I came here tonight to write about my day, but had to look twice, then
look again, at my Elvis of the Day photo. Hope you like my Elvis photos.Today, my semester began and I'm teaching 2 classes. One of my sessions deals with intercultural differences and the concept of perspective. I told my class I was learning the modern language through my students and grandchildren. For example, I asked my 14 year-old grandson, Dawson, if he had any "lessons" to do? "What do you mean?", he asked. I said "homework" and he understood. One international student (From Ghana) remarked that she found it difficult to address people by their first names, especially if they were teachers, doctors, elders, etc. I totally agreed with her and credit my cultural upbringing and my respect for elders and authority figures with my persistent habit of honoring them with titles.
Most of the younger, American students, preferred and felt comfortable with first names as opposed to titles. Some authoritative people are insulted by first names, others think it's OK. So we add the element of inter-generational perspectives to the intercultural perspective.
Today, none of my students were familiar with the expression, "throw the carriage" when referring to an old fashioned typewriter function.I learned, painfully, to type well enough to please Ms. Nelva Hunt, our high school typing teacher. Actually, most of my students have taught themselves keyboarding (new term) and are pretty fast with the "hunt and peck, two- finger" style. I told them smugly, "But my fingers are on the right keys". It's a non-issue with today's students. They are on top of technological practices.
Tonight I took my class documents on a "zip" or "flash" drive. My students informed me that the current phrase is "jump" drive. I'm willing to learn and adapt my speech to others, so "jump drive" it is.
I will pass along some insights I learn as I teach my sections on perspective, intercultural communication, and other variables that influence the quality of our relationships.
I love teaching and the bottom line of my teaching philosophy is "Love them into Learning". I get excited when I feel I'm taking a student to a higher level of intellectual and social development.
I am the eternal student and willing to learn from the young ones,
Peace,
Judy
When are you updating your blog? Also, you need a hit counter or something.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the side of those people who are uncomfortable using an adult's or authority figure's first name if they aren't someone I'm very close to. I would much rather refer to my teachers as Mr, Mrs, Ms, or Professor than, for instance, Jane or Judy.
ReplyDelete--Laura Newton, from COM 181
I'm not comfortable using first names unless the other person invites me to, especially with elders. However, if one of my peers uses my first name, I will reply using theirs. The "name" that gets me the most feedback is "Ma'am." It wasn't such a big deal when I was younger, but these days I find myself saying "Yes, Ma'am." to women younger than I am and wondering if that's proper, or if I've offended them. I have had women tell me that the term made them feel old. I just smile and blame it on my Appalachian upbringing.
ReplyDelete