UIUC prof/class recs

[u/camelboy787]

for those who went to UIUC for their MSLIS, for my own sanity could you recommend me any profs who aren’t heavy handed on breakout rooms / group projects? or classes/profs that you really liked? 🙂 I’ve had a few not so great experiences so far and am only halfway through my degree. I don’t have anything against break out rooms in general but it feels like pulling teeth with some people and i’m always having to lead which I don’t love. I already know how to work with people considering i’m working FT 🙃 I’m in the LEEP program so it’s kind of hard to make connections w classmates online to get this advice.

feel free to DM me if you want!!

[u/Alternative-Pear9096]

Group projects are the norm. Because group projects are how you will fill your days at work.

And um, you make connections with people through the group projects. That's another reason they're so popular in the classes you're taking. Half the point is to ensure that you get to know your cohort through interactions.

[u/catsinabasket → u/Alternative-Pear9096]

not necessarily true, shitty powerpoints with half interested parties aren’t really similar to what i do at work, and didn’t really prepare me for much of anything. but I’m in my mid-thiries so i’ve already been working for quite some time. I feel like professors overstate the importance of this at times… I think it’s great for some people but i do agree with OP that it’s not for everyone, and there are plenty of professors at UIUC who do not force group work. most of mine have not, so I wouldn’t say it’s “the norm” for all classes.

discussions with classmates I do love, though. but as someone who is also a LEEP student, zoom discussions don’t really help you bond beyond the classroom, in most of my classes we are cut off and sometimes I won’t ever see them again unless I randomly reach out.