Tom Wayman Response

Question

For my 12th Grade English course I am required to respond to a poem entitled "Students" by (in my opinion, a great poet) Tom Wayman. While I was procrastinating I read some of his other poems; Did I Miss Anything?, for example. I understood those clearly, and actually had a good time reading them. But I cannot seem to right a well thought out response on this topic. I believe I understand what he speaks of, but unless there is some deeper meaning, I believe I hit a road block. It is quite depressing too, as this is my last assignment before getting the booklet graded...

Anyway, here is what I have managed to write so far:

The poem, “Students” by Tom Wayman, explores the theories of education. It focuses on the point that everyone holds a style of learning. Each of these styles have been formed off others, to the point where it becomes quite unique to each individual.

It also points out that over the years, the students dependency on the marks still has not changed. As he says, ”Wayman knew this notation would be pored over with more intensity than anything else Wayman taught.”

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

(Oh and I spent quite a time Googling for the poem, but I still haven't found it. If anyone needs it just let me know, and I will type it as soon as I can.)

Oisin · Accepted Answer

(Sorry for posting it in the wrong section before, and thanks for moving it to the correct one. Here is the poem since it looks like it is quite well hidden on Google.)

Tom Wayman
Students

The freshman class-list printouts
showed birthdates so recent
Wayman was sure the computer was in error.
One young man, however, was curious
about Wayman's mention near the start of term
of his old college newspaper:
"You were an editor when? Wow,
that's the year I was born."
The wisdom of the students
hadn't altered, though.
Wayman observed many clung to
The Vaccination Theory of Education
he remembered: once you have had a subject
you are immune
and never have to consider it again.
Other students continue to endorse
The Dipstick Theory of Education:
as with a car engine, where as long as the oil level
is above the add line
there is no need to put in more oil,
so if you receive a pass or higher
why put any more into learning?

At the front of the room, Wayman sweated
to reveal his alternative.
"Adopt The Kung Fu Theory of Education,"
he begged.
"Learning as self-defence. The more you understand
about what's occurring around you
the better prepared you are to deal with difficulties."

The students remained skeptical.
A young woman was a pioneer
of The Easy Listening Theory of Learning:
spending her hours in class
with her tape recorder earphones on,
silently enjoying a pleasanter world.
"Don't worry, I can hear you,"
she reassured Wayman
when after some days he was move to inquire.

Finally, at terms' end
Wayman inscribed after each now-familiar name on the list
the traditional single letter.
And whatever pedagogical approach
he or the students espouse,
Wayman knew this notation would be pored over
with more intensity
than anything else Wayman taught.
---

Well the assignment is to explain what the idea of the poem expresses about methods of learning. As per my original post, you can see I have the very basic idea that everyone has their own unique formula to it. But I fear that I may be missing a deeper meaning within the poem, and that even after reading it almost 50 times; refuses to pop out at me. Does anyone else see anything inside the cracks of this poem?

Anonymous · Answer

As I see it.

Finally, at terms' end
Wayman inscribed after each now-familiar name on the list
the traditional single letter.
And whatever pedagogical approach
he or the students espouse,
Wayman knew this notation would be pored over
with more intensity
than anything else Wayman taught.

He go to know the students by name, grouped them by 4 categories, as how he seen the students mostly, and not matter what path they take in life, it would be the mark meant most to the students, not what the taught the students. They will remember what mark they got in that course, not what he was teaching.

Anonymous · Answer

i really need help with  the extent to which one agrees or disagrees with the ideas presented in this poem can you help me please and one of ur own experiences related to learning

Anonymous · Answer

Funny thing, my daughter is busy googling for information on this same poem as she is also taking a grade 12 English course that requires a response to it.  Did you ever get any helpful replies?  She is really having a hard time with this assignment.

Anonymous · Answer

we are doing this for grade 11 and its not an easy poem to analyize

Anonymous · Answer

http://resource.rockyview.ab.ca/rvlc/ela301/keys/students_key.pdf

hope this helps i thought so

Anonymous · Answer

Hey Oisin, I am also taking this course. I only have a month to finish it or I won't go to university. Could help me with the other assignment. Do you live in Calgary?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

The last post that Orsin made was in September 2006.

Tom Wayman Response

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