Okay, this blog isn't all about me not getting along with computers. It's more along the line of blowing steam. I hate technology and everything that involves using hi-tech stuff to get tasks accomplished. Sure they bring us great joys of internet usage, but they bring me the pain of learning how to USE it. I know a couple things about this devil of a box, but I am obscure about anything else I don't know.
Okay, so this all sparked yesterday in one of my technology classes. Yes, I was once a girl in high school that took a couple technology classes and had no problems, but those days are long gone. Yes, I have entered the world of college and new technology and I am COMPLETELY lost. A professor of mine has a really weird way of explaining things and does not explain things with a complete idea. He wants things in a certain way, and I do make an effort asking him if this is what he was looking for, and he gives me an answer such as "Do you think it is right?" Great, answer a question with a question. Therefore, I get even more lost and as other people are passing his class with A's, I am left in the dust with a lower grade.
I hate this class (and no, it is not my Writing for the Internet class, so Dr. Jerz don't freak out!) and if I was a quitter I would drop it in a heartbeat. I think the best idea would be to first, observe other students and notice what I am not doing correctly. If after that I am still recieving average grades, I am going to start taking things to the teacher. Lord help me then, because I will either cry or burst out in anger. Hopefully neither of the two, I'd like to think I handle situations better than to spaz out. It will take a great deal of convincing (myself) that I can handle this professionally.
Maybe if I keep muttering the word "professional" in my head, I will succeed in handling this situation maturely. Maybe I should concentrate MORE on the technology side of this class instead of spending all my time with the writing part. Someone gave me that tip yesterday in class. I guess for some reason it's easier for me to bathe in words instead of technology. :(
Computers are horrible to me. Anyone out there with ideas?
Posted by LeCrishaMattox at September 24, 2004 10:33 AMI can understand how you feel, because I have a circle of friends from an online forum who do nothing but talk in hi-tech lingo and I am always hopelessly lost when trying to give some input.
As for your request for suggestions, I would most definitely tell you to focus on whichever part YOU enjoy the MOST. If you like writing more than you do the technological aspect, then focus on that part. If you're having trouble learning how to deal with all of this technical stuff, try setting up an appointment with your professor or just ask him to explain himself better; or, you could seek out the aid of one of your friends or a tutor who knows a lot about that kind of stuff.
What kind of technology stuff are you dealing with, in particular? Maybe if you described the kinds of things you are having trouble with more specifically, someone would read your post who has the know-how to really assist you. Although, I realize that you probably want to remain as obscure as possible to avoid the professor reading about how much you hate his class. ;P
Posted by: ChrisU at September 26, 2004 02:45 AMWell for now, we are using such things as Microsoft Excel, Front Page, Publisher. I can find my way around things, but I get lost in the steps that he talks about in class. I was talking to a peer and they have been doing the same thing I have been doing, yet this person has an A in this class... I just about choked! Maybe he is just looking for someone to get at least a C in his class and I must look like C material?
I definately think this teacher has a thing against me. Even if he does, I think I am going to try a different approach this week. And I will take a different approach every week until SOMETHING works. Thanks for your input! I will let you know how things work out!
Posted by: LeCrisha at September 26, 2004 07:41 PMI love your colors on the background of your blogging site. Do you not enjoy the class because of the blogging or the certain criteria we are learning? Let me acknowledge this... last year when I was introduced to blogging, I absolutely hated it. I would grind my teeth every time I had to blog. That is why Dr. Jerz invented the term, "Forced blogging" because yes... there were sometimes when we were forced to blog entries b/c after a while blogging is tiring. I will admit, I am slacking off this year with blogging, but on the weekends I catch up on it. You'll enjoy this class, don't worry. If you need anything, just blog me or ask me in class. I have been a blogger for over a year now and I am pretty familiar with everything. Even if you aren't into technology... doesn't mean you cannot enjoy the class... this is also a writing class as well. :-)
Posted by: Firefighter Chica (Stefanie Robb) at September 26, 2004 09:24 PMHaha, Stef, I remember you hating blogging last year--and you know what's even funnier? You're blogging as part of your job with the CDC on 5th Admin!!! LOL.
LeCrisha, I'm glad that you didn't drop your tech. class. Ambition can be stunted by frustration, but perseverence proves to be the victor in all cases of adversity. Good luck, and drop me a line sometime :)
Posted by: Karissa at September 27, 2004 05:33 PMOh I really like the Writing for Internet class. Blogging really doesn't KILL me and do not hate it nor do I love it... I have another technology class that is killing my GPA right now. Not like I'm failing, but I feel as if I have been given an unfair hand with the way this teacher is grading things.
I could dispute the grade, but I'm not that great at debating things. Maybe if I could gather evidence that he is giving me an unfair grade, I'd have something substantial to back me up. Until then I will have to just do the whole trial and error thing... so wish me luck, Thursday is D-day. I'm going in that class with a whole new attitude. :)
Posted by: LeCrisha at September 27, 2004 08:17 PMOh by the way thanks! I spent like 30 minutes of my time trying to figure out what colors might look good together... haha. :)
Posted by: LeCrisha at September 27, 2004 08:21 PMLeCrisha, let me echo what Chris said... I suggest that you make an appointment with your professor. Teaching technology is difficult, because people come into the class with all different skill levels. That makes learning technology difficult, too.
Something that is easy for one student might be difficult for someone else, and vice-versa. For that reason, it's simply impossible to write instructions that are detailed enough that no student *ever* has a question about them.
There are going to be times that handouts and in-class demos just aren't enough. (And I'd suggest that you first ask for one-on-one help, before contesting a grade. If it would make you feel better, bring a classmate along for moral support -- not to contest the grade -- not yet, anyway -- but to show the prof that you're not the only one who's finding a certain thing difficult.)
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at September 27, 2004 11:58 PM