Today I taught two of the same class back to back.  It was the second to last lecture on comics and social justice.  I knew that they were getting impatient to start so I figured I better speed things up. I can’t wait until the students begin actually working on their projects!  I find that “lecturing” day after day is really exhausting.

After I presented, I found it interesting that the TOC said that all the material I presented could have been done over a span of many days.  This is true.  I absolutely believe each and every one of these comic elements could have been expanded on.  What I felt pressed for was the time.  The time I have to teach this class, the time I have to present my information, and the time they need to actually START their comic.  It’s a delicate balancing act between choosing the most relevant material, finding when to introduce information to the students, and when they can begin their art project.  This is probably the most challenging part about teaching.

I was aware of the fact that teachers face the pressures of having a decent class enrollment so that the course would not be cancelled.  At this rate, if I were to teach any art classes, they would probably be cancelled!  I feel that I come off as being “too stern”, “not fun”, and that my projects and assignments are boring/lame.  My goal has always been to inspire my students to think critically about life and to understand that art is more than just craft making.  Will they ever come to see this or am I fighting a losing battle?  It is no wonder that so many teachers end up conforming to what the students/administrators desire for class curriculum.

Communicating with ELL students proved to be one the most difficult tasks that I face.  I found that the best way for me to do this is to find a translator in class or to use Google Translator.  Yes it is useful!  I used plenty of gestures, pictures, and examples.  It seems to be working!

Everyday I deal with students that are resistant to the project and my authority.  I do find it easier to deal with as time goes on but I don’t know if I am actually motivating them.  The lack of intrinsic motivation in my class is very apparent.  Many are there because they think it is an “easy” course so when I make them work, they suddenly feel like banging their heads against the table.  As a former high school student, I know that there are courses and projects that I absolutely loathed.  I couldn’t see the point in learning what I thought was irrelevant material.  When will I ever need to balance chemical equations in my life?  I knew I was poor at chemistry so I my interest in the subject was low.  I can understand that many students will see my project as being silly, but unlike balancing chemical equations, talking about social issues is completely relevant to the well being of our lives.  I will continue to stick to my guns and show that I believe in what I am teaching.  I will not let the students bring me down.  So why did I title this, “Elements of Comics”?  Well, in addition to teaching the actual elements that make up comics, I also learned to find laughter in everyday life.  I can’t take the student’s supposed negative attitude towards me too seriously.  I realize that as a teacher, it is my job to discipline and set boundaries.