It's the second week in the computer aided drafting class. Their teacher is stuck on jury duty. But at least this week the software is working...
Yes, last week was a bit of a nightmare. It was bad enough that the teacher was out. (Kiddos really don't like it when their teacher is out. They like consistency.) But then we had the computer issue.
Without going into too many boring details, the software that they use to do the drafting stopped working on Tuesday. And it took the tech guy until Friday to get the problem solved. It was a whole thing. Calls to software reps. Reinstalling on all the computers in the room individually. We were lucky that they got it to work, finally.
So, teacher out for days plus software not working plus students not very motivated... Oh, did I mention that the students feel like it's too early in the school year ("It's still summer"), so therefore they should not be required to do any work yet? And so many of them "didn't want" this class and didn't understand what this class was about.
Okay, then, if they were not sure what the class was about, I had an idea. Since the software wasn't working, they could do a career survey. I asked them to research a job that would use computer aided drafting in it.
I gave them a list of things to look for including salary and working conditions. If they knew what CAD could be used for, they might be more interested in pursuing it, don't you think?
Yeah, that could have worked. There was only one problem--they weren't going to do the assignment. They'd rather play games. Or watch YouTube. Sigh.
So, it's week two, and the software is working. And they... Well, some of them are working. That's progress, right?
That reminds me of my children when I tell them to clean their rooms. They'll come up with excuses like "I'm too tired!" At one point, my 4yo whined so much about his chore that my husband told him "Go to bed!" My daughter, observant little 7yo that she is, decided to skip the whining, arguing, and getting scolded and just laid down in her bed and went to sleep.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, neither actually cleaned their rooms, which sounds like the result of your assignment.
They'll make excellent teenagers. Yup, every excuse. If they spent half the effort to do the task that they use on the excuse conjuring, they'd be done with time and energy to spare.
DeleteDo any kids actually do their school work anymore? I can't imagine spending the whole day screwing around.
ReplyDeleteThat was a clever assignment when the software wasn't working. Too bad they didn't see the benefits. ~sigh~ Loni's comment reminds me of my mother. If I said I was bored she would hand me a broom or duster or something. I soon learned to entertain myself, a useful skill to this day. Heh... Be well!
ReplyDeleteThey wouldn't see the benefits. They'd rather be playing games.
DeleteI think the project you wanted them to do was a good one! Too bad they didn't think so.
ReplyDeletebetty
That was a good idea. But it just can't compete with the lure of goofing off with video games and youtube. Which is what I'm going to do now, too.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great idea, Liz, having the kids determine what they can do with such a skill. You may have planted a seed in some of them to think about it later. Or even at the moment, you never know. They may not have done anything because of that thing called peer pressure to be a goof like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteYou go to class to do right or do wrong. Do one and you become a success and earn a lot of money. Do the other and the stupid become stupider and play games, lol.
ReplyDeleteI agree that lack of consistency and computer problems make getting things done very difficult, whether you're a student or a working adult. It's too bad they didn't follow your suggestion, sounds like it would have been a good project for them.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been. But, alas, they weren't in a working mood.
DeleteHi Liz, It was nice on your part to have come up with a task like that. But when kids get anything to be done as part of an "assignment", they simply switch off. And turn to stuff like Youtube or games. Typical of them, actually.
ReplyDeleteYeah, especially these kids.
DeleteKids have always found ways to goof off in class and waste time. but computers in the classroom make it so much easier, don't they?
ReplyDeleteIt makes it easier, but it's also nicer. Kids goofing off on computers are much more mellow than kids goofing off without.
DeleteAlmost every one of your posts recently has pained me. Can't you post about something positive? The kids stayed on task, they got their work done, and one kid went out of the way to make you feel like a valued substitute teacher.
ReplyDeleteThen again, I'd hate for you to have a boring blog. So I guess continue on… *sigh*
"Valued substitute teacher"? That's an oxymoron if ever I've heard one ;)
DeleteYou know those weeks where I write about seating charts or trouble with the air conditioning? Or when there are no subbing posts (during regular school sessions)? Yeah, those are the weeks where everyone did their work and everything went smoothly. They happen.
If they had looked at how often CAD is required for a job they might have looked at the subject with a little more interest. Ah well...
ReplyDelete