How open you’re to criticism?

Being me, it’s very hard indeed. For example, I let one of my sister drove us the other day using my car because I cannot ‘tahan’ her already. Previously, when I drove & she’s right beside me – she kept on saying things like, “Brake-brake cepat!” unnecessarily plus some foot actions down there & sometimes lelap2 mata some more. How annoying was that?! But put her in the driving seat and she’s saying, “Kete kau ni dah lama tak check alignment & bearing ke?” Clutch pad kau ni dah payah ni, nak kena …Kete kau ni berat la…Blahblah…
Worst, I couldn’t even stand my MAV –a measly material thing- being criticized!

Now, let say you’re in the position of knowing about a ‘difficulty’ that a friend is having without him actually knowing its existence. A friend of a friend (who is not really my friend- if you know what I mean) mentioned (not once) that the students are having problems to understand his class; the lectures are delivered fast; no spoon feeding (I could understand his intention of doing this) aka complete notes given (the course has no textbook – more like wide reading materials & industry references); not much on presentation (no eye contact) blahblah…I personally knew how much he worked hard to prepare for each lecture; so now I’m being put in the difficult position whether to tell him or not. Knowing him personally, he’ll not take it kindly that me (an outsider – Siapa kau? Sudah ada dr? Senior?) who has got nothing to do with his class or whatever has got something not-so-nice to say about it. But if I don’t, then what if there is student’s evaluation of teaching staff (part of the ISO thingie) and the big boss come to know about it thus affecting his performance review? Most importantly, at the end of the day, did the students gain something/knowledge from course? I did asked the informer to speak directly to him regarding this issue but nobody from the class dare to do so. Don’t bite the hand that feed you eh? Pity the students lor but at their level, I do think that they should stand up for their rights (insert the image of a typical old but real professor -who has written numerous textbooks, published more articles & even came up with his own portfolio theory - mumbling all to himself ala syiok sendiri while all students in the big lecture hall tried to keep themselves otherwise occupied –bleh!) – And we always say, customer is king!

On his side, I know myself is surely gonna be pissed as hell if they (the students) dare to say, “We don’t understand a thing!” How could they? Come to class unprepared and expect sort of ‘divine revelation’ from a weekly 3hr lectures & thus pass with flying colour? I would say, “In your dream dude…”

As educators (never claim to be one but the job title entitles us to it), ‘pedagogi pendidikan’ is never in our syllabus. We’re specialist (at least going to be la) in our own niche but-but…can never beat learning how to teach through experience. From what little experience that I had, completing the syllabus (not applicable if we’re talking about SPM here) isn’t important at all. Engaging the students’ attention (again open communication) through little things like asking about their days/problems at the start of each session, tailoring the materials to individual’s needs & circumstances, blahblah…If they’re happy (& you too) then at the end of the day you just need to guide them a bit by saying, “Ok, kamu semua balik & baca Bab X/buat latihan. Next cls, kita bincang. Ini masuk exam tau!” Heheheh…ngajor ilmu sesat ke ni?

Oh, while I couldn’t stand people who sweet talk me or compliment me unnecessarily (shy lor), I do realized that no one is ever perfect. Thus criticisms in appropriate context (read: constructive criticism) do functions to improve our lot in life. E.g. I need to take (encourage some more) criticism from my advisors regarding my thesis otherwise how is my drafts are ever going to be the final completely spellbinding manuscript eh?

So, anything you want to say to me?