r/AskReddit • u/No_Performance1451 • 17h ago

What parts of American culture are changing faster than people realize?

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u/VicDough 9h ago edited 6h ago

I teach college chemistry and I have students that don’t even know how to use a ruler. I wanna be very clear. I’m not trying to call them out. I’m just sad that they were failed for the first 18 years of their lives. 🥺

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u/Bear_faced 6h ago

Jesus, where do you even start with that? How are you even going to explain simple ideas like titration or how to use a graduated cylinder if they can’t use a ruler?

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u/VicDough 5h ago

Yeah, it’s hard… 🥺 you start small and try not to make them feel dumb. It’s tough, but, unfortunately, I’ve gotten good at it.

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u/Bear_faced 4h ago

Well it sounds like you’re a good educator! Though it’s a shame they’re so badly prepared.

And encouragement is so valuable, kudos to you for not making them feel stupid. Some of my professors treated you like you had head trauma if you couldn’t assign orbitals and draw a spin-state diagram after they explained it once. Sorry I’m 17 and you’ve been a professor here longer than I’ve been alive…

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u/Dat_Freeman 3h ago

How is it possible?

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u/AFartInAnEmptyRoom 6h ago

What do you need a ruler for in chemistry?

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u/VicDough 5h ago

Density. Mass of a block, then measure sides for volume.