<p>informative lectures?
develop critical thinking?
teach what will be on exams?
humorous and entertaining lectures?
relevant media such as dvd programs?
students discuss among themselves with guidance from prof?
small group activities?
question and answer sessions with prof?
classroom decorum (e.g. no texting, internet surfing, private discussions)?
monitor student attendance?
personal anecdotes?
what kinds of exams?
course management, such as guidance for writing papers, how grades will be calculated (also in syllabus)?
anything else?</p>
<p>More important, in what proportions do parents want these things? What are the priorities?</p>
<p>You are paying lots of money...what do you expect in return?</p>
<p>I hope my kid got informative lectures, learned to think critcally. Humorous and entertaining lectures are fun, but many professors overdo it. I’m totally indifferent to using dvds or other media. I think a good class allows student discussion with the prof is best, but I’ve had great TAs too. I’m not a big fan of small group activities. Question and answer sessions sounds a litte formal. I have no problem with profs being mean about texting, internet surfing etc during class. I don’t really think classroom attendance should be an issue in college. Just create exams where if you weren’t in class you are in trouble. I’m not a big fan of personal anecdotes, but one of the best lectures I heard involved Aristophanes and the profressor’s grandchildren and jelly beans… Exams should not be recycled, they should not have multiple choice questions. Essays, and short identifications for humanities and social science, real problems for math and science. I think profs should be clear about how grades are calculated. The best courses I took you were required to discuss paper topics with the prof. </p>
<p>And I don’t want to hear about any of this, you are teaching my kid, not me.</p>
<p>In my experience as a parent? To teach. To deliver material in a way that is accessible and appropriate for the learners in the room (ie, different for freshman/senior, different for subject matter, different for course objectives). How that is delivered and assessed is not my area of expertise for many fields. Multiple choice tests may be a good tool for freshman courses where a lot of info has to be covered and knowledge is measured by knowing facts. I’d expect something very different in a senior level class. </p>
<p>In my experience as a prof? Parents want high marks.</p>
<p>Attendance is tied to fin aid these days. It really isn’t totally up to the prof any more. </p>
<p>When my child goes to them because they want to drop the class because they are doing poorly and are over their head, I don’t want the professor to then talk them out of it, without a firm plan for them to catch up, and then flunk them when they can’t.</p>
<p>I had absolutely no interest in micromanaging my student’s academic program or second guessing what works well for individual professors in their varied classrooms!</p>
<p>Actually show up and teach the number of classes paid for. Return assignments promptly so students can use the feedback in future work. Respond to student communications in a reasonable amount of time. So basically, act responsibly and professionally. Too bad it isn’t always the case.</p>
<p>I am always happy when my kid comes home excited about what they are learning. That doesn’t always.mean happy, angry or entertained works too.</p>
<p>I expect professors to make their classes relevant to students lives and futures. Also, I hope classes work on strengthening communications and critical thinking skills.</p>
<p>A couple of D profs went above and beyond the call by challenging her to expand her abilities and try new approaches. They offered engaging and thoughtful feedback, and guidance borne of experience and wisdom.The great ones made office hours memorable, and enlightening.</p>
<p>As far as grades go I only expect fairness. D never got anything but A’s , S has had some challenges, never because of the profs mind you. This semester S finally pulled it all together. His professors expectations are finally sinking in.</p>
<p>In summation know what you teach, be excited about it, and be fair.</p>
<p>PS. Interesting comment from @MommaJ which I do appreciate. The cost of education is so high we can feel ripped off when classes are cancelled. My experience has been that class time is not an accurate gauge of the value of a class or the commitment of a professor. I wonder what others think?</p>
<p>It’s more about what students want. They are in college, not me. And every student is different in learning style and needs, so it is hard to generalize. One loves lectures, one loves discussion, and so on.</p>
<p>That said, I always like it when a professor truly inspires as a human being, and/or inspires love of a subject.</p>
<p>Do you really think it is more about what the student wants? They are not paying the bills. Can they be objective? Do they have their long-term goals in mind or do they simply want the best grades for the least work?</p>
<p>Nothing out of ordinary to expect from prof. Each student’s academics is student’s responsibility. Every one absorbs material in a different way. Instructors cannot adjust to each student in the class. As every prof. has his/her own style, it is a student’s responsibility to adjust in every class. And if class time is not enough, there are office hours (which are BTW also covered by tuition). So, use them as much as you want. There are absolutely no other expectations.</p>
<p>It always about what the student wants. The parents pay the bills and butt out. They can advise the kid but have no role in dealing with professors. None. Zippo. </p>
<p>If you raised your kid to have a brain of his or her own, you should respect their opinions and allow them to make their own choices, make their own mistakes, fight their own battles and be their own advocate. They don’t have to be objective. </p>
<p>Actually, since students are generally financially dependent, as well as emotionally tied to their parents, it is still appropriate for the students to consult parents and for the parents to inquire about college classes and activities.
I would agree that parents don’t communicate with profs, but the student undoubtably took the lead in dealing with teachers in high school in preparation for life after high school.</p>
<p>I want my kids’ high school teachers to just teach the SUBJECT MATTER and stop shoving their political agenda down their students’ throats. I get tired of these teachers assigning projects related to some pet cause of theirs.</p>
<p>I want professors to be approachable and available. I want them to speak clear English. I want them to return assignments in a timely fashion and have clear grading policies :-B </p>
<p>My H is a former college professor. I’m sure he didn’t care what the parents of his students expected. He cared about his students and their expectations. </p>
<p>It should be a weird question. Unfortunately, professors get phone calls and emails from parents all the time. What such parents really want is an outcome (for their child to be happier or to earn better grades) but they often want to tell us how they think we should get there.</p>