ultimately, my perspective is based on the "Golden Rule": treat others as you would like to be treated. On a two-way road, you do NOT want to have your high beams on as another car is passing in the opposite direction. It's somewhat blinding and just makes you a douchebag for doing it. You can shut the high beams on for a second or two and turn them back on once the car in the other lane passes. Also, have you ever driven at night and had a car behind you with the high beams on? Nasty glare off of your side view mirrors and rear view? Annoying, isn't it?? Don't do it to others.

Life Goals--
- Attend a live hockey game
- Try out for Jeopardy! (I don't even care if I don't make it... I just wanna try out once)
- Visit all 30 MLB stadiums and watch a game live (tours of ballparks DO NOT count and one must root for the home team unless our team of choice is the road team - 4 down 26 to go)
- Revisit: Baltimore
- Visit: Aruba (primarily since there are tentative plans in place)

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UPDATE:
UFC 93 Predictions outcomes::
Jorge: 5 for 5 (including the round of two finishes and method of victory for another fight)
Roger: 3 for 5 (including predicting Hendo v Ace going to a decision)
Me: 2 for 5 (including predicting a decision for Lytle v Davis)
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Don't worry, folks. There will be more stories to come re: my trip to Philly/Baltimore and my first day as Professor Gonzalez.

Be sure to stay tuned, ladies and gents!

Until next time...

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Playlist # 6 (Freestyle Follow-up) + Driving Pet Peeves (the short list)

Hello there,

I've gotten bit by the "list" bug... so for today's entry I'm offering you the follow-up to my Ultimate Freestyle Playlist and a few selections from my list of Driving Pet Peeves.

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I took you back with the original list of Freestyle songs... this one revisits some of the freestyle songs we all vibed to when they were out. These artists didn't stay on the scene long and essentially these songs were their only hits. Some you may know by song title, some you may know by artist (but I doubt it), but they're all freestyle hits...

This is Playlist #6.
These are your Freestyle One Hit Wonders:

Dzyre - Forever Amor
Laissez Faire - In Paradise
Linear - Sending All My Love
Taana Gardner - Heartbeat
Jaya (featuring Stevie B.) - If You Leave Me Now
Jellybean (featuring India) - Dancing on the Fire
Nyasia - Who's Got Your Love
Shana - I Want You
Stacey Q - Two of Hearts
Denise Lopez - Sayin' Sorry Don't Make It Right
Information Society - Running
Amoretto - Clave Rocks
Hanson & Davis - Hungry For Your Love
Nocera - Summertime Summertime
Company B - Fascinated
Pretty Poison - Catch Me I'm Fallin'
Seduction - Two To Make It Right
Rockell - In A Dream
Jocelyn Enriquez - Do You Miss Me?
Lina Santiago - Feels So Good

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I know there are many MANY M-A-N-Y that set me off when I'm on the road. Stupid behavior, bad decision making, and general idiocy make up the list of my pet peeves. I will not list them all here but I will pick off items from my list and post them as I see them. There is no ranking or order importance to them so don't over-analyze and misinterpret the #'s of the pet peeves.

My Driving Pet Peeves

#1 - Seeing anyone on the road that validates my Three Group Theory! Just the fear of being around bad driving behavior gets me on edge with these folks. (Granted any of these other behaviors may - and typically - are exhibited by drivers in this category)

#27 - Signal blinking but not changing lanes or turning anywhere!! Seriously?? You don't hear the click-click-click-click inside your vehicle? Either put down the phone or turn down your music because you're being a real douche to the rest of us out there behind you!!

#18 - I certainly cannot and should not expect others to speed (as soon as I pass you, I will. You can count on it!) but can we at least COME CLOSE TO THE FREAKING speed limit when driving on local roads!! WTF is up with driving straight down a street at 18mph in a 30mph zone!!! I'd get it if you were turning at the next intersection but if not... move aside, grandma! You're keeping us from our destinations over here!!

#9 - Drivers who cut you off so that you can't pass them... only to see said vehicle passed by about a dozen cars that were behind you!!

#11 - Hiccup drivers. You know who they are. They hesitate and drive as if their car was hiccuping. Are they going to take advantage of the space I'm giving them on the highway so they can change into my lane? (e.g. There they go... oh no... false alarm. Let me speed up then and let them get behind me... WTF... you almost hit me you crazy hippie!!! Oh sorry... little old Asian lady!! Watch where you're going!)

#6 - Drivers that cannot stay in their God-forsaken, mother-f***king lane!!! The lines really are there for a reason!!! Pick a freaking lane!! (Sometimes these folks are also guilty of #9)

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*sigh* OK. I feel better now.

Thanks for stopping by again. I appreciate you taking the time to visit my little digital hole in the wall.

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Until next time, faithful reader.......