My last 2 posts were definitely the usual ed tech or techie posts that I like to do. This one is really more of a slice of teacher life. I have to include some techie stuff in this post, though,
Gee willikers
Yesterday I was working in one of our middle schools doing the Anne Frank House VR on Meta Oculus Quest 2. The students studied WWII and specifically the Holocaust. I go into our 8th-grade classes in both of our middle schools to run the VR experience while teachers and students work on other work. Students cycle through with about 5 minutes each in the experience. I really believe in the power of VR for our students (and others) to gain a sense of empathy after participating in an experience like this. Also, our students come from low-income families so only about 1/3 of them have experienced VR let alone own a $300 unit personally.
That's a little tech background for you - now to the slice.
Since many students have never experienced VR before some of them have very strong reactions once they put on the headset for the first time. An 8th-grade boy put it on yesterday and exclaimed, "Gee willikers!" I have not heard that expression used in years. The thing that also made it funny was that I had been using the term "coolio" with the students and the teacher in the room, who happens to also be a friend who is my age, was razzing me for using 90's lingo and thinking I was talking to the kids on their level. In both cases the slang was outdated. Does that matter? Did we both get our point across even though we used outdated slang? I was really surprised to hear something like that come out of a 13 y/o's mouth. I asked him, "Are you 90?" He said no, of course. I asked him where he hear that. He said he couldn't remember.
In closing I will say -- This is why I love my job - kids really do say the darndest things and every day is different!
Gee willikers slicers!
I bet he heard it from someone in his family or maybe he read it in a book! I'm a retired teacher and would love to have had VR experiences for my students.
ReplyDeleteI teach 5th graders and I am constantly in awe of the things that come out of their mouths. You sometimes have to pause and laugh as the little things don't ya! Glad you are slicing!
ReplyDelete"Gee willikers" this made me smile. Sometimes I do get caught off guard by an expression used by one of my students. I have never experienced VR myself...maybe some day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great use for VR! And obviously the students appreciate it. So funny that your student would use that expression -- maybe he watches old TV shows?
ReplyDeleteKids do say the funniest things. I think language and usage is so interesting. I'm an ESL teacher so the interest drives a lot of what I do and teach. I have always heard that trends come back so maybe words do too.
ReplyDeleteFirst, welcome to the SOL community!
ReplyDeleteSecond, I would love to learn more about that VR program? Is it something anyone can access? I'm asking since I'm teaching my daughter about the Holocaust now and I think that could be beneficial for her to experience.
I adored the way you brought your students' old fashioned expressions to life. This is definitely a kids-say-the-darndest-things kind of slice. I'd love to use it, if you'll grant me permission, as a BE INSPIRED piece in the daily call for slice of life stories this weekend. If that's okay with you, would you please email me back at stacey{at}staceyshubitz{dot}com by tomorrow afternoon? THANKS!
Way to go, Mona!
Deletegee willikers, slicers! love the ending and kids *are the best!
ReplyDeleteSo refreshing to hear an oldie phrase over the cussing...which made for a cute story! :) PS...your comment settings need to be changed. I could not comment with my url-had to use a google name.
ReplyDeleteWasn't this a big Leave It To Beaver saying? I loved watching that with my grandma! :) Love when kids say things like this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun contrast between exclamations! One of my favorite mild swears is "Oh Crumb!"
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