Thursday, February 12, 2009

I can’t think of something on my timeline, but ….
I’ve been frustrated teaching English in this school since I arrived in 2002 because there has been a WRITING LAB. In fall ’02, the English “writing lab” was in shambles: of about 25 computers in the room, less than half worked and neither of the teacher’s stations worked. By the end of that school year, spring ’03, the principal and English AP advised the dept. that the old computers would be removed and replaced with new “state of the art” computers. The administration told the English Dept. that the students would have full and regular use of computers to read, write and research on.
SIX years have passed and the English Dept. at GCA still does not have a computer lab. So much for respecting and caring about both the students and their teachers! [I’m sure that there’s been a scheme and scam with $, but that’s a follow-the-money-story for another time, perhaps.]
Why should students have computers available in English class on a regular basis anyway? Duh? Maybe students would actually write more, if they had computers available. How is it that a blank word document seems less intimidating than a blank white piece of paper?
I ‘m familiar with some differences of writing on paper and writing on a computer, but I wonder what it would be like to read a complete book or drama on a computer. How would we curl up with a good read?
Time’s up!

mm

1 comment:

  1. You raise a good question at the end. I have grown accustomed to reading articles on line, but complete novels. That would be a reach!!

    Debi

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