Thursday, September 3, 2009

Blogging Class

Tonight we started another 7-week series of the blogging class at my library... which I'm teaching. So needless to say now that tonight's class is over, my hands are swollen and I'm still a little shaky.

Can I just tell you how baffling it is for me, how utterly confusing and startling it is, when people laugh at my jokes? I think I must react like a surprised animal, snapping my head back and looking from side to side trying to figure out what's going on. I just don't feel like a funny person - I think I assume that when people I'm talking to one-on-one laugh, they are being polite and saving me the humiliation of just staring at me when I make a joke (thank you, people). But in a classroom situation, you are one of a group, and you don't have to do anything you don't want to do (and believe me, people don't... the phrase, "Please wait until everyone catches up" is useless in a large group). So it's startling when not just one, but SEVERAL people start chuckling and I realize it's in response to me. Nothing freaks me out more. And I mean that in the best possible way. Pleasantly baffled, you could call me.

We had 19 people there tonight. When I taught the blogging series last time, I had a grand total of 8 people through all of the classes. This is 10 people more. And there were CHILDREN. (Actually they did awesome, and supported my theory that maturity is higher in children than young adults). But it all went well. No one glared at me or threw anything or walked out, and that has to equal success, right?

4 comments:

Jacque said...

That's awesome. I think you should post some of your jokes so we can chuckle, too. =)

Brooke S. said...

18 is fabulous! And can I just say that they laugh because your jokes are funny? You really put on a good show and make that blogging class fun. Wish I could skype in and help you!

Ann-Marie said...

our blogging students love you. especially those 3 women that sit in the front!

Danette said...

You're a funny girl, get used to it. I have found that there is something seductive about a group of people hanging on your every word.

Just so you feel extra special you should know that two people fell asleep in my last class. There's nothing like looking out and seeing two sleepers to heighten your teacher self esteem :-)