Friday, May 14, 2010

Infinite Wisdom

Our district got a grant to get internet-based phones in every classroom.  Plug the phone into the USB port and log onto Microsoft Messenger, and parents will be able to get in touch with me anywhere I go, world-wide.

Except in my classroom during business hours.  If I want, I can get phone calls from parents while I’m on vacation in Cancun, but not during my consultation period when I’m at school.

Yup, they set up the system to block incoming calls during our contract hours (7:00 AM to 3:30 PM).  Thanks to the few teachers who will abuse the system, and who are probably already doing it with their personal cell phones, we’re given this great piece of technology that is only useful when we’re off the job.

Another case of people who haven’t been in a classroom for over 20 years spending money in places that best serve the students.

Yup.

sartin

4 comments:

A Paperback Writer said...

And why, in the name of all that's holy, would I want parents to be able to call me in my classroom? One of the truly good things about being a teacher is that you don't have to have anything interrupted by a phone.
I have a computer on all bloody day. Anyone with an e-mail account can reach me -- and I'll e-mail back when I'm free to do so.
I don't WANT a phone in my classroom. Stupid, stupid, stupid waste of money.

Jeff said...

Wow. I can't imagine what is going through their minds.

Max Sartin said...

But the irony that I truly cherish is that they are paying to give us something that they won't even allow us to use.
C'est manifique!

A Paperback Writer said...

And what happens when telephone solicitors get ahold of the numbers? Then we not only have to deal with phone calls from parents, but also from that crap. The viagra/Russian bride spam I get on e-mail is bad enough.