Nancy wrote: >I always respond to IMs (instant messages) that I receive from students. >Usually I find it to be enjoyable and non-intrusive (if I am busy I just >tell the student so.) > >Yesterday I had an unpleasant experience. I agreed to accept an IM and was >greeted with "F-- you I hate you." > >I know this will seem trivial to you - as I write it seems that way to me. >It was very upsetting to me. I did not respond, I just deleted it. Being >who I am I can certainly imagine a bunch of possible culprits...everyone >from angry students who received lowered grades or failures for plagiarism >to a secretary at an online school who took it upon herself to tell a >student that received an I that she didn't have to submit the outstanding >work (I confronted her.) Or it could have been a fluke, not intended for me >at all. I know I shouldn't take it personally, but it did put me in a funk >for the rest of the day. > >This is just to vent a little. I generally find this mode of communication >to be a great way to feel connected to both students and colleagues. I am >not going to stop accepting student IMs because of this cowardly and >ridiculous behavior. It just, well, kinda sucks that I have to worry about >it happening again. That's life in the big psychology instructor city...
I received a message on my answering machine at hoem no less a while back: "Dr Avis: I think you are an a**h*** (hang up) Such formality, why not call me Harry? It sort of reminded me of the story about the minister who delivered a sermon at a mental hospital. In the middle of the sermon, one patient stood up and shouted: "this is all bullshit". The minister was upset but finished the service. Afterward he asked the superintendent if he thought that the was likely to be repeated. The superintendent said: No, that guy has only one sane moment every five years?" > > >--- > Harry Avis PhD Sierra College Rocklin, CA 95677 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Life is opinion - Marcus Aurelius There is nothing that is good or bad, but that thinking makes it so - Shakespeare _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
