Instructors

Last year, I had a request for a Library Instruction class from an instruction I had not yet met. No problem, I sent off an email negotiating the class subjects and after a bit of effort was informed of what the instructor wanted.

My first hint that the instructor was going to be, not difficult, but not a breeze, either, was when I spent more time telling him where we could meet (the library, which is on your way to your classroom) than finding out what he wanted me to teach his class.

The biggest hint that the instructor was going to be difficult was when the first 10 minutes of class was spent arguing with students over what was due when. You know how it is, the whole manipulating of the instructor to shorten the time given to acutal instruction. But then came my big mistake. Stupidly, I made the assumption that the instructor had informed the class of the assignment.

Nope.

I was 1/3 the way through my shpeal before someone piped up saying what was I talking about? That's when I used the technique of repetition. Since they didn't have a sheet of paper telling them what the assignment was, I repeated over and over again, "Two Books, Two Articles, Two Websites" etc.

I informed the class that I would email them a handout (which I do for all my LI classes) with the assignment and the relevant databases.

During last summer semester, that handout appeared in the hand of a student at the reference desk. Wait a minute, I recognize that! Who did an LI class for this instructor? Checked the calendar, no LI class.

The instructor was using my handout as the assignment and the equivalent of an LI class. He actually expected students to be able to research an essay from a handout that was meant to reinforce/remind what I taught, not explain how to do research.

This morning (Thursday) I received an email - could I please give this instructor the link to the online form to schedule an LI class for next Monday? Rolling my eyes, I sent it to him, knowing he probably wouldn't use it (he didn't) and dreading that I would have to take his class, even though it was at the main campus (that's my day to work main campus).

I was informed of his request for an LI class, and could I teach his 6-7pm class? Oh, sure. He'll send over the assignment, and when he does, forwarded to me.

Why bother, I wrote the thing.

This is almost as bad as knowing I'll be teaching an LI class the Wednesday night (6:30-8pm) before T-Giving.