When the exams were returned with the depressing grade average and Prof. K announced that the class could negotiate how the exam grades could be improved but 100% of the class had to agree, I knew that there would be chaos. At that particular moment, I said to myself, OH NO, NOT THIS. I felt that the class was too large to come to an agreement that would benefit everyone and some classmates have very strong personalities. So, for me, I took the position of avoidance. I really wanted no part of this situation. When it was time to negotiate, I turned the students sitting next to me and we discussed what was most important to us and most of us agreed. Then we sat backed and watched and listened to other suggestions just in case we missed anything. I did think about the amount of work this would put on the Professor and about the students who did really well on the exam. What benefit would these students get from this groveling?
At one point, I felt that the class was out of control in the way they spoke to each other (using profanity). This will not work well in a corporate situation. The best thing that happened is when the one gentleman got up and, yes, snatched the marker and started writing down items and having the other classmates to agree on things that we wanted and trying to get a 100% agreement. As time was dwindling down, I wanted to make a few suggestions and raised my hand, and tried to speak but was not heard. Most of my interests and those of my group were agreed upon so there was not much left to said. My actions would probably be the same the next time as this group is so huge but I will try to speak up sooner because a few should listen to the wants and needs of the whole.
