My goal for this week's blog post, was to continue with my BOOM or BUST year-end review. Still is my goal, but this intro is going to take a little to get started, so hear me out.
FINAL PORTFOLIO
Slowly I am becoming a Google Docs wizard, and my plan was to continue wizard-ing (eh, its the end of the year) it up with a final portfolio assignment with a couple of my classes. Before the pre-made form was submitted, I had the students fill out an online survey, (YES through Google Docs) in which I asked them to evaluated the course as well as myself, the instructor.
I got the typical responses, that is up until the end. I was surprised that many students opted to fill out the optional short answer response questions at the end. Some nice things, some concerning things, but more importantly one item stuck out..."Why are you so sarcastic all the time?"
I know that this could have been a student who was just trying to get me going, but this made me look back and think, am I treading this sarcasm tight rope a little to closely? I mean should I cut down on it, or choose my spots better?
See, I teach high school. The birth place of sarcasm. And while most of the time I am sincere with my comments there can be times where I feel like I am having an open mic night at a student's expense.
I swear, I could ask the kids to raise their right hand for a million points, and I would get some kids that raise their left hand or kids who look around and say "what did he say?"
I know that the kids normal reaction is to play dumb. I get it, they are teenagers. Lord knows, I've been there too. However, I'm not sure how many trusted adults I had responding to me with some sarcastic answer.
My answer to whom ever was brave enough to type it, my sarcasm is a coping mechanism. Without it, flipping out could be a result, and for what good would that do with today's teenagers? Should I curb it a little, YES. And for that, whoever was asking I say thank you. Thank you for making me aware of a teaching and possibly a character flaw, while there is still time to change.
What about you, is SARCASM part of your teaching?
If so, how do you coupe with students or staff members?
Jim - I am so right there with you. Instead of "losing it," I try to use my personal humor, which I'm guessing can sometimes sound like sarcasm. I don't know that students always catch onto my one liners. When they do, I tend to get a laugh. Sometimes it reigns their attention back in, sometimes it doesn't. I know that sarcasm is not a good thing to use in the classroom. I always make sure it's not at a student's expense, as I would never want to insult or embarrass a student. I do sometimes feel also that if students dish it out to me, they have to be able to take it back from me. Then again, I remember these are teenagers. :) I guess my solution is to always think about what I'm going to say before I say it. That seems to work so far!
ReplyDeleteSarcasm is a coping mechanism. As teachers we are need a way to cope. If it is part of your personality and helps you cope, go for it. I teach kindergarten and they don't get my jokes, which makes me laugh anyways. Whatever it takes to get through the day:)
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