Kids computer talents judged by age, not knowledge

[Someguy03]

I am considered advanced at my school for my age, sadly probably the most advanced one in my school, except me and other students alike are considered stupid or unreliable. A good example would be in my school computer lab. Here is my story:

So my friend is messing around on the computer next to him with the resolution. We are not given most abilities, as the display properties panel is disabled, but since ATI drivers are installed, you can access the resolution settings from the right click menu. So my friend changed the refresh rate to higher than the moniter could support, and of course, the image got all distorted. Normally by default windows goes back to the normal resolution after 15 seconds but a teacher was about to walk by so my friend restarted the computer, thus jamming the computer in the wrong resolution. By default, the gateway moniter automatically displays an out of frequency message after trying to go to the windows login screen. So my friend does this without telling anyone, including me.

So the next day there is a sign taped to the moniter, saying "Note: computer not working, out of frequency?" Oviously waiting for a computer tech guy from the school to come by sometime and fix it. So I thought I would go the extra mile, and do it myself. I go on the gateway website and grab instructions for manually changing the resolution to fix the problem. It said to go into safemode, login, go to start > run >> regedit >>> some registry key, and change the resolution digits from there and then restart. So when I attempt to do this, I can't, since the run button is gone and the registry is blocked on my "student" account.

So I print the directions and write down "Login as admin when doing this; posted by adv. computer student," on the side of the page. It was friday, so I come back today, monday, and the directions I stuck up with the "Not working, Out of frequency?" paper are gone, and the not working sign is still there. So they basically just took the directions I pulled off the official website and threw them away, probably because I was a student, and left it broken. And another stupid thing is that all the computers (and moniters) in our lab are gateways, and the directions I found were directly off of the gateway site, and they still threw it away.

I think that is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard. I'm considered inexperienced because im only in high school?

[Tigerblade]

i agree... of course i'm not in high school anymore, but yeah the teachers just automatically assume that since we're "just students" and not as old/experienced as they are in some areas, we dont know anything. including about stuff we've grown up on, like... oh I dunno, computers. my dad has freelance taught a few computer basics courses at a local high school, and I know a lot more about some of that stuff than he does.

its ridiculous is what it is

[El Diablo]

quote:Originally posted by someguy03

I am considered advanced at my school for my age, sadly probably the most advanced one in my school, except me and other students alike are considered stupid or unreliable. A good example would be in my school computer lab. Here is my story:

So my friend is messing around on the computer next to him with the resolution. We are not given most abilities, as the display properties panel is disabled, but since ATI drivers are installed, you can access the resolution settings from the right click menu. So my friend changed the refresh rate to higher than the moniter could support, and of course, the image got all distorted. Normally by default windows goes back to the normal resolution after 15 seconds but a teacher was about to walk by so he restarted the computer, thus jamming the computer in the wrong resolution. By default, the gateway moniter automatically displays an out of frequency message after trying to go to the windows login screen. So he does this without telling anyone, including me.

So the next day there is a sign taped to the moniter, saying "Note: computer not working, out of frequency?" Oviously waiting for a computer tech guy from the school to come by sometime and fix it. So I thought I would go the extra mile, and do it myself. I go on the gateway website and grab instructions for manually changing the resolution to fix the problem. It said to go into safemode, login, go to start > run >> regedit >>> some registry key, and change the resolution digits from there and then restart. So when I attempt to do this, I can't, since the run button is gone and the registry is blocked on my "student" account.

So I print the directions and write down "Login as admin when doing this; posted by adv. computer student," on the side of the page. It was friday, so I come back today, monday, and the directions I stuck up with the "Not working, Out of frequency?" paper are gone, and the not working sign is still there. So they basically just took the directions I pulled off the official website and threw them away, probably because I was a student, and left it broken. And another stupid thing is that all the computers (and moniters) in our lab are gateways, and the directions I found were directly off of the gateway site, and they still threw it away.

I think that is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard. I'm considered inexperienced because im only in high school?

Yea I know what you mean, but think about this. If you applied for a computers job, lets say it's a well known company. There are 2 people going for an interview. One guy has a bachlors degree and you have your high school. Lets say that this guy is a complete moron and full of beans. If the employer sees both of your resumes he / she will most likely pick the moron with the bachlors degree then you with your high school diploma. Also because you're also young that might be a disadvantage, depending on who the employer is.
But I've seen a few people that just have their high school and they are electronic engineers for quite a while. The only problem with this is, if they get let go, it would be 10 times harder to look for a job then the people that have a degree in the same field.
So no matter what your teachers tell you, they are nothing but a bunch of morons that probably have no idea what the hell they are telling you.

[Tigerblade]

quote:Originally posted by El Diablo

So no matter what your teachers tell you, they are nothing but a bunch of morons that probably have no idea what the hell they are telling you.

and the best part is... they're teachers. teaching the eager young minds of tomorrow, but more times than not, they have no clue about whats really goin on.

this is probably more true for university professors than high school teachers, and even then for a select few subjects, but often they have no concept of the real world - their world consists entirely of academia and how things should be... "i know it works in practice, but does it work in theory?"

[Oreo]

Well guys, I'm a high school teacher and I've seen some really lame excuses for tech support and some really good tech support. I was the tech liason for the high school. (I basically fielded all of the silly questions some teachers had about the PC so the "tech" people could do other things). The problem is that we had one REALLY good one, and his "boss" was so so. I knew of some kids who were good at pc's and I actually told students to go to these kids if I couldn't solve their problem (esp. if the good guy was gone or particularly swamped). And guess what guys, if I am a teacher and I think this way that means there are others like me out there. Don't get dismayed, what you are running into is people who don't fully understand computers but don't want to give away any authority. In a few years, teachers will be more tech savvy and less afraid to give up some control...also, they won't need to give up control because they will be tech savvy. So, try not be so hard on us teachers, some of us out there care and understand what it's like to have their work ignored or unappreciated.

[Tigerblade]

quote:Originally posted by Oreo

In a few years, teachers will be more tech savvy and less afraid to give up some control...also, they won't need to give up control because they will be tech savvy. So, try not be so hard on us teachers, some of us out there care and understand what it's like to have their work ignored or unappreciated.

as much as i'd hope so for the sake of the people who will still be in school then (*cough cough* hahahaha sucks to be you *cough cough*), I dont see it happening... I have a lot more respect for teachers than I used to, and I realize there are some out there who do have a clue, but still the majority have no idea whats going on, and refuse to admit it and accept help.
i used to correct my teachers all the time, mostly on really basic stuff (like spelling???? come on), and they were not happy. granted, no one likes to lose face, especially in front of a group of younger people who are supposed to be learning from you, but come on suck it up, and face the fact that no, you dont know everything there is to know...
any teachers who happen to read this to whom this doesnt apply, my apologies, this is about the majority

[Oreo]

You bring up some valid points, however, if you say "HEY! Mr. Smith you totally spelled that wrong! What were you thinking?" and Mr. Smith is not the kind of teacher who will say "OOPS" or send some smart remark back your way, then it's best to leave Mr. Smith alone, for your own good. (That's how rumors of someone being a "rude kid" get started) Also, it's easy to make mistakes in spelling when you have to write things A LOT. There's always the way of coming up to the teacher after class and mentioning mistakes, it usually goes over better and they appreciate that you're trying to help. But I'm going off subject, you are right on one thing, no teacher knows everything there is to know...in fact NO PERSON does...I learn new things every day... Instead of condenming people who don't hold that view...try to find the ones that DO hold that view and see what you can learn from each other. You'll probably enjoy school more and the teachers you help, will really appreciate the help! (That's how rumors of "He's a GREAT kid" start). I'm sure there are a few you will meet who would love to have you teach them new things about computers...you just have to have the right approach. (And for the ones who want nothing to do with PC's....it's not just you...other adults have trouble reaching them too )

[El Diablo]

quote:Originally posted by Oreo
You bring up some valid points, however, if you say "HEY! Mr. Smith you totally spelled that wrong! What were you thinking?" and Mr. Smith is not the kind of teacher who will say "OOPS" or send some smart remark back your way, then it's best to leave Mr. Smith alone, for your own good. (That's how rumors of someone being a "rude kid" get started) Also, it's easy to make mistakes in spelling when you have to write things A LOT. There's always the way of coming up to the teacher after class and mentioning mistakes, it usually goes over better and they appreciate that you're trying to help. But I'm going off subject, you are right on one thing, no teacher knows everything there is to know...in fact NO PERSON does...I learn new things every day...

yea, you can't teach a dog new tricks LOL!

[Road_Runner]

As a sophomore in high school I can say that my teachers in high school and middle school have often resorted to students for computer help and there have been many successful results. My teachers are the cool ones, I guess. I agree with Oreo that many teachers out there hold students in high regard when it comes to computers. However, I haven't seen teachers from all over the nation.

[kron_19792000]

I have to agree with Tigerblade High school was cool compared to uni. But then I still feel teachers in school tend to be more authoritative, they are not very receptive to a student suggesting something. Most of the teachers I met in school seem to work on a tight pattern, and are not ready to change what they might percieve to be right and they are not very receptive to new ideas. At college level things seems to get more subtle and here I was thinking that college would be so much better. Then as diablo said " you can't teach a dog new tricks", but I thought college was more about sharing ideas and you were SUPPOSED to be treated as an adult ohhh well!!! I guess I have too utopian a view about the world of education