When the class average is FAILING!!!

BSNtobe2009 · Nov 29, 2006

When the class average is failing...sorry, MAJOR problem with the instructor.

I couldn't agree with you more.

navynurse06 · Nov 29, 2006

What class was this? Did the teacher throw any unfair questions out?

I recall when I was in school, if such as you described happened the test would be reviewed. Then some of the unfair or questionable items were thrown out.

I agree that it reflects on the teacher or the test maker when something like this happens.

Hang in there...this too shall pass! (No pun intended)

Sheri257 · Nov 29, 2006

Since you said you were doing well before ... is the class average failing for this particular test or, failing for the semester overall?

Because we've had tests that pretty much everybody bombed. But, they tended to make up for it with other tests. A failing average for just one test wouldn't be that unusual for nursing school ... actually. But a failing average for the whole semester would be unusual.

:typing

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Nov 29, 2006

Since you said you were doing well before ... is the class average failing for this particular test or, failing for the semester overall?
Because we've had tests that pretty much everybody bombed. But, they tended to make up for it with other tests. A failing average for just one test wouldn't be that unusual for nursing school ... actually. But a failing average for the whole semester would be unusual.
:typing

Its just this one test, not the whole class THANK GOD! But definitely affected my total average in the class...........

Cherish · Nov 29, 2006

If its just for the test then it may have been a hard test, that happens in many classes if overall the class average was failing then that would be a problem. But if it's just for one test then maybe you needed to have a review on it. Does your class not review the tests when there done? We ALWAYS review the questions when there done because believe it or not there is usually one or 2 questions the teacher put on there wrong that can be disputed by the textbook. Maybe you should ask for a review on the NEXT test or see the instuctor during conference hours to see if you can review. That way atleast if it happens to be on the final you will have the correct responses and know why.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Nov 29, 2006

Our instructors will occasionally toss out a question or two if it appears it was ambiguous and too many people had the same answer(s) for it....but they don't curve and it's not like they'll do it for a whole test...wow...bummer for you guys....I would think that someone needs to take a look at how the material was covered and why the class on the whole seemed to have problems with it.....scary!!

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Nov 30, 2006

I don't agree with just because the whole class failed that it is automatically the instructor's fault.

If even one person in the class did well on it, then there was no way it was all the instructor's fault.

Think about it, there is no way someone guesses on all the answers and just happens to get enough right.

The last test we had, the class average was failing and I did fine on it. I do admit that I messed up on some of the all that apply questions, and it was because I left out at least one correct choice. Other than that, I didn't find the entire test to be unfair, just more challenging.

JMO.

angel337, MSN, RN · Nov 30, 2006

this happened to me in one of my nursing classes. and to prove that it wasn't her fault, our instructor had us match her lecture notes to the test and sure enough, she did her part. i think only 2 people got a passing grade, but it taught the rest of us to just study harder. your situation could be different, but i doubt your instructor gave a test that he/she thought was unfair.

jov · Nov 30, 2006

I don't agree with just because the whole class failed that it is automatically the instructor's fault. If even one person in the class did well on it, then there was no way it was all the instructor's fault. Think about it, there is no way someone guesses on all the answers and just happens to get enough right.

If there are 20 questions, and everyone guesses on the answer, yes, statistically some will happen to get enough right.

law of averages

n. The principle holding that probability will influence all occurrences in the long term.

BSNtobe2009 · Nov 30, 2006

this happened to me in one of my nursing classes. and to prove that it wasn't her fault, our instructor had us match her lecture notes to the test and sure enough, she did her part. i think only 2 people got a passing grade, but it taught the rest of us to just study harder. your situation could be different, but i doubt your instructor gave a test that he/she thought was unfair.

See, that's the problem with teaching...instructors never think the problem is them, ever!

Teaching is so much more than getting in front of a room and spatting off a bunch of facts. If that were the case, they would be able to train anyone to do the job in a few months.

Teaching is A SKILL, and sadly, I would say about half of those in the profession do not posess that skill. Just because a professor had a 4.0 in college doesn't mean they know how to communicate any of that knowledge to another breathing soul...all it means is that they are an intellligent person and great at taking tests and have the right degree.

Teaching is coming to class fully prepared, having an ORGANIZED lecture, being able to read the class, knowing which parts of the course are more difficult and being able to communicate that to the class, and TEACH THEM how they can go home and learn the material, and if they are having troube learning it, teaching them to REFINE their abilities.

I am so sick and tired, of instructors that are staying in the education profession that have absolutely no business being there. If you hate your job, get out. If you don't like the pay, get out. If you feel you have to abuse your students to get your daily ego trip, get out. If you don't like the school administration, get out. It's like any other job...you don't have to stay there and make everyone else miserable because you are!

Deans and administrators also need to get off their hiney's and figure out what is going on in the classroom. If you have a teacher that is consistently having the majority of the students fail a class or do poorly, you need to find a replacement for that instructor. If a nursing program is losing more than half it's students before graduation, find another Director.

How hard can it be?

Don't take it out on those that you are getting PAID to teach...teaching ISN'T A ONE-WAY STREET!

Teaching, regardless of what level, seems to be the one job, where you can function with the least amount of supervision, do the least amount of work, and can go for years not going your job, before anyone holds you accountable.

This is NOT directed toward the ones that make an effort to do their job and do their job well.

Competent teachers is by far, my single most hot-button topic :angryfire . They are getting paid pretty good salaries considering most college-level professors don't even work 40 hours a week. Ever tried to find one after 2:00 in the afternoon? They all disappear.

Cherish · Nov 30, 2006

See, that's the problem with teaching...instructors never think the problem is them, ever!
Teaching is so much more than getting in front of a room and spatting off a bunch of facts. If that were the case, they would be able to train anyone to do the job in a few months.
Teaching is A SKILL, and sadly, I would say about half of those in the profession do not posess that skill. Just because a professor had a 4.0 in college doesn't mean they know how to communicate any of that knowledge to another breathing soul...all it means is that they are an intellligent person and great at taking tests and have the right degree.
Teaching is coming to class fully prepared, having an ORGANIZED lecture, being able to read the class, knowing which parts of the course are more difficult and being able to communicate that to the class, and TEACH THEM how they can go home and learn the material, and if they are having troube learning it, teaching them to REFINE their abilities.
I am so sick and tired, of instructors that are staying in the education profession that have absolutely no business being there. If you hate your job, get out. If you don't like the pay, get out. If you feel you have to abuse your students to get your daily ego trip, get out. If you don't like the school administration, get out. It's like any other job...you don't have to stay there and make everyone else miserable because you are!
Deans and administrators also need to get off their hiney's and figure out what is going on in the classroom. If you have a teacher that is consistently having the majority of the students fail a class or do poorly, you need to find a replacement for that instructor. If a nursing program is losing more than half it's students before graduation, find another Director.
How hard can it be?
Don't take it out on those that you are getting PAID to teach...teaching ISN'T A ONE-WAY STREET!
Teaching, regardless of what level, seems to be the one job, where you can function with the least amount of supervision, do the least amount of work, and can go for years not going your job, before anyone holds you accountable.
This is NOT directed toward the ones that make an effort to do their job and do their job well.
Competent teachers is by far, my single most hot-button topic :angryfire . They are getting paid pretty good salaries considering most college-level professors don't even work 40 hours a week. Ever tried to find one after 2:00 in the afternoon? They all disappear.

Sounds like your having a hard time with an instructor , just a little bit off topic. But think the OP should talk to the instructor regarding the test if it is going to be in a comprehensive on the final. Overall the OP will do fine, they stated that the class average was NOT failing it was just this particular test this happens sometimes. I for one do not believe in curves so, if its just happening in one test and not happening all the time it was just a one time deal no biggie. Just study hardier, review, and stick to areas that will mainly be on the the test. Use the instructors conference times if you ever have problems and make an appointment. Good Luck on the next test not everyone out there is out the to getcha like some people may lead you to believe :lol2: