I have taught students many concepts in my years as a trainer, but today’s lesson was one of my favorites:
“Shut up!”
Not the traditional ‘shut your mouth’ usage of the phrase — but the ‘you’ve got to be kidding, tell me more’ meaning. My class of primarily native German speakers were not aware of this slang term, and they left my course very excited to try it out on their colleagues.
I’m sure it will be a big hit.
I just wish I could remember where the usage originated. On TV? In a movie? Does anyone out there remember? If you do,
Shut up! (keep talking)
The squirrel whisperer
Students in my college courses can attest to my habit of using unusual examples to illustrate concepts during class. One of my favorites?
Squirrels
It began innocently enough. A student asked a question, and as I was trying to think of a good analogy, I spied a squirrel outside the classroom window.
So I went there.
And I liked where it went. Now future classes have heard me use the squirrel in various analogies ever since. Yes, they give me strange looks at first. But they eventually come around…or, I like to think so.
Not actual robosquirrel used (but wouldn’t it be awesome??)
Which is why I greeted the story of the ‘robosquirrel,’ a biology project at San Diego State University focused on predator/prey interaction, with much affection.
I know it has gained national attention because of its $325,000 price tag, and its funding from the National Science Foundation, and ultimately, taxpayer dollars.
I’m not here to debate all that.
I just want to say, to any of my former students who may be reading this blog…
SEE??? Squirrel stories work.
They really do.
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Posted in Animals, College, Commentary, Education, Humor, Life, Writing
Tagged analogy, animals, biology project, classroom, college, college courses, commentary, communications, concepts, education, examples, Humor, life, National Science Foundation. taxpayer dollars, predator prey interaction, robosquirrel, San Diego State University, squirrels, students, writing