Wednesday, July 8, 2009
GP E-learning: Response to Video 1
Should the people involved be videoed? Who is at fault? What should not be done?
I feel that more should be known about the circumstances of the situation before coming with any form of conclusion as to whether the teacher should have been videoed and who is at fault. For all we know, this might have been a one-off situation, and not a true reflection of this teacher’s usual disciplinary methods, and this video would then be unfair to her, as we are led to assume that this is the usual way she disciplines her students. Further more, I feel that it is disrespectful of the student to video his/her teacher without permission. If he/she had issues with the teacher in question, why not approach the teacher directly or report the dissatisfaction towards her disciplinary methods to her superiors? Unless it was a last-ditch attempt to convince the disbelieving administration of the teacher’s inadequate teaching methods, it is difficult to see exactly what purpose this video serves in solving anything, and especially – why post it on youtube? The purpose of the video, with the posting of it on youtube, seems to be to embarrass the teacher, instead of resolving any of the student’s apparent disapproval of her teaching methods.
I disagree with Eunice’s statement that, ‘the intention of the student was clearly to open room for discussion with regards to whether the teacher's actions are justifiable.’ I believe that there are many other students that would have witnessed her unsatisfactory methods first-hand if this is the usual way she disciplines her students, and so, there should be an abundant amount of students that would be able to open discussions and judge on their own whether her actions are justifiable without the video, which is disrespectful and invasive in the first place. Hence, I would have to disagree and say that I am unable to see why this video is needed, except to embarrass and pinpoint the teacher on an online platform without giving her a chance to justify her actions or improve on her methods, especially if this is just a one-off.
But again, much of what I have discussed is just speculation on my part, and in the same way, we have no clear idea of whether the student deserved the scolding at all. It is entirely probable that he might have had a truly forgivable excuse for the standard of work he produced, or that he might have really been irresponsible and guilty of handing sub-standard work on a regular basis. We are unable to fairly accuse any party without having more information about the circumstances.
However, I do agree that her words are a tad too harsh and inappropriate, with many negative words used to put down the student. I also disapprove of the label she puts on the student in her lecture – with her saying that “all the good PRC students have never disappointed me,” and lamenting the student for being the first student to disappoint her. I do not see why the teacher has to bring in the fact that the student is a PRC, and as a teacher, she should discourage stereotypes, yet here, she is perpetuating the idea that PRC students are obedient and high-achieving students that always do well, even holding her student to such a stereotype.
In conclusion, my opinion is that more about the situation needs to be known before concluding about who is at fault and whether the video should have been taken. While the video does serve as a reminder for teachers to be mindful of their words when lecturing students, the motive behind taking the video should be questioned, together with the teacher’s, and student’s track record, instead of mindlessly berating the teacher without understanding more about the situation.
- jessie
Howled at 12:18 AM
