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Week 1
Well I'm not starting my new college career off very well. I missed class because I was teaching at the Minnesota Dare Officer Training Center at the MSP airport. We had a full class of 28 officers that graduated.
Week 2
A little nervous. A little excited! I needed to get a "blue" card signed by the Professor the night of the class. The class had a Max. of 450 students and had 100 opening according to registration...should be no problem. Professor Weis signed the card with no problem. Nice man and fully understood why I missed. Thanked me for my service. I thought that was very nice. I rare hear that! Of course missing the first class meant I was flying by the seat of my pants. First came the reference to the "clicker"? What a remote control? I'm liking this! But I didn't have one and you need it for attendance and taking test. taking tests...what happened to answer sheets and #2 pencils? Well I didn't have those either. More on that later. Well I learned the clicker is a new device that enable large classes to take tests and attendance with ease. $30.00 and a stop at the bookstore and I'm in the club. About that #2 pencil. I had to borrow one from a very nice young lady as well as an answer sheet. You have to buy those now days! The professor said I didn't have to take the quiz because I missed the 1st week but I took it anyway. After all, I'm a student of life..right? Class over.
Week 3
I was so anxious about finding out how I did on the test I was there by 5:30, class starts at 6 sharp. I'm still amazed how quickly students become focused for class. I'm also amazed at the number who are on the cell phone sneaking in a text or two! Not bad for the first test...a "B". I can handle that. Used my clicker and had my blank test paper with #2 pencil this week. Professor is to talking about D2L website which has all the PowerPoint's. I better tap into that resource.
Week 4
Again anxious about that test score...another "B". Maybe I can do this with all the other irons I have in the fire? Forgot to get a blank test sheet...thought we were using the clicker? Next week the clicker for sure or you lose 25% on quiz. About 80 students still didn't have the clicker yet? A bit hard getting all that reading done. Magazines are what I'm use to reading....trade magazines they are called! See I did learn something! Had to borrow a blank test again. She didn't look as happy to loan me that one!
Week 5
Well I think I'm getting the hang of this thing! I'm not use to taking a test every week but it has kept me on my toes. The Prof said no test next week..so we get a little rest. Our class was shortened this week because of a guest speaker that needed our classroom space. BTW I learned that this is the largest class that WSU has had! Over 400 students in the class. I only know the girl behind me and that's because I forgot my scantron and didn't know how to use the "clicker." We used the clicker for the quiz, I hope I did it right? Got 39/45 on the last quiz which means I'm still holding down a "B". Of' course my son thought it would be funny to send me a txt message during class. The old man is pretty smart, I had it on vibrate. The girl sitting in front of me looked back when my phone vibrated...maybe I had my knee on the back of her seat? I stayed for the guest speaker because we got 5 extra credit points. Click here to read my review.
Week 6
Freshman students are very interesting! I usually get to class early so I can either study for the quiz or watch the action. Watching the action is much more interesting! Cellphones, E-mailing, IMing and Knitting (Yes I said knitting) are the actions of most of the students. I guess it's pretty easy to pick me out from the group. I wear a baseball hat so it's less obvious. The young ladies behind me love talking work...they both work at a local restaurant. I probably shouldn't be listening! 35 out of 38 on the quiz. Not bad still can't breach that "A" mark. No quiz this week, I'm surprised so many students showed up! In my day that was a "free day". Good for you younger generation. Well off the read the next chapter about the history of Radio. No I wasn't alive when it was invented!
Week 7
Its almost spring break already. I was not even aware of it until professor said see ya in two weeks. Well it was another interesting day at college. It's tough getting use to the student calling me sir. They are not so nice to other fellow freshman! You have to love those freshman, the two who sat next to me this week can well prepared for class. No notebook, pen or book, only the clicker. They were text messaging all class. Gota love those college kids! We I got my 5 bonus points and I'm currently holding down a "A". Look for my next entry in 2 weeks after break. Stay tuned!
Week 8
Spring Break
Week 9
Back to the grind last night. Alot of first's this week, my first perfect paper [40/40] and at 95% - 1st college "A+"! Boy was class long this week! We talked about television. My advise, shut it off! Reality shows are driving me nuts! I guess I see enough reality. Students were restless this week. Girl sitting next to was sneaking a peek of facebook several times during class. I guess she was really bored. I would have probably done the same but I was too cheap to get on the laptop program. O I forgot...kid got kicked out last week. Cellphone played some stupid 80's tune for a good 2 minutes.
Week 10
I was kind of wondering what the topic of tonight's lesson was going to be. From the conversation of the young females sitting behind me I was thinking it was an anatomy class! Use you imagination...you get the picture! Yet another lesson in the vast field of the media. Prof. Weis made the mistake of asking nearly 400 students if they wanted to take a final. I bet you can guess their answer! Prof. Weis received an ovation for his decision. 5 weeks left and I miss out on my first college final. Somehow I don't feel cheated? Is anyone reading this? Music this week. It was sad that I used almost every medium used to listen to music with the exception of a 78 record. What's a record. You shouldn't be reading this it you don't know! Prof. Weis lost the crowd with his pronunciation of Tupac Shakur. It ( Tu poc not Tu pack) A 5 minute discussion continued about whether he was dead or not? He is...victim of a 1996 drive-by in Vegas. Some bad news for some students from the teacher's aid. 7 students failing with 22 not far behind. Till next week....
Week 11
Sorry not very timely this week! I think I just witnessed a world's record. The girl across the isle was able to txt msg 4 different people while carrying on several IM's, checking her e-mail as well as Facebook in less than 5 minutes! I'm getting a first hand look at the future generation of "Media Melders" See I have learned something. Combining several media sources to get the message out for those who don't know what it means. We started the internet today. This is my speed. Even though I'm an old timer I like modern technology! Bet you didn't know how computer bug got its name....dead moth on a vacuum tube in an old computer. Test went well last week still holding the "A" I know big deal you only have one class! The end (of the term) is near folks.
Week 12
Cheating in college? We spent the first 10 minutes talking about cheating and the ill effects it has. I do agree with the professor...life weeds out the cheaters. We see them everyday! Same old thing. Review the quiz, go over the material and take the quiz.
Week 13
Mayor job took precedence tonight. Board of Equalization (people can question home market values)
Week 14
The end is near the Professor said so! I'm thinking public relations is the field to be in if you want to make some money! All you have to do is talk positive about your company and make sure people see it in a positive way. I wish some companies would see the value of happy employees and a positive image. Off to the quiz. Fell a couple of points to 93%. Should be able to hold the "A".
Week 15
It's done. Last night was it. The final night, the final quiz. The professor was serious about cheating last night, walked around and had student put their notebooks away. Seriously students, do you think that cheating in little old MC100 will help you in the future! I was feeling a bit old. One of the students that sat next to me was a former DARE student. We had a nice conversation about what I want to be when I grow up! Well off to facebook and next quarter class sign ups. Stay tuned if you are bored! Anyone what to buy a clicker?
Class Complete...I got an "A"