With the final weeks of the semester upon us, deadlines of all sorts are pressing in. The demands of grading have increased for many instructors, especially those who assign long term papers. Some students are pleading for extensions for assignments or forgiveness for absences, while others are trying to be inspired to push themselves into renewed determination for the homestretch of their courses. Duffy and Jones map the changing patterns of teaching and learning along an emotional path to help make sense of phases both instructors and students often go through during a typical semester.
Professors look forward to teaching all the material they want to cover.
Likewise, students, even as they hope for a good grade, are newly determined to do well and hope to accomplish a lot. Realistically, we know that all types of problems and pressures will litter what starts as a clear path, but the enthusiasm of the fresh beginning is valuable, since it can help launch students and professors into the course. But honeymoons end. And the next phase begins. Regardless of the types and intensity levels of eagerness that instructors and students feel at the beginning of the semester, the mid-term weeks may represent a period of stagnation.