Today was/is the last day of our quarter, which means that a number of students are scrambling to finish their work, particularly in online classes. Some instructors will allow students to complete their work late and give at least partial credit for the work.
Such appeared to be the case with one young woman who was diligently working on weeks worth of unfinished business at a library computer today. At one point, she got up from the computer and logged off, but left her stuff there as if to say that she was still going to be using the computer. Fair enough--we had enough open labs that she could have reserved half a dozen computers for herself and we'd still have plenty.
I happen to be sitting at a nearby table grading some papers and fulfilling my office hour duties for the last time of the quarter.
Our student in question returns and attempts to sign in. In doing so, however, she evidently made a typing mistake, because the "your password is incorrect" screen came up. Immediately, the bitching started. It is at this time that I request you refer to the name of this thread for the ensuing conversation.
Dramatis personae:
Me: Your ever-lovin' simian English teacher and movie fan
SBTWS: Screwed-by-the-world student
SBTWS: &^^*&ing computer won't let me sign on. Something is wrong with this. I don't have time for this shit.
Me (glancing over): Check your screenname to make sure you typed it correctly.
SBTWS: I know my own name, sir.
Me: I know that, but it's possible to make a mistake in typing.
SBTWS: I know how to type my own name, sir.
Me (suddenly really pissed and thinking of ramming her head through the monitor): I mistype my own name at least twice a week signing in. Check to make sure that you've typed everything correctly.
SBTWS (standing up): I can type. I'm not stupid. (walking out) I don't have time for this shit and now I have to find someone who isn't stupid who can help me.
Me: ...
SBTWS (returning after a minute, evidently surprised that the screen hasn't changed): What do I do now?
Me (deep f'ing breath): Just check to make sure your name and password are typed correctly. It's possible to make a mistake.
SBTWS: I know how to type, SIR!
Me: So you never make mistakes? Just check it.
At this point, I went back to grading papers. Thirty seconds later, I looked over, and, lo! and behold! She had signed in.
Y'know what? Maybe it would be a good idea not to tell the guy who's going to be your teacher for 11 weeks next quarter that he's an idiot. Maybe it would be a good idea not to cram 5 weeks of classwork into the last day. And, finally, maybe it would be a really f'ing good idea to check your f'ing attitude at the door, because in January, that shit's not going to fly with me.
Such appeared to be the case with one young woman who was diligently working on weeks worth of unfinished business at a library computer today. At one point, she got up from the computer and logged off, but left her stuff there as if to say that she was still going to be using the computer. Fair enough--we had enough open labs that she could have reserved half a dozen computers for herself and we'd still have plenty.
I happen to be sitting at a nearby table grading some papers and fulfilling my office hour duties for the last time of the quarter.
Our student in question returns and attempts to sign in. In doing so, however, she evidently made a typing mistake, because the "your password is incorrect" screen came up. Immediately, the bitching started. It is at this time that I request you refer to the name of this thread for the ensuing conversation.
Dramatis personae:
Me: Your ever-lovin' simian English teacher and movie fan
SBTWS: Screwed-by-the-world student
SBTWS: &^^*&ing computer won't let me sign on. Something is wrong with this. I don't have time for this shit.
Me (glancing over): Check your screenname to make sure you typed it correctly.
SBTWS: I know my own name, sir.
Me: I know that, but it's possible to make a mistake in typing.
SBTWS: I know how to type my own name, sir.
Me (suddenly really pissed and thinking of ramming her head through the monitor): I mistype my own name at least twice a week signing in. Check to make sure that you've typed everything correctly.
SBTWS (standing up): I can type. I'm not stupid. (walking out) I don't have time for this shit and now I have to find someone who isn't stupid who can help me.
Me: ...
SBTWS (returning after a minute, evidently surprised that the screen hasn't changed): What do I do now?
Me (deep f'ing breath): Just check to make sure your name and password are typed correctly. It's possible to make a mistake.
SBTWS: I know how to type, SIR!
Me: So you never make mistakes? Just check it.
At this point, I went back to grading papers. Thirty seconds later, I looked over, and, lo! and behold! She had signed in.
Y'know what? Maybe it would be a good idea not to tell the guy who's going to be your teacher for 11 weeks next quarter that he's an idiot. Maybe it would be a good idea not to cram 5 weeks of classwork into the last day. And, finally, maybe it would be a really f'ing good idea to check your f'ing attitude at the door, because in January, that shit's not going to fly with me.
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