One of my pet peeves in the classroom is students leaving in the middle of the class (I assume to go to the restroom). I put on my syllabus that I expect them to remind in class during the entire class period. Classes are either 75 minutes long or if they are longer, I give the students a break after 75 minutes. I explain to the students that we are modeling appropriate professional behavior in the workplace--you wouldn't get up and leave an important meeting with your boss.
However, Sunday night I was at the Aaron Neville concert in St Petersburg, Florida, and was absolutely amazed by the dozens of people, mostly baby boomers like me, who left during the 90 minute concert and then returned. I find this disrespectful to the artist and to the other audience members. When did this inability to sit and focus for less than two hours begin?
As a student at UF, this trend is becoming outrageous. At a lecture tonight, which was completely optional, students began zipping up their backpacks and leaving once the clock hit 7 p.m.
I think that the premature zipping of the backpack has to be a real annoyance also.
Posted by: Ryan | November 06, 2006 at 09:54 PM
Yes, we professors hate those "putting away" noises. I always stop and tell my students I haven't finished giving them what they paid for yet.
Posted by: Delaney Kirk | November 07, 2006 at 09:11 PM