I might just be an old curmudgeon, but I would be furious if someone did something like that to me--or even messed about at all with my workspace and work materials. That sort of behaviour would not be tolerated in most professional work places, and I do not see how there would be much difference in the appropriateness of behaviour in that setting and in a postgraduate programme. ( and the British spelling is pouring effortlessly from the keyboard-----usually I have to think about how to spell certain words!!)

Perhaps just as well I am not having to share offices with anyone...!

In American law schools ( a professional doctorate) you are marked on how well you participate in the class room. It is a HUGE part of what is expected from the students. That, and attendance is mandatory, and people can get excluded from a particular course if they miss too many times without being excused in advance or providing adequate reasons. The infamous Socratic method! All the materials on how people learn show that they only retain something like 5% if they passively sit and take notes, and much higher the more involved they become during the lecture, hence, the effectiveness of small group activities, and interactive learning. Of course, the person doing the lecture retains the most material, from the exercise of having to prepare and give the lecture!

I know how you feel badhaircut I am going throught the exact same thing with a class at the moment. Talking is not the problem but blank stares are unfortunately. I thought they might 'come out of their shells' after a couple of weeks but I had the class for the third time yesterday and it's just getting worse.

It is especially confusing because I taught the same class last year and it went great - everyone got involved in discussions and people actually said to me that the class was really interesting! Oh well I guess that teaches me a lesson - what works with one group may fall flat on its face with another group. I don't know what I'm going to do next week

"In American law schools ( a professional doctorate) you are marked on how well you participate in the class room. It is a HUGE part of what is expected from the students."

That's interesting that you mention that: on our teaching course we were advised that American exchange students will usually be much more vocal in a class, and were told that, indeed, it's because they're used to being graded on participation.

I agree, a jokes a joke - but sometimes you can go too far- Pornography can get people fired

thats not to say you can't have fun - just make sure you don't go past a joke

On the other hand some dry ice bombs or rockets are always a good laugh

No idea how it would go over in the British system, but I have done some guest lectures and even some emergency fill in lectures at the hometown law school in America, and did small group interactive exercises. Each group was given a different idea to analyze on the materials ( they were split up arbitrarily by counting off in class, 1-2-3-4 so they would not know in advance what question they had or what group they would be in, forced them to work with people they did not know)

Each group had 10-15 minutes to discuss, come up with 3 or 4 main points to report back to the large group, then a brief synopsis, etc, from me as the lecturer to try to tie the points together.

Although it met with some initial resistance, the students got on board with it, and actually came up with some interesting and insightful points.

Is something along those lines an option for your class?

The point about Americans being more vocal--yes--not just the law education system, but the entire education system really has a focus on students speaking up and participating in class discussions. It seems odd to me to do a lecture here and not have students volunteering to offer a point of view or ask questions--as you say, just the sort of blank look--very off putting.

It has gotten so bad that I had this horrific dream about it last night.

In my dream I walked into the lecture hall with a high powered rifle and a box of "Celebrations". I stood up on the dais and said:

"Okay! Here is how it is going to be. We are going to be DISCUSSING infant neural development today. I am going to ask a question. Whoever answers gets a sweet. Whoever, answers gets a sweet. If no one answers, I start going down the register with old faithful here..."

NB. In case the authorities are reading this. I have no intention of harming any of my students. I do not own a firearm. I cannot control the content of my dreams.

Well that would work really well with our toddler group. For undergrads - maybe replace the sweets with beers..

Can you make each of them or a group of them responsible for reporting to the class on a section of reading or an assignment?!

Yesterday I was at a conference and later some of us went into town for a few drinks. I was more than a little drunk and ended up jumping into a taxi with this guy I met. I turned to the taxi driver to give him directions, then I realised: he was one of my students... Nooooooo! He was very nice about it, but I've never felt so awkward in all my life!

olivia cry baby

Mellib--if I am understanding you correctly, you are upset because I have not posted the very famous and delicious recipe for Hot and Sour Smoke Trout with Cashews, a recipe of the British Trout Association.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/hotandsoursmokedtrou_4955.shtml

My apologies, it just did not seem to fit into this thread, but I would not want to leave someone wanting a trout recipe! This hot and sour trout salad might indeed bring tears to your eyes, but they would be tears of joy, due to the unusual and rich flavours this recipe yields.

Enjoy!