Great Teacher Scott (GTS)
Today was my first day of class at Canyon South. Nearly missed the bus from uni down to Canyon town; thankfully the bus driver was kind enough to wait 5 seconds for me. Got off in town and changed to the other bus that brought me straight to the school.I was a little early. Met Lisa in the teachers' common room and she brought me to the general office where I had to sign in on this Visitors' Log Book, and put on a visitor's pass. We then proceeded to the classroom, where she introduced me to the class.
So...the class. Hmmm, what can I say? There's 23 of them, a mixed class. I think there's equal numbers of boys and girls, or thereabouts. Quite multicultural, too, though Charles did tell me that was quite a multicultural neighbourhood. That's good; diversity is always great.
Well the class was quite excited about the whole thing. I guess that's understandable; kids these days all grow up in an internet world. Nearly everyone here's connected, and when you're online most of the time, it's understandable to want to learn how to do some of that wonderful stuff you see on your screen. And there really are some wonderful websites out there.
I guess, in a way, I really envy these kids. I only actively started using the Internet when I was, what, 16? And I only ever got into webdev when I was 21. And here are these 11 and 12 year olds, all set for their first lesson in Dreamweaver. The wonderous pace of technology advancement.
Yet it also makes me wonder: now that kids have all the wonders of the information age at their fingertips, do they still go out and have...well, fun anymore? Do they still play with marbles, and hop-scotch, and jump rope? Did they eat mud and catch spiders when they were toddlers? Do they go camping and enjoy the great outdoors? Or is it all PlayStations and mp3s, Australian Idols and Pokemon? Makes you wonder, sometimes.
So, anyway, the intro session. Right. Well, I started by telling them who I was, and what the course was all about (designing with Dreamweaver), and what makes me eligible to be teaching them (to be honest, I'm not actually sure I am). I have to say I was pretty impressed by their enthusiasm; a few kids literally "perked up" when I said the words "web design". Kids will be kids, I suppose. Didn't have the heart to tell them it's actually quite a boring process. :P
Anyway, they asked all kinds of questions, from what it's like being in uni, to webdev-related questions, to what I like doing in my free time, to who my favourite Aussie Idol is (sigh). I lied and told them we actually have free time in uni, and that I even have time to watch TV. ;) (Hey, what if Australians stop going to uni because of me?! :P)
After the introduction, they went back to doing their normal stuff: writing paragraphs and drawing pictures related to Australian History. I took the opportunity to mingle with the kids and observe how they interacted with each other and with Lisa. They seem to be a pretty close bunch, although there's tell-tale signs of several cliques within the class. Y'know, the smart bunch, the rebels, the gossip girls, and so on.
Lisa and I also tried to look for the school's license for Dreamweaver MX 2004 (win). I seriously had no idea schools use so many programs. The file which holds all the school licenses was probably two inches thick. I truly am impressed with primary schools' tech programs nowadays.
So anyway, we couldn't find the windows licence while I was there, but Lisa says she'll have it by next week.
Well, here's looking forward to next week, then. ^^
posted by Scott @ 10:12 pm
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