Technological victory
The other day, I went to an orientation for a new program we're having installed on all the computers in the English classrooms. It's a freakin' Godsend. It enables the teacher to freeze, power down, spy on and completely usurp control over any and all student computers. That may sound totally Big Brother to you - and it is - but trust me, if you've never taught in a class where students have net access, then you won't be able to sympathize. I think I'm a pretty lax teacher. I tell my students they don't have to listen to me as long as they don't make too noise and don't do anything inappropriate or illegal online. And what do my students do? Gamble. Download all sorts of weird things (which I suspect are NC-17 in nature) and talk so loudly, the ones who do want to listen, can't. And MSN. Goddarn MSN. That constant click-click-click of them chatting online is enough to drive even the most determined teacher crazy, and I'm not that determined. But now - I have the power! With one tap on the mouse button, I can blank screens at a whim. Mwahahaha. You can't see it, but I'm rubbing my hands in glee like an imp. Loud, chatty students? Haha, you're blanked! Checking illicit email during a lesson? Well, lookie, here, I got my 1984-style access on and I am logging you out. Hey, in the war to educate young minds, you take what you can get.
Final thought: It's the small victories that add up.
posted by: ammegan (reply)
post date: 05.30.07 (6:22 am)
So, you're a teacher?
Nice blog!
posted by: ropoy (reply)
post date: 05.30.07 (6:30 am)
Cool! Show them who's the BOSS!
posted by: lostin2007 (reply)
post date: 05.30.07 (9:57 pm)
That is so cool. The students should be listening to you anyway, not doing all the other stuff. All of the other stuff is not going to help them get an education. I say blank them all! Big Brother doesn't apply in this situation because you are in a classroom and you are teaching them.
posted by: saycheese (reply)
post date: 05.31.07 (7:42 am)
Wicked!!! I wish my computer class had that program too, as the person beside me always be on msn and then kept asking me later that, how to do that, do this..etc. It's really annoying!!! And guess what, she's 30ish!!!
posted by: SupremeAnna (reply)
post date: 06.03.07 (5:26 am)
Reply to: ammegan
Yes, I teach, but I don't know that I'm much of a teacher, lol. Thanks for your comments on my blog. :D
posted by: SupremeAnna (reply)
post date: 06.03.07 (5:26 am)
Reply to: ropoy
I love being BOSS. LOL, just joking, but not much :p
posted by: SupremeAnna (reply)
post date: 06.03.07 (5:28 am)
Reply to: lostin2007
LOL, yeah, it would be nice to have students listening to me, but I understand it's hard sometimes. and it makes me feel better to know that big brother doesn't apply - free reign, yeah! :D
posted by: SupremeAnna (reply)
post date: 06.03.07 (5:30 am)
Reply to: saycheese
oh god, i had the same situation with this girl in my class, she kept talking while i tried to take notes. in the end, i had to just move to a seat next to the wall, and ask someone else to sit next to me. lol. i am mean. but she deserved it. maybe in your comp class, u can reachover and pull the power when she's not looking, lol.