Thursday, March 23, 2017

Speak Not, Google


Miguel and I are well acquainted. Last year I covered his 8th grade science class when they were behaving badly. I said some things that were not well thought out. He has not let me forget my slip.

ELD. They had specific book work to complete. Then they could get on computers to complete other tasks.

Miguel played around a lot. But, eventually he got to the point where he could get a computer. Did he get on task? Of course not.

You know how you can type something in to Google and have it speak it for you? (I'm not sure how this works. All I know is that it does exist.) Miguel knows. Because, while the rest of the class was busily working, his computer started spouting off something... rude...

The words weren't inappropriate per se, but the sentiment... And it was directed at the boy seated next to him.

Miguel lost his computer privileges. This period I had an instructional assistant. (I've worked with him many times.) He went looking for a think sheet for Miguel. At which point I realized I had a few that I "borrowed" for just such an occasion.

Freshmen boys...

31 comments:

  1. What is a "think sheet"? Sounds like you had another exciting day…

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    1. It's a "I did something wrong in class, so I get to fill out a thing about what I did wrong, why it was wrong, and how I can do better in the future" with a place for the parent to sign. That was a bit long to write out. (It has a specific name on campus, but as it goes along with the school name, I left it out.)

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  2. Was he hoping to blame it all on the computer!? haha....sounds like some of the boys I know around that age. "I didn't say it, the computer did"!! Takes a special person to be a teacher and I am not that kind of special.

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    1. I bet he was going to try that. Except, it was not something Google would say, and it used the boy's name...

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  3. Some kids can be just plain difficult!

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  4. Not a google feature that I know how to use...

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    1. Me neither. But I bet we could figure it out if we tried.

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  5. Someone did something like that when I was a Freshman in high school, although it wasn't audible. I...may have helped.

    Freshman (shudder). They grow up, right?

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  6. I know that Google feature. Too bad he used it for something inappropriate. It really is an okay feature if used sensibly, which apparently some freshman boys still are working on :)

    betty

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  7. I didn't know about that feature, but yeah, definitely open to misuse!

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  8. Glad to see the think sheet explained. Some of these kids seem a little impervious to punishment. I mean, he knew there was no way he was getting away with that. He did it anyway.

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    1. Yeah, he's a very immature freshman. I noticed that the teacher has a tracking sheet for him--that is, he's acted up in class so much that she's keeping track of all the instances for when she reports it to the administration.

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  9. I need to find out how to make my computer speak. I can think of some ways I could annoy people...so glad I never was tempted to be a teacher. I wouldn't have lasted an hour - great respect! Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    1. It's not something I looked into that closely, but I'm sure it's just a Google search away...

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  10. Oh wow had no clue you could make google talk like that o_o

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    1. Oh yea. It's great for when you're not sure how to pronounce a hard word. Not so much when you're insulting a classmate.

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  11. Hi Liz - that Think Sheet idea seems a good one - interesting to see what they come up with ...

    Oh I'm sure Google can talk - reading it is enough!

    Mind you I'm helping a dyslexic chap, who has lots of stories and memories to tell, so now he talks into his ipad - sends the email to me ... I translate (he has a cockney accent!) and correct/amend ... so he has something of a record for his family ... he loves it! He can read, he's very intelligent, but because of the dyslexia ... school and jobs were a nightmare - though he's never been unemployed that I can see - and he's a third ager now ... and does what he can for others .. cheers Hilary

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  12. I can't help feeling bad for the other boy, too. Bullies come in so many forms. Thanks for doing what I could not.

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    1. Yeah, that's the big reason why this was unacceptable.

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  13. This sounds like bullying to me which is reprehensible. Too bad he can't be more severely disciplined than writing in some note pad thing

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    1. This goes on the list of things he's done wrong (it's an extensive list). He's already treading on thin ice. This just adds another crack.

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  14. It amazes me how much effort these kids put into causing trouble and acting out. They'd definitely go far if they put all that energy into something worthwhile and productive!

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    1. I know, right!?! But try telling them that.

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  15. At least he seems to have some computer skills! I had to laugh at this. Calling them "freshmen" is asking for trouble really :)

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    1. The term is so entrenched I hadn't even considered... But so true.

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