Seventh period. For a change I had more than one student in class. I actually had two!
Yesterday I mentioned how the software had been down. They had the career research assignment to do or a couple of hand-drawn drafting assignments. It wasn't what they'd usually do in this class (computer aided drafting), but it wasn't completely off-topic.
A boy in the corner of the room laughed loudly. I glanced at what he had on his computer screen and found that he was watching something on YouTube. It looked like video from a radio station interview. It could have been a podcast.
(There is software on the teacher's computer that lets me watch what each student has on their computer screen. I've mentioned the technology before.)
Whatever it was, it wasn't on task.
I kept an eye on his computer as well as the computer of the other student in class. Neither were doing any work. Ah well.
At the end of the period, I went to "collect" their drawn-with-pencil-on-paper assignments. (Hey, the boy could have done that work with the video in the background. I don't know how, but many students do work better with background noise.) Of course, his paper was blank.
Me: "You did no work today?"
Boy: "I worked on that." He pointed at the career assignment. It was written on the board.
Me: "No, you didn't. You were watching videos all period."
He didn't argue with me any further.
Apparently, he's not aware of the monitoring software. But even then, he was laughing out loud. Loudly. For the whole room to hear. And he saw me look over at him. He really thought I wasn't aware he was watching a video that he found funny? Seriously?
Teens are stupid, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteYup.
DeleteIs there technology within the software that you can alter what they are watching? Wouldn't that be funny to be able to change that to something serious? I would love to see the looks on their faces!
ReplyDeletebetty
I like to turn on music while I work, because the music actually stops all the writing that's going on in my brain and takes my focus off my story so that I can actually get stuff done for my job. But yeah, the laughing was a giveaway that his focus wasn't where it should've been. *shakes head*
ReplyDeleteI know the music/background noise thing is something many people need for focus. This is why I will always allow students to listen to music when they're working (unless the teacher has told me it's completely forbidden in their class).
DeleteI used to blast Ozzy Osbourne music while doing homework. ~grin~ Thank you for that memory. Oh, and for the kind word on my blog. I haven't tried to call that optical center again. So glad I got these glasses for computer reading faster. Be well!
ReplyDeleteAh, Ozzy. Music of my youth! :)
DeleteWhatever works, right?
DeleteThey think they hide it so well.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if he thinks he's doing the school a favor by showing up.
ReplyDeleteYikes! Software that monitors computers? What will they come out with next? Makes me wonder who else in the world has software that can monitor my computer without my knowledge? Then again, they don't necessarily have access to my computer the same way a school has access to the computers they own.
ReplyDeleteLove that you let the kids not get work done and play on the computers. They get to face the consequences of not turning their work in on time and you don't have to stand over them forcing them to do work they don't want to do. Win-win?
I'm just lazy. I can argue with them, and they're still not going to do any work. In the end, they have to be responsible for their own actions.
DeleteThe monitoring software only works because these are all the school's computers. They really have no expectation of privacy at school. They're supposed to be doing school work, anyway.
Hi Liz - it's so sad, that kids won't make an effort ... one day I hope he'll realise his mistake - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Liz, It is nice to know about the software that lets you keep a tab on what the kids are watching. I will go to the earlier post and read about it. (I am interested in technology, and write on it, occasionally.)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child, we couldn't do anything else when we were studying. Of course, world has beyond recognition. And now kids say that they can concentrate only when there is a background noise like music, which were once considered as distraction!
Everyone learns differently. I get that. But it's weird to me as noise distracts me. But not everyone.
DeleteJust makes you want to facepalm lol
ReplyDeleteI wish I could use software like that at home. This having to do all their work on their computers is a nightmare for parents!
ReplyDeleteSee that's what happens if you have a President who makes citizens believe lying and cheating is OK 🤪
ReplyDeleteSorry, couldn't resist...
Nah, I think this is more they-ended-up-at-this-school related ;)
Delete