Gord--The workshop I'm taking is an extension class (think "adult education") at the University. Most of the class has really bought into the "teacher (published novelist) knows all" mentality. Unfortunately, this resulted in changing our workshopping method to the teacher performing her critique, and then everyone else chipping in for about 5-10 minutes after.

I'm a big believer in peer critiques. I assume that anyone who enjoys writing loves to read and has strong opinions. I can benefit from hearing about their reaction to my writing. The individuals I mentioned in the original post discredit the peer critiques because, like them, we're the slobs on the audience side of the panel discussion.

Like you, I've taught writing (freshman- and sophomore-level composition while I was in grad school), and it used to drive me nuts during student conferences when students asked me what they needed to do to get an A on their paper. They just wanted a checklist.