Recently I was assigned a substitute placement at the high school I once attended. The reoccurring thought that continued through the day was how much things have changed since I attended High School. Of course, it was nostalgic to walk in the halls that I once roamed. However, the reality of “evolution” set in when I noticed that students had limited verbal conversations with their peers because they preferred to text their friends. I soon realized that the days of fancy paper folding and passing notes in class are as “old” as a rotary phone.
While there were noticeable changes in teen pop culture, some things remained the same. For instance, in one class, a student tried to switch seats with another student so that she can sit near her friend. Some students were vulnerable to share in classroom discussions, while others seemed to enjoy the chance to share their thought provoking and articulate thoughts about Shakespeare. Homework and projects are dreaded words to hear. It became apparent that being a student still has the same challenges as it did when I was a student.
There is no doubt that social networking sites, reality television, and innovative technology influence todays’ youth. However, as educators we must remember that being a student regardless of these “changes” is still the same. It is imperative to remember what it was like to be in “their shoes” as a student. That at times it can be frustrating to understand Pythagorean’s Theorem and how it is relevant to the real world. This is where the educator must become creative and apply their understanding of pop culture to apply it to their lessons. For instance, explain how awkward it is to read a Facebook status when someone is using the wrong form of “their”. Or use themes in Blockbuster Hits to explain a reoccurring theme that may exist between Twilight and Romeo and Juliet. If we can continue to exhibit how and why the things we are learning in class is relatable to the real world, then the students are more likely to understand. My suggestion is to take the time to know what is going on in pop culture for the age group that you are teaching. Use that knowledge that you have acquired and make it work in your instruction. The students will appreciate it.
Keep Calm And Teach On!
Xoxo,
Doreen Peterson
