What a surprise: English 111 81PR on Monday evenings is a group of late teens just graduated from local high schools--and most know each other. Well behaved and computer savvy, here they are composing their Blackboard homepages. We are looking over Britany's shoulder as she uploads her image from her cell to the Blackboard program. (She's deeply into text messaging). I love the ringed fingers working the mouse . Doing a quick survey, text messaging and iPods are the technology of the moment; some do blogs. Some time ago a colleague queried about how to divert students' attention from their prospective high school prom to the focus of the course. My response--but only here and now to my dear blog-- is to make the academic focus the high school prom! Go where there is energy and interest: make the high school prom a focus of research and writing--well, why not? Ira Glass spent an hour of This American Life on the high school prom. Of interest are those who don't attend and why? I was one who did not go to the prom--because I thought I was too fat. My friends coaxed me; I would not go. But the best thing in the world happened: early--say 7:00 a.m.--my friends came to my house to spend the day after prom with me. My father got out the pancake batter and served flapjacks to all. It is a splendid memory.
1 comment:
As the college's population increase, the more there is a need to increase such a knowledgeable, open minded and dedicated professors like you are Ms. Aronowitz.
Have fun this semester and welcome students.
Post a Comment