For the past two years, I have been teaching a computer literacy/home page
development class as an elective. I do require some work -- open note
tests, research and Powerpoint presentation on their research, software
development, and basic computer troubleshooting. This is a one-semester
class.
Last week our guidance counselor who is in charge of assigning the elective
classes told me that only one student had signed up for computer literacy
and he was a repeater from last semester so I would be doing a study hall
instead. This really bothers me. Yes, the study hall is a lot easier than
planning lessons for my computer literacy class, but it really concerns me
that students would rather waste time than learn something which they can
use later. It was like pulling teeth to get the students to turn in their
assignments last semester and I am not the only teacher with this problem.
When I finally got the assignment, the student had not followed directions,
the work was incomplete, and the presentations were read word for word from
the Powerpoint instead of done properly. Students were given detailed
written instructions when assignments were given out.
Many of my parents told me that they felt that the computer literacy class
was one of the most important classes their child could take. Since I am
planning to retire at the end of the year, this is their last opportunity to
take the class since a new librarian may be content with a study hall or may
teach something entirely different. The choice of what to teach during
elective time is up to the instructor. When I first went to the school 8
years ago, students were really taking advantage of their elective time and
a variety of interesting courses were taught.
It seems that students want to blame others for their own shortcomings and
feel that they should be given a good grade regardless of the quality of
work turned in.
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Madeline L. Buchanan
Library Media Specialist
W. J. Christian School (K-8)
Birmingham, AL
Voice: (205) 231-5277
Fax: (205) 231-5279
Email: mlbuchanan1@charter.net
http://mlbuchan.home.hiwaay.net
http://www.wwisp.com/~wjcs/
"The imagination should be allowed a certain
amount of time to browse around."
--Thomas Merton
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