Attitude

During the department board meeting today, there was a hot discussion on how the students should assess our teaching performance, and if there is any need for us "revenge" and assess their attitude.

The problem is: Do we know what is the desirable attitude of a student ?

Friends, don't jump to the conclusion. Let's consider: Do we want a student who is active in asking questions, or one who is quiet and prefer staying aside to observe (and try to find the answer for every of their question by looking up textbook on their own) ?

"Either would be good," you would say.

Then, how could you tell them from students who are merely too lazy to read up the book themselves, or who have severe withdrawal symptoms due to chronic schizophrenia (or, more commonly, autistic personality disorder), respectively ?

"Oh, we are experienced teachers and can tell by looking through their eyes," you may protest.

Well, I also believe I am an expert in mind-reading, but I would never consider that as a subject of genuine science, or rely on it to guide my judgement. (Alas, you would therefore find me in the chronic schizophrenic subgroup when I was a student.)

PS. I don't think we should add credit to the student's attitude assessment if they are active in answering questions; they would be properly awarded in the final examination - if their answer is correct.