"I'm just sitting here."
Today I was going over Microsoft Excel. And as I'm walking around to help a student, another student (let's call her "Beeker") is sitting in front of her computer with no programs open, just the desktop. So I ask, "You okay?" She says "Yeah, I'm just sitting here." and she continues to stare blankly into the infinite void of the wallpaper. (excuse the creative poetry) Or, at least that's how it looked. I said "Ok." and continued on. I already know what's up.
When I went back to the board, she's busy at her keyboard again. Then, as I walk over to help another student, Beeker turns her screen so I can't see what she's doing.
She was looking at some "profile" websites, and e-mailing some of them.
After class, I walk over to her, and say "I need you to pay attention in class, not try to meet someone online, you're here to learn." She says "I know, I was just sitting there. I'm tired. Besides, I already know all this."
And just the week before, she asked me to help her make a spreadsheet for her portfolio. And I know, she'll ask again in a few days. Better yet, she'll probably say I didn't help her. I can't wait.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
"Ooh! Let me help!"
What's worse than a student who doesn't pay attention? One that pays too much attention.
I was about to start a lesson, when one student told me that she wanted to help me. She'd work the computer (hooked up to a projector) while I explained at the board. As I explained, I had to help her focus on what I was doing, instead of going ahead of the lesson. At one point, I asked her to list some names, she listed a few names of her classmates. When I asked to list a certain pay rate, she listed a different amount. I asked her to change it, she didn't. I asked again, maybe she didn't hear me. She looks up and says "I can't, that's my friend."
I said, "Ok, but we're doing a lesson. we need to have the same numbers." She replied, ""But that's not fair, she has three kids! I'm NOT going to underpay her. She needs that money."
I was amazed (once again)
I had to ACTUALLY say "It's not real money." Which did almsot nothing, because she replied "I'm not going to do that to her. She's a mother, and she needs it. Why should she have to suffer?" LIKE IT WAS REAL MONEY!!!
What's worse than a student who doesn't pay attention? One that pays too much attention.
I was about to start a lesson, when one student told me that she wanted to help me. She'd work the computer (hooked up to a projector) while I explained at the board. As I explained, I had to help her focus on what I was doing, instead of going ahead of the lesson. At one point, I asked her to list some names, she listed a few names of her classmates. When I asked to list a certain pay rate, she listed a different amount. I asked her to change it, she didn't. I asked again, maybe she didn't hear me. She looks up and says "I can't, that's my friend."
I said, "Ok, but we're doing a lesson. we need to have the same numbers." She replied, ""But that's not fair, she has three kids! I'm NOT going to underpay her. She needs that money."
I was amazed (once again)
I had to ACTUALLY say "It's not real money." Which did almsot nothing, because she replied "I'm not going to do that to her. She's a mother, and she needs it. Why should she have to suffer?" LIKE IT WAS REAL MONEY!!!
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