I did it. I got through a week of a virtual classroom for a course I'm doing. I'm worn out, but I did it. Of course, it's not over; there are still assessments to be completed, but the classroom aspect (the most arduous part) is over! Again, the technology gods were not totally benign. I ended up asking my son for the use of his laptop (he had recently upgraded for his own lectures during lockdown because his previous laptop didn't efficiently support the platform in which the learning process is conducted). Other students had technology issues, also.
When I was a kid, and had to do remote learning when the teacher was away for professional development, it was arranged the class would sit around a table with a Sanyo cassette player in the middle, and listen to a recorded lesson of a man reciting the times tables whilst we followed with the use of a text book. I think this recording and book was specifically designed for children in remote areas (not that I was in a particularly remote area; the teacher was away). We also learned songs via a program broadcast on ABC radio, and sang along with a book. I think that's how I learned the song The Rhythm of Life. Whilst primitive, these processes weren't as fraught with danger as the online processes. The biggest issue we faced was a blackout, which could be circumvented if the radio or tape recorder had been fitted with batteries, and if there was enough light to see. The only other technological screw-up was if the cassette spewed out its tape, and this was easily fixed with an HB pencil. We certainly didn't have to worry about lag, connectivity going AWOL, or the webcam just deciding to not work. For one of my lessons, I had to conduct an assessment on somebody who was a lot younger than I am, and I mentioned there would be allowance for technology issues. I then said in my spiel about the cassette and spewed tape being my only issue as a kid, and she was totally enthralled, all agog at what I'm sure she perceived to be a lesson in ancient history direct from the horse's mouth.
With this intense training last week, I have not been paying too much attention to the world. What's the point? It hasn't changed. People are still stupid. The thing that's burrowing skyward in my nostrils at the moment is the praise being heaped upon actor Mike Henry for stepping back from his role as Cleveland Brown in Family Guy. If you don't know, Henry is a Caucasian voice actor and the character Cleveland is African-American. His reasoning is only actors of colour should voice characters of colour. Look, I understand about diversity in casting, and support it. I really enjoyed the stage adaptation of Frankenstein's Monster I viewed on You Tube recently -- Benedict Cumberbatch played Dr Victor Frankenstein, and his father and younger brother were played by actors who were POC. I liked seeing the diversity and work given to a sector of actors who often miss out. The performances were great and the differences in appearance not at all distracting. As an aside, it's common in New Zealand for Maori actors to play traditionally Caucasian roles or members of Caucasian families and nobody bats an eyelid.
But what's pissing me off is that voice acting is an art form in itself. If an actor can make an animated character real just through the power of his or her voice, then what's the problem? Like I always say, Bugs Bunny is not voiced by an actual rabbit. Also, Mike Henry voices other characters in Family Guy, including that creepy old pederast with the Zimmer frame. Are producers and casting agents going to put out the call to nursing homes where there might be such a creature lurking?
I daresay actors voicing several characters in animated series is because it saves the production company money on paying more actors than necessary, and it gives the actor a chance to show off his or her range. People like to save money and actors like to show off the skills - it's win/win - but maybe the world is getting too politically correct altogether.
Oh well, that's me done. Ciao for now.
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