<p>Is it inappropriate as an undergrad to ask a GSI I liked what they’re teaching in the fall or what section, to maybe sign up for that? How soon do they find this out?</p>
<p>Wow, I stand corrected. No GSI law students. Nice link.</p>
<p>steellord321: I’ve become really friendly with a couple of my GSIs (we’re even Facebook friends, haha) and had no issue asking them what they were teaching the next semester and what section they were going to teach. They e-mailed me the exact section once they found out for sure. GSIs are usually first or nearly first time teachers and I imagine that any sign of appreciation would be welcome, so usually they would be happy to share that info with you. As for how soon they find out, they know what they’re going to teach next semester before the end of the current semester usually, but I don’t know if they ever know the exact section yet. That you can just have them e-mail you about once they find out.</p>
<p>So GSIncognito, you actually know who’s on FB during your class? When my son sat in on a class at another institution he saw so many students playing games or on FB. It kind of surprised me, but it’s good to know that someone is watching the students and knows who is working and who isn’t.</p>
<p>GSIs and professors alike notice that kind of thing… It’s usually quite obvious. It’s just that they aren’t obligated to take time out of their teaching to tell them to stop. If they want to sacrifice a letter grade so they can gossip on each other’s status updates, then that’s their choice, haha. A GSI telling a student to quit it is kind of like bailing them out. Though in some classes, the GSI or professor will just say right off the bat that they won’t tolerate the use of computers for anything other than taking notes, completing assignments, or researching relevant information during class.</p>
<p>I’ve never seen anyone doing this in section. Lecture sure and in fact, I’ve seen profs try to ban laptops and totally fail cause their lectures are so boring plus the anonymity. GSIs in section though have dictatorial powers and you just know to not get on facebook and turn the phones off. Since it’s typically 50 mins once a week, no one has an issue going along with that. You always want to be paying attention when it’s 20-25% of your grade in that short time frame, plus a good section is engaging anyway.</p>
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Hi, steellord321. It’s not inappropriate once it’s friendly. I’d encourage doing it in the “So, do you know what you’d like to teach next semester?” vibe rather than coming across too strong.</p>
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It varies by department, but it’s not unusual for that stuff to not be finalized until the week before classes start.</p>
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You may have had no issue asking them, but they may not have appreciated it. We make fun of undergrads who add us on Facebook. It’s a running joke. Do you not think it’s a bit weird?</p>
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You don’t know what you’re talking about.</p>
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It’s shocking, right? I saw a student watching YouTube clips during lecture recently. Why on earth wasn’t he at home?!</p>
<p>You can tell who’s taking notes by how often they look up. Using Facebook or ESPN or whatever will engage your attention for 30 seconds, but taking notes will have you raise your head more frequently that that.</p>
<p>Although I can tell, but I don’t really care. If kids aren’t paying attention, that means more focus can be given to those that are interested.</p>
<p>Aside from it being a bad idea in terms of your grade and a waste of your tuition, it’s disrespectful to do it in class. I am talking to you and you’re looking at your phone. At a certain level, that’s just plain rude. If I think you’re rude, don’t be too surprised if you don’t get an answer to your email two days before the midterm.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks. I’ll just get an override later then. I don’t think anyone would disagree that it’s rude. It’s just that this age group was brought up hooked on texting and facebook and needs instant gratification at all times. Same reason they bust out the texts waiting 30 sec for an elevator. Part of it is ego in one’s ability to multitask also. If you can get other work done and also absorb everything, why not? But of course, that ends up not happening.</p>
<p>Bump. Back for one week only.</p>
<p>Get your questions in.</p>
<p>Hello, I am Jonathan Martin. Why do you bully me?</p>
<p>Damn, I was beat to the punch</p>
<p>Oh my god though guys! Only one week to ask questions! Get on it!</p>