Grades are in the process of being posted so here goes. Monday morning started with Introduction to Electronic Media. A more appropriate title would have been Introduction to Wasting Time. Eighteen weeks gone and the only thing I learned was that the instructor should not be teaching at a university (in English); because by teaching I mean direct reading off his PowerPoint done with poor intonation and mispronunciation of many words.Books were not required for this course as the professor provided us with material although it was quite dated. Perhaps this course was meant to be called the History of Electronic Media? I should mention that all readings were copied and pasted directly from these handouts. Yawn.
Three weeks prior to our tour of ICRT, he repeatedly pushed the radio station, made us watch a video of last year's class (twice) and then spent three hours on giving us directions. Google Maps is fairly self explanatory, no?
The course outline and the class content didn't match up exactly. We ran around the history of Radio. He showed us Pirate Radio and as the film played he continually told us what was going to happen before it happened. He wins a prize for the worst person ever to watch a movie with.
Our mid-term project consisted of two reports titled "My Favorite Radio Program" and "My Favorite TV Program", both to be 700 - 900 words. Some classmates complained that was too much so he agreed to extend the date for one assignment. After stating he would give two grades and average those out, I spoke to him privately noting that I only had the opportunity of one grade since I had submitted both reports together as per his original instruction. Brownie points? Ask and you shall receive; a week later my grade had magically raised by 5%.
On to the history of TV and cable. We viewed EdTV since it has TV in the title? This is purely a guess on my part. Most of the semester was spent in the 50s. We ventured into the 70s but only briefly before heading back to the 60s. What about the 80s? The 90s? 2011? Hello?
A guest speaker came to discuss cable television within Taiwan. He had a half hour of material but it seemed that the professor had planned on him being there for a full two hours; and with no backup plan, the teacher made him stay. It was a little awkward.
A tour of Taiwan's Public Television Station was OK, but I didn't learn anything. Next class, the prof introduced satellites by showing us documentaries on war while he slipped out of class with phone to ear. Unfortunately, I had stopped tuning in weeks prior.
Don't get me wrong. Outside of class, the professor seems like a nice guy. He's a retired professional that has done well in his industry. Is he suitable for Electronic Media in today's world? Nope.
Things you shouldn't do in class: answer your phone (number of occasions), throw on a movie and disappear, show up for a half hour and then excuse yourself for a meeting (twice).
Introduction to Electronic Media = an expensive movie theater with somewhat sucky choices and uncomfortable seats.
And so it begins with CON in the lead. I do feel confident that PRO will win in the end but this class certainly did not make the cut. Not even close.
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