AIM IM with Jerome
2/2/07, 1:43 PM
Jerome: Hi
ME: How are you?
Jerome: how did I do in your class?
ME: u need to stay on task in class
Jerome: i know that
ive taken iChat off my dock so im not thinking about it all the time
ME: good
it will get easier
but it is better to learn this lesson in 9th grade
then in your first year of college when you are paying for the class you are getting a C in
Jerome: i can understand that
my parents say the same thing
ME: you are doing well
don't be too hard on yourself
Jerome: its kind of hard not to be because ive never had so much lack of focus
ME: well we are all learning that lesson - adults too
this stuff is fun and new to us too!
Jerome: I bet
all of the teachers' attitudes are different than established schools
ME: how so?
Jerome: other high school teachers act as if everything is old news and they know and can explain everything and things are so standard
and teachers at SLA seem like teachers unlike any other teacher I have met
ME: why?
good answers
but I wanna know more
btw, can I put this conversation on my blog?
Jerome: SLA teachers dont work off of the teacher template
I dont mind if you do
ME: the teacher template....
what does that look like to you?
Jerome: from bottom to top it looks like:
semi formal dress attire 180 days, a take it or leave it attitude, false encouragement, judgmental, one sided person
that represent no type of personality
ME: thanks for expanding
I understand what you mean
Jerome: yeah
ME: the teachers here really care about all of you
Jerome: I can tell
and i appreciate that
Jerome: SLA is really my dream school
ME: why?
what school did you dream about
where do we fall short?
do you have suggestions?
Jerome: A school where I could use a computer in class
a school that I could show what I learned through a project
this is honestly not for the blog I am telling the truth
ME: I know honey.... I trust what you say
Jerome: i cant think f where we fall short
of**
I think it may be that we don't over utilize the computers as a tool
i know that is a risk but, in some classes we dont even use them
meaning we could use it more
yeah
ME: okay
like in what class?
Jerome: algebra
and history and English at times
ME: well...
can you make suggestions on how you might use them in the class
or do you think it should be up to that teacher
?
Jerome: well ms.t always has a power point for each lesson plan
and with administrative power she can use it to be on each computer
so not everyone has to be looking at the board
ME: WOW great
Jerome: but I really think it should be up to the teacher because it is what work best for the person as a teacher
ME: but sometimes teacher does that so they can tell if you are paying attention
Jerome: hmm
thats a good point
because I know that some kids cant be trusted
but im not that type of student
ME: yes well we have to be sure all students are on task
Jerome: but if you send the teacher's screen to all computers its almost guaranteed
ME: but then there is still ichat and the internet to distract you
so Ms. T is making it possible for you to pay attention with out distraction
b/c it (algebra) is hard and she needs to do that in her class you will see in my tech class I let kids work on the comp. all the time b/c I want to build that skill to stay on task and it is in a low stress situation
however you need math for your PSSA and SAT so she has to make sure you are getting the content
Jerome: yeah
thats important
but i think most kids would enjoys that
ME: well I will suggest it to her today
okay
soon there will be smart boards to pay attention to as well
Jerome: thats gonna be nice in her class
yes, she will get to teach from the front of the room
Jerome: in Penn Charter they have those and kids can download notes the teacher takes
and you can all use it too
ME: yep
Jerome: we will do all that soon
thats gonna be hott
ME: really hot
Jerome: lol
cant wait
then I can really brag about my school
my cousin is so jealous
everyone in my familt cannot believe the resources we have
my dad always tell me how he wishes he had all the stuff I have now
ME: yes, not enough of the students at SLA realize how lucky they really are
thats a shame too
Jerome: and the kids who apply dont know what they are competing for
btw, how do you attach files to our elgg's?
ME: oh... good ?
you have to go to your files
in there make a folder for each class
then open the class folder and upload a file to the folder, make sure you click the box at the bottom for copyright
Jerome: okay
im uploading my podcast
This is what SLA students have access to on their days off because the tool is in their hand 24/7-365, we need this for all of our k-12 students. I have been having this type of conversation with many of my students and it they never cease to amaze me with their insights and suggestions. (yes, I pinch myself everyday on the way to work)
1 comments:
Thanks for sharing this authentic interaction with one of your students. I think the most powerful message Jerome gets is that he is ultimately responsible for his distractions. He is learning that the world is filled with distractions and he has a *choice* in the matter. He is making a responsible choice.
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