I previously wrote an article about professors that don't allow electronics. This is somewhat of a follow up to that. You can read that one here, if you'd like.
This professor I wrote about grades attendance/participation. The policy is that if we miss 4+ classes without an excuse, we lose 50 points. There's no way around it. I get it, show up to class, learn in class. Okay. What if I can't learn in class, though?
The professor posts the powerpoints she uses online for students to access. I decided to take my notes on my own. I downloaded the powerpoints and took the notes the best way I could: multitasking and on my laptop. I then did my usual notetaking where I re-write it all in color on paper. I still showed up to class for the first little bit, but then I realized I was just sitting there in class. I was unable to use my phone, unable to learn the way I was forced to, and unable to do other things I needed to do. I did what I thought was best: I stopped going to class.
I almost failed my first test because of my restricted learning in the class. That's when I took the matters into my own hands and began the aforementioned method. Halfway through the next unit, I stopped going to class and instead took my notes on my own during class time. I just passed the second test with a high B.
Seeing this change, I knew my method was working and helping me. Trying to learn in class was limiting my success. I knew this, so when I saw my grade with no participation points, I emailed the professor.
I asked if there was another way to earn a participation grade. I would do anything except waste my time not being able to learn for an entire hour three times a week. I explained why I don't show up and why I can't learn in class. I had a few people read over it before I hit send, and they all said it sounded fine.
The response I received was interesting. The professor sympathized with me, but instead of offering a solution, I was told to contact the Student Disability Center. The link to their part of UT's website was in the email and everything. It amazed me.
I have a disability. I cannot learn without multitasking. I can't learn if you forbid me from using my electronics. I am in some form disabled. This is not a disability. I shouldn't have to contact the disability center to be able to use my laptop in class. I shouldn't even be directed to the disability center when I tell a professor how I can and cannot learn.
I'm not going to contact the disability center just because one professor won't let me use my laptop for taking note. I'm going to accept that I lost those 50 points and continue to rock my ONLINE tests and ONLINE discussions to make up for those lost points. I will continue to learn my way and not waste my time being unable to learn in class.
I am in no way condoning skipping class, but you do you if you skip class. I am also not trying to make this professor seem bad or anything like that; I am just not a fan of this professor or the response I received to my email.
