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By Siavash Emamzadeh

ack in high school, a
lot of students spent the
waning seconds at the

start of their math class wandering
aimlessly, hoping for some sort

of excuse to not attend. Perhaps,
they thought, one of the hallway’s
fluorescent lights would drop on
their head or a heavy backpack
would knock them over. Whatever
the case, they hoped for an
accident requiring hospitalization.
After all, it is math, one of

the most hated and terrifying
disciplines.

Now in college, those
students still head to math class,
preparing for a subject that they
still consider the mother of all
pains, proceeding with heavy,
dragging and reluctant footsteps.

However, students of Wesley
Snider, math instructor here at
Douglas College, have good
reason to frolic to lecture.

Wesley, also the chair of
the math department, makes
learning math less intimidating.
His lectures are interspersed with
humour, and are supported by
clear and understandable lessons.
And what’s more, he is one of
the nicest and most approachable
professors out there.

So naturally, it seemed like
a good idea to interview Wesley
and ask him about his teaching
and things like “ratemyprofessors.
com”, favourite music, television
shows and other fun things.
Fortunately, he was nice enough to

12

 

take time out of his busy schedule
to answer my questions—with a
lot of candidness too!

Other Press: Have you ever
visited ratemyprofessors.com, a
website that enables

students to rate teachers?
Wesley: Yes, I have. I recall
checking it from time to time
when it was relatively new. I don’t
look at it so often anymore. I think
perhaps the novelty has worn off.
OP: Has it ever been mentioned
among your coworkers?

W: Yes, although usually in a
joking way. If an instructor has
a particularly low class average
on an exam, a colleague may
suggest—in mock horror—

that the instructor’s rating on
ratemyprofessors.com will take
a beating. The site is primarily

a source of entertainment. The
whole chilli pepper thing is
amusing.

OP: You rate 4.6 out of five
overall and a three on “average
easiness.” What do you say to
that?

W: Well I don’t take the site too
seriously. Every few years I give
my students an instructor/course
evaluation in order get feedback
on my performance.

The problem with the website
feedback is that one usually gets
the extremes. The only people who
are going to log on to comment
are those that love you or loathe
you. I haven’t seen any comments
to the effect of, “Yeah, I guess
he’s satisfactory.” When you think

 

UT 2
Sea]
GENERATION.

The future of the environment is in

your hands. Study a practical science
for a greener world.

Visit bcit.ca, search ‘natural sciences’

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