Robert

Posted on 10/25/09

On 10/24/09, Amelia Suhayda wrote:
> Teaching in today's schools is very difficult. I recently
> graduated from High School. I decided four years ago that I
> wanted to teach. I am in a teacher program in Nevada and am
> a Practicum student at two schools in the Reno area.
>
> I expected that getting and keeping the student's attention
> would be difficult, but I had no idea how difficult it
> would be. The student's do not offer answers or opinions
> when I ask for them and aren't even cooperative when I give
> them incentive to volunteer (extra credit points, etc).
> Cell phones and other technology is making my job harder.
> All the students seem to want to do is text message each
> other. They can’t write me a simple essay about how they
> feel about anything because they don’t even use real words
> anymore. It is only casual chat speak (u for you, ittul for
> I will talk to you later etc.) The students are basically
> illiterate.
>
> The students I teach are middle and high school special
> education students. I value class participation and do not
> often use the Pedagogy of strict memorization. I want the
> students to appreciate what education and teachers can give
> them. I also want them know what they are learning and how
> it effects them.
>
> How do I do all this, without it being boring?
>
> The drop out rate is way too high; teachers need to come up
> with new ways if they expect students to take interest
> because they aren’t interested now.
***
You may want to try using their form of communications to get
their attention first, and then move them in the direction you
would like for them to go. Remember you are dealing with minds
that see education as not being relevant or connected to their
reality.
keep the faith!

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