I’ve noticed quite an interesting phenomenon with regards to those in teaching positions. I’ve been educated by people with different cultural backgrounds but would like to focus on two backgrounds: West vs. Arab instructors.
I’m currently undergoing a basic online programming course where there’s a live instructor at the other end who evaluates my work and grades me. The instructor happens to be American.
I got tired of the repetitive nature of the lines I’m supposed to “code” and seeing the same repetitive output. So I decided to be a little creative and of course, knowing me…a pinch of humor added. Instead of outputting the usual, “I am a RED cake!” line, I changed that to, “You, sir. Are a rainbow fruitcake!” – added a bit of colors and presto! Good for laughs, and I actually got a positive review for it!
Imagine I do that for a Comp Sci professor in Kuwait University or any other educational institution in Kuwait? He/She would boot me out on my scrawny ass for not following instructions to the letter and for being insulting too. They have no sense of humor or any imagination whatsoever.
Arab instructors (not all) have this ridiculous power-tripping mentality where if a student points out a mistake or is thinking outside the box, they mark that student out as “Public Enemy #1″. They can’t stand students who are actually brilliant, too.
What a sad world we live in where creativity and humor is considered taboo in educational institutions.
I’m just a mere Pre-K through 5 teacher but must comment that WE actually have whole meetings on HOW to think outside the box….and to make our kids do the same. I’d say on the American side, we think it’s a good thing.