Korean Job Discussion Forums

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

ah, so you pick your nose, so that's it! very unprofessional old boy! my cousin when he was in middle school had a hang-up about public urinals. he just couldn't relax and let go with someone at his shoulder, or so it seemed. in time he got over it. if the class cameras led to mom's tv, i'd be worried, in fact i'd probably wet my pants. one ajumma storming in, physically held back by the glaring wonjonim, and hysterically labially lashing would be enough of a daymare. who needs korean tv dramas, tune in to 'mommy's little hairball versus big bad waegook'.

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

Am so happy I don't have cameras, how could I subvert my boss's craze for bizarrely-themed roleplay classes if I did?

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

kateinkorea · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Korea

I almost wish I had a camera in my room that wnet to the parents home. when they saw their sons or daughters completely ignoring me when I call their name for the tenth time and I am standing only a foot away from them....maybe they might have to justify this to someone. Also i have one class in particular that just completely stresses me as they behave really well when when someone comes into the room for a moment but jsut act horribly when noone can see.

My boss knows this is happening but figures I should be able to discipline this group of kids by myself even though they have no respect for me and they speak very little english. Maybe my boss would have to justify why he has no Korean teacher helping me with translation and discipline.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I had cameras in the classrooms at my hagwon and there were always the parents who would hover around the monitors for an entire class. I found it a bit disturbing and overall it wasn't a good experience. Also, the 2 owners would stare at the screens for hours at a time and then offer me no valuable or constructive teaching advice. Then they would always talk about how busy they were, funny really. I was starting to become paranoid and I'd never work at a place that had them again.

Austin · Joined: 23 May 2003 Location: In the kitchen

I am not clear on what the issue is.

If a person is being paid for teaching, babysitting, or "whatever" to certain people's children, why should not the parents and the employer be able to monitor?

If a school received several complaints about a teacher's behaviour, teaching ability, etc., it would be pretty nice to be able to tune in and confirm or refute the complaints.

Years ago, I worked at a cram school that had cameras and audio feeds in each room. It never bothered me for a moment, as I saw it as a tool for my employer to check-up on me and my students. Moreover, I believe it actually served to improve the students' overall classroom conduct, as they too knew they were being monitored.

I guess if you are competent and confident in your ability to teach and have nothing to hide, it is a non-issue.

Walter Mitty · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Tokyo! ^.^

Michelle · Joined: 18 May 2003

Hi Everyone,

Do you really think people should stand for having cameras in the classroom? My hagwon had them but they were small and no one told me at first, I was so shocked.

How does it feel if you're trying to discipline a kid but you know the parents and director are watching?

My boyfriend's school now has cameras in the classrooms.

We wouldn't put up with this kind of distrust back home. It is useless when the director doesn't speak english anyway, but they still think they know what's going on.

Just my thoughts

Walter Mitty · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Tokyo! ^.^

My school has cameras and it doesn't bother me one bit. I don't know if the parents can watch from home, or if they just go to some "secuirty" office here in the school. Doesn't matter to me either way. I teach how I see fit, and if a kid needs a pop upside the head to get him to listen up - so be it.

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

mishlert · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Location: On the 3rd rock from the sun

I worked at Kate School in Daegu and it has cameras in the classrooms so "mom" can check up on her kid/s on the net. The school also gives homework on the net and gives the students a daily quiz on said homework.
Anyway, I never had a problem with the cameras in the room, but every so often I would point to it and tell a problem student, "Be careful, your mom might be watching."

casinoman · Joined: 12 Sep 2003 Location: seoul

What about the camera being used to help defend you if a kid lies and says something like "teacher hit me!" Just my two cents.

William Beckerson · Guest

It's unlikely that these are being recorded for later use. But they are sent out live so moms can interfere with your classes.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I have mock cameras(basically they don't work) in some of my classrooms so i just point at them and say, look mom is watching be good or you'll be in trouble,etc,etc....
Anyway, i can see why there is a problem with invasion of privacy but just play it to your advantage, use them as a detterant to bad behaviour , wave and smile at them,etc.

William Beckerson · Guest

Most kids see them as a way to wave to mom when you point them out.

Then they forget about it and proceed to behave as they normally would.