Korean Job Discussion Forums

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Just spent a frustrating 45 mins with middle school class.

Had this great introductory lesson planned using short vids and pictures,

but the computer system doesn't work. ^&*()_

So I have to stand there and pull stuff out of nowhere for 45 mins.

What do some of you people do when this happens?

Arggggghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

cruisemonkey · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:56 pm Post subject:

I never use technology (except for a movie at thend of a term). So... no problems! Cool

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Today my grade 3 MS lessons were on the chapter topic of 'I can't live without music' - rather boring with no technical aids. The first two lessons were great. In the last one the computer decided to freeze. 30 minutes on music were cut down to 15 on music, 5 silently cursing the computer, and 10 minutes of hangman.

It's the greatest thing to have when it works, but it sure torpedoes the lesson when it doesn't.

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

Hangman, I spy, simon says, ask students to write a list of things on blank paper, ask them to write sentences on blank paper.

I'm at an elementary school though. Laughing

missty · Joined: 19 Feb 2008

This happened to me today! Argh! I was so frustrated. I had this great lesson planned from youtube, but the internet was so slow and kept crashing. Very annoying. Thankfully I had typed out the transcript of the video for the students. So instead of me watching the video whilst the students filled in the blanks, I had to read out the entire thing myself. Confused

That was my first and last foray into the world of technology.

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

Yup, about half of last week. I just got the students to write questions on bits of paper then I answered them. Do you wanna know the reason why there were no computers? Because they swapped them around and didn't know what the passwords were. Rolling Eyes

Goku · Joined: 10 Dec 2008

Same happened to me a few days ago.

When the computer didn't boot I had to improvise my lesson plan. I basiacally taught the same thing, drew the pictures on the blackboard. And had to use my co-teacher as the dialogue partner.

Actually quite honestly, I think I worked out better.

Technology is an valuable tool, but I think sometimes it gimps me from remembering how to work with the fudamentals of basic teaching.

I think a teachers strongest tool is their voice, projection, and body language.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:19 pm Post subject:

The reason I don't use technology is - the computers in all my school's classrooms (where I teach) are absolute garbage. We have a 'state of the art' computer lab, science lab and library... beautiful artificial turf soccer field, a brand new 'infirmary', and new floors... but the classroom computers are just 'ddong'.

If they got half-decent computers in the classrooms, I might start using them... as it is, there's just NO point.

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

There are no computers in the classrooms, only a wire set up so my co-teacher brings in her laptop during class. The problem was the wiring set up failed...not the computer. Same same for me though.

It's an old school, I guess they don't want to spend any money on the place.

When I applied for the job, I was told it was an elementary school, after I got my visa I was told I would also be teaching 2 days a week at this middle school. Not that I'm complaining, I like the change but it is a bit new for me. I was hoping I could be more creative with lessons here,
but so far..... *_*

Have to wait till Thursday and see how things go then.

Cheers