Election Day

We had a little teambuilding exercise in my 1st Period class this morning. I think that it helped to break the ice a little bit, as I made sure that kids were paired for the exercise that would not normally work together. I think that the kids had fun and might have learned a little something. Then, we got back to work on our Computer Terminology projects.

I continue to be sort of surprised at how Junior High school kids struggle to follow directions. For our project, I have written out step-by-step instructions as to how to complete the project, yet kids cannot seem to get two straight steps completed without asking for help. Maybe I am being too complicated on my directions, but I don't think so. This is something that I must need to work on.

We were commenting today at how easily some of our kids "give up." Mr. Denise was saying that he thinks that there must be a connection between the right arms of kids and their brains, that when the arm is up, the brains stop working. I have seen this a lot. My story the other day about J., who sounded irritated that he had to figure something out on the computer by himself because I wouldn't go help him in time is a good example.

We had Mr. Denise in class for 3rd Period again. He showed us how to batch process pictures and create an online photo album. Pretty neat stuff. 5th Period class is finishing up their business website. The next assignment for the class is a frames website having to do with candidates in the election. Unfortunately, Mr. Jewett is showing kids in ones and twos how to move on to the next project as they finish their business site. This is very confusing and appears to be stratifying the class even more than it already is. Plus, Mr. Jewett is giving the same lecture over and over again. This is making me a little nuts.

I begged out of Study Hall this afternoon so that I could get to the polls and vote. I will cover Study Hall tomorrow, as he has a meeting that he must attend.

After voting, I ran over to CSU to meet with Robert and put the finishing touches on our 325 project presentation. You remember that? It is the "1/2 of all our points for the semester" project that is due this Friday. We were told last week that we would have to give a presentation on our project for the class today, then polish up the project for submission on Friday. Robert and I finished up some lesson plans and printed up some handouts for the class. All in all, Robert and I probably have put 25-30 hours or so in on this project over the last 2-3 days between the two of us. Well, guess what? Not only did we not give any presentations today, but the due date for the project has been pushed back to the 12th of November.

Why the hell do I bother?

Dr. Yohon had her friend Patsy from Boulder come in to class again, this time bringing up three of her students from her class to tell us more about "how they do things in Boulder." What a complete waste of time! Sure, they are great kids, but please! The last hour of class, Dr. Yohon shoveled a 2 inch stack of paper in our direction, trying to "cover" subjects that she missed over the course of the last 11 weeks. It was pathetic.

I can honestly say that this course has been the biggest waste of my time of any college course in my memory. I am particularly irritated at the fact that Robert and I (and the rest of the class too, of course) have been busting our ass to get projects and assignments done on time, only to find that the projects have been cancelled or changed at the last minute.

Argh!