Job Discussion Forums

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

Recently had some drama at my JHS that inspired me to bump this thread. About three weeks, a teacher with who I have never spoken saw me using the internet during my lunch break and told the vice principal about it. Literally behind my back as they were standing behind me and the nosy lady was mispronouncing my name a few times.

Two days later the head JTE comes to me and says I shouldn't use the internet for personal reasons. I explain that I was downloading a crossword puzzle for another teacher.

Two more days later, same teacher brings me over to talk with the IT teacher who tells me I can't bring my own PC to work either. Very bad, very important. I have bringing it to work for over a year and suddenly it's a problem.

So I can't use a PC at work. I guess teachers don't really need PCs! At least foreign teachers. My supervisor said that sometimes when the Japanese teachers see a foreign ALT using a PC, it looks suspicious to them. (!?)

stumptowny · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 310

marley'sghost · Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Posts: 255

That sucks is an understatement. I like that "some" teachers, (ie one nosy busybody) complain and you are totally hamstrung. Do they think this is the 19th century and you can do your job with a quill pen by the light of a candle? I mean, come on.
We had a PE teacher here at my school who always had Evony running on his PC. Everyone reads the news or whatever on lunch break. (Guess where I am writing this from now.)
The only way I can see to get out of it is every time you need to make a worksheet or write a report or or print something go to the head JTE and ask for special permission to use a computer. They'll ask the IT teacher who'll probably ask someone else.... if you can be polite and unassuming and grovel apologetically while you do it, eventually someone will just say, "Go ahead and use it when you need to." just so you stop bothering them with your reasonable requests.

SeasonedVet · Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Posts: 236 Location: Japan

marley'sghost wrote:

SeasonedVet · Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Posts: 236 Location: Japan

Asking you not to use the pc for personal reasons I can understand where that may come from but if you are also asked not to bring your own pc to school is a new one.
If they don't want you to connect up to their system...I have heard that one before. Something about viruses and security.
If, however you'd be using your wifi (and they know it) then it is a different problem.
If you were able to ascertain if it is a problem of security and viruses then you could rule out certain things.
If it is a problem of security/viruses/trojans etc, then it sounds fair and I have heard it before.
If it isn'T then it could be anything. As someone mentioned before. It could just be that you look "not busy enough" or it could be any of the other things other posters said. Can't know for sure.

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

dove · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Location: USA/Japan

"Can't kill time, can't even do my grad school homework, and can't even write reports on lessons and read about new games/activities (my job!)...."

I don't think your fellow teachers really think it's fair that you are killing time or doing your grad school homework during work time. I know that most Japanese co-workers won't ever complain about it, but is it really fair? When I was an ALT in the 90's( before internet was so prevalent) I didn't even feel comfortable studying Japanese during work hours (after overhearing one of the teachers complain about it). Yes, I was bored a lot because my schedule wasn't always filed, but I just spent my desk time making materials, posters, games, drill cards, worksheets. I called embassies in Tokyo and requested English materials. I know that a lot of the materials were never used, but at least I was doing something related to my job. More importantly, it LOOKED like I was doing something related to my job. You know that in Japan it's really all about appearances.

I know that many ALTs use their own laptops to create their own materials, but I am quite sure that the reason your co-worker thinks a foreigner using a PC looks suspicious is because he/she has probably seen a foreigner using it for something not related to work. And he or she doesn't think it is fair. Is it?

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

stumptowny · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 310

Tsian · Joined: 10 Jan 2012 Posts: 85

I agree with stumptytown. I think it is less the action than your overall attitude and how you are viewed by the other teachers that is the most important in determining what you can (and can't) do.

marley'sghost · Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Posts: 255

I have one lesson today. What do I for seven hours?[/quote]

Get a big Japanese study book and put your feet up.
And again, I'd suggest to make reasonable requests to use the computer. Make them on a daily basis. I'm sure you must have an actual need to use a computer at least a couple times a day. I know I do. Be very polite and grateful for this special permission to print copies, write worksheets, send e-mail to your company (you dispatch?) and do all the other things you need to do to do your job. Eventually, they'll get tired of you asking, and just say, "Oh, go ahead and use it anytime you need to."

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

And being an ALT, you have no way in fighting back/standing up for yourself. Hope she gets transferred, or you do, next year.

In the meantime be super unhelpful. Expect to the janitor/cleaning lady.