My school department set up a new webmail system two years ago that all of us school employees are supposed to be on, including aides (like me), custodians, nurses, secretaries, and lunch people. They've really been pushing it lately. Apparently, after two years there are still some employees (including some teachers) who don't know how to use it or aren't even on it, so this morning I had to sit for over three hours to learn how to navigate E-mail.

I just felt like this was a huge waste of time. A lot of us know how to use E-mail already and actively use the school's webmail system. (I only use it for work-related stuff.) Why should we have had to waste a whole morning like that? I don't mind that the school department added two professional development days to the school year, but couldn't we have learned something useful? It was a complete waste of time and money.

It's rediculous that some in the work force don't either know how to use email or choose not to. I work for a local school district and have come to learn which staff check their emails and those that don't. I don't understand those that don't take advantage of it as it's a less intrusive way to communicate without interrupting someone who may be in the middle of class for example. They can communicate at their convenience.

It's rediculous that some in the work force don't either know how to use email or choose not to. I work for a local school district and have come to learn which staff check their emails and those that don't. I don't understand those that don't take advantage of it as it's a less intrusive way to communicate without interrupting someone who may be in the middle of class for example. They can communicate at their convenience.

Exactly. I do prefer face-to-face communication, but in some cases, E-mail is a much more effective way of communicating. The teacher I work with refuses to use E-mail and we often get interruptions when we are trying to teach. I wish she'd put a stop to it.

There are quite a few people out there who dont know how to send and use E mails. Some people who dont own a computer or dont use a computer for their job dont have a clue about email.

I do see your point, Mickey, but the school department should have offered separate in-service training to these people instead of assuming that all of us aides don't know how to use E-mail. I personally found it very insulting to me to have to sit for three hours and be taught something that I have been doing for 10 years. We could have spent that time learning something that could have been beneficial to all of us.

You really work for my district, don't you?

I do see your point, Mickey, but the school department should have offered separate in-service training to these people instead of assuming that all of us aides don't know how to use E-mail. I personally found it very insulting to me to have to sit for three hours and be taught something that I have been doing for 10 years. We could have spent that time learning something that could have been beneficial to all of us.
They made us sit through a poverty simulation this year. Apparently our district thinks all their employees are completely clueless to the fact that some people are poor! ohno: Some people were all like, "That was eye opening!" I felt like it insulted my intelligence. Heck, I'M ONE OF THOSE POOR PEOPLE. And it happens to be my district's fault for not offering full time to anyone and giving absolutely no benefits.

Plus, I work at the poorest elementary in the district; I'm well aware of the plight of some of the children. I'm not a moron.

God I would think so! I'm a VERY SLOW person w new technology & I got the hang of it 8 yrs ago!

They made us sit through a poverty simulation this year. Apparently our district thinks all their employees are completely clueless to the fact that some people are poor! ohno: Some people were all like, "That was eye opening!" I felt like it insulted my intelligence. Heck, I'M ONE OF THOSE POOR PEOPLE. And it happens to be my district's fault for not offering full time to anyone and giving absolutely no benefits.

Plus, I work at the poorest elementary in the district; I'm well aware of the plight of some of the children. I'm not a moron.
I sat through that inservice a couple of years ago. Then they gave us the Ruby Payne book on children in poverty to study. I swear I was appalled by how little some of the people I work with understand about poor families. I grew up very poor and it makes me sick to hear some of the things so called professionals say about our kids and their families. Unfortunately, the worst offenders didn't bother to pay attention or learn anything new anyway.

I really wish school districts would give the inservices to those who need it and not the normal folks who have a brain and understand real life!

There are teachers at my school who cannot figure out the e-mail system. How are we as educators supposed to prepare students for the future if we can't even send an e-mail? You should see the little first graders in computer lab trying to show their teacher how to use the different programs. :lol: And no...that is not my first grade class.

Nothing surprises me anymore. Someone actually asked my friend what the difference was between a laptop and a notebook, and no I'm not joking.

Well you'd think everyone knows how to use email by now, LOL.

God I would think so! I'm a VERY SLOW person w new technology & I got the hang of it 8 yrs ago!
:yeahthat The elderly I can understand, but everyone working should know at least basic email and internet skills.

Nothing surprises me anymore. Someone actually asked my friend what the difference was between a laptop and a notebook, and no I'm not joking.

I've been using computers since the 1980s and learned to program in Assembly and Fortran. I got an A- in Microcomputers in a university course. I've been online for about 9 years. But I can honestly say that I don't really know what a notebook is when it comes to computers!

Especially once I got an internet connection on my own PC, I never cared about things like laptops, ipods, and other constantly changing technologies. The amount of waste generated by outdated electronics is a tremendous problem, fed by such quick moves everyone is compelled to make to own the newest and greatest! ;)

You have to remember that earlier generations either did not have computers for their own use in their schools, or they were just coming along as far as PCs. In my case we were already in high school before anyone got their hands on one, and even then things were very basic. Teacher: "This is a floppy disk..." When I was in college, it took a one-page program just to draw a line from point a to point b. I think people sometimes take for granted what modern systems can do, and expect everyone to be up on jargon, etc. I wish we could slow down a little, because I hate the idea of buying into the latest technology and having it become obsolete in a matter of months!

I had to sit for over three hours to learn how to navigate E-mail.

I admire your patience, If anyone had insulted my intelligence like that I'd have walked out of the room. Also, Why did it take 3 hours? Seems like a longtime to learn how to use e-mail