8th grade computers. I'm not sure the exact title of the class, but there was a coding component to it. Supposedly they had an assignment. Which none of them were doing.
Instead, they all seemed to be on Cookie Clicker. The goal of the game, as far as I can tell, is to click on that cookie as many times as they can. Over and over and over again. I haven't discerned why.
Games come and go. Not more than a month ago, it seemed like they were all playing Agar.io. Where they're a little spot and they acquire other little spots until they become a big spot.
Anyway, I knew that they had something they were supposed to be doing, so I browbeat a few of them into checking the online assignment sheet. Dutifully, they clicked on the thing they were supposed to be doing, and they found an error message.
Great. So, I did something I never, ever do. I called the teacher.
He left his phone number in the lesson plan. Many teachers do this, but I try not to call. They're out of class for a reason, and I don't want to disturb them. But with a room full of middle schoolers who had nothing to do...
The teacher sounded awful. Clearly he was sick. I explained the situation. He said he'd check the link.
Five minutes later, the link had been updated. But it ended up taking them to exactly the same site as before (with its error message).
So, they all played Cookie Clicker. One of them figured out how to modify the code so that it clicked all by itself, and all he had to do was sit back and watch. I suppose that was kind of educational...
Okay, I have to admit I clicked on the CookieClickr; couldn't quite get the gest of the game but my cookies were popular in the neighborhood. Seems to be in would be hard on one's wrist and fingers to click along rapidly like that.
ReplyDeletebetty
I know, right! I couldn't see the appeal.
DeleteI remember when we played Pac Man and Centipede... These games these days;-)
ReplyDeleteI think you can now find those games online someplace. I'd better not tell them, though.
DeleteWell, what are you going to do at that point?
ReplyDeleteWell, you did your best and if they play...can't blame them:)
ReplyDeleteMeta games are weirdly addictive. And one of them did learn how to make it "click" itself, so that's something :).
ReplyDeleteWell, what can you do?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what any of those games are. I think "computers class" has changed a lot since I was in it!
I provided links, just in case you want to see what the fuss is about.
DeleteThere are two kinds of computer classes. Business classes where students learn how to type and use the business applications. And then the classes where they actually learn how to code. It's kind of cool.
I've never even heard of those games!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't either until I saw the kiddos playing them.
DeleteI'm starting to feel old!
ReplyDeleteJust spend an hour with them in a classroom. You'll feel ancient in no time.
DeleteI am beginning to get the idea that kids don't do anything in school anymore unless the teacher is standing on top of them!!
ReplyDeleteI kind of think that's the way it's always been.
DeleteClever little bugger who found the code loop hole...If they can do that the task could well have been beneath 'em anyway.
ReplyDeleteDo kids still steal the mouse balls? - Yeh it's been a while since I was in a computer class.
I kind of think they're actually learning something if they could do that. And I feel less like a slug not going after them more.
DeleteWow that sounds absolutely...thrilling. lol
ReplyDeleteOK, I clicked. 201 cookies later, my right arm is falling off. It might shortly match my sciatic left leg in pain. Gee, thanks. Seriously, changing the code on that - could you send me that student's phone number? (only kidding-I think.) Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteJust imagine a room full of students just clicking over and over. I don't know how they do it.
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