Criticism

At the end of every student-led lesson we turn in our positive and negative statements to the presenters and I’ve never really thought about how important this simple act was. I was reading a blog on Thought Catalog the other day and it hit me how this end-of-the-class activity will directly improve our recitation classes next semester. In the article the author, Daniel Coffeen, discusses the difference between judgment and criticism. Here’s one of my favorite quotes from his blog:

“Critique, on the other hand, is generous: it engages the other on its own terms — or on terms of the event.  It lets the other do its thing and then wonders how the other can extend it and it, in turn, can extend the other. It is a glorious repartee.”

Reading the blog made me reflect and really focus on not just leaving a “good job” on the paper but really take the time and reflect on what I liked and didn’t like. It has drove me nuts all through college when professors return papers with “Good job” written on top but had subtracted a few points here and there for unexpressed reasons. A pure thumbs up or thumbs down doesn’t show effort you put into trying to help whomever your critiquing learn or grow, it hints at shallow involvement in the presentation. I think it’s a great thing that we have to opportunity to help each other grow and develop skills for next year so we give our very best to our class. This way we can give the best experience possible and reinforce the importance of the Hixson Program. If the incoming freshmen don’t get the most of the seminar, it could be a wasted effort. We are there to make sure their college experience is set off right.

Thought Catalog blog post:

http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/the-generosity-of-criticism/