The know-it-all

Theory: know-it-alls know little things, but can't see the big picture

Published on June 9, 2004 By Angloesque In Blogging

One of my students is a know-it-all. When I test my students, I make the tests hard (see other blogs about that) and I make sure they apply what we've learned in class to everyday life. This class is all about seeing all sides to arguments and using them well.

Then there's the know-it-all. She picks on any question if it's not exactly how I told them it would be on the review, and she'll correct multiple choice questions so that they're correct, then circle the letter. I make multiple choice parts to tests so I can grade quickly--I don't want to be stuck reading through her chicken scratch. So I mark her off for those, and then she gets mad.

I assigned my students to see "The Passion of the Christ" at the beginning of term without telling them why. Later, in class, we discussed whether or not they thought it was anti-Semitic, and none did (I teach at a Christian college, BTW). Then I brought in a film critic, who happened not to like the movie, and had him discuss it with them in general terms. He gave enough reasons that he didn't like it that they should have been able to disagree on something. Finally, on the final test, I asked them how their opinion differed from his, and what kind of good it did to hear another person's opinion, especially if they disagreed with it. The purpose of this was twofold: One, to make sure they could internalize another person's argument, and Two, to see the value in other people's opinions when they differed from the students'.

My know-it-all said on her test, "First of all, I'd just like to say that in class we discussed whether or not the film was anti-Semitic, not whether or not we liked it...."

I want to give her a zero for being mouthy, which I won't and couldn't, anyway. But if she thinks she's smarter than me, why doesn't she just drop the damn class or CLEP it or something? If she challenged me in class, I'd love it--I love it when students ask me questions and I have to think of answers on the spot. I feel intelligent and I actually get some mental exercise. It's great. But when they're passive-agressive about it, and only make little snide comments on paper, I want to backhand them and say "Quit being picky and look at the bigger picture."

The worst thing is that this know-it-all gets an A even though her tiny mind can't look up from errors to see the bigger picture. With her, I failed to make her see what argumentation is all about: there are multiple sides to everything.

Comments

Sally jacobs

on Jun 09, 2004

I have to admit I was a bit of a know-it-all at college, I think my teacher must have being thinking the same about me. I was different though, it was a sociology class, and I challenged him during the class. Mostly because I found it the most boring three hours of my life, and the only way I got any kind of entertainment out of it, was arguing a point, i didn't nessecarily agree with, but as you said it was mental exercise for both of us. The way she does it, shows that even the most intelligent minds have their faults, and one day that behaviour will catch up with her!

MasonM

on Jun 09, 2004

I feel for you. I only taught for two years, but I had a student similar. Only difference was, he would challenge my statements in class. I really enjoyed it although his debating and reasoning skills left a great deal to be desired. Almost every day he used at least part of class time to argue some small point or other.

While I enjoyed it greatly, and he was actually a very good student, I feared that I would lose him. You see, he was one of those "disadvantaged students". He was physically handicapped and of a "minority" race. But, he was very very bright.

After I quit teaching he and a few of my other students showed up at my home while I was working in my garage lab. They said they had "just come by" (they had to drive 40 miles) to tell me how much they loved my classes. The boy I am referring to told me how much he appreciated the fact that I always considered his viewpoints and countered them without "babying" him because of his disabilities.

I understand that student is now very succesful in the computer science lab of a well known university. (And he still drives people crazy)

Perhaps this student is just trying to assert her intellect. Ya never know. It's the really bright ones that drive ya nuts. Now, I'm not saying I fall into that category, but I know I drove my instructors crazy.

Angloesque

on Jun 09, 2004

See, I totally agree with you two on the level of being challenged in class. That shows both guts and brains on the part of the student. But sitting silently in class while you disagree (and we have small classes) and only disagreeing with technicalities is missing the big picture. I hate that part.

I do wonder if, in X years, I'll ever have students who'll say they enjoyed my classes. I really hope so. A couple said so at the end of the quarter--I just hope they meant it. Hard to tell sometimes.

-T

Madine

on Jun 09, 2004

First of all, I'd just like to say that in class we discussed whether or not the film was anti-Semitic, not whether or not we liked it....

There's a title for people like that... Captain Obvious

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