To IT or not to IT

image by luisvilla, August 27, 2006 @flickr.com

Some of the students are having real problems with the home office. In discussions with colleagues this has been having an impact on mental health and consequently attendance. This is now impacting on the learning of new IT skills.

Norddin turns up 1 hour late. “We are working on these tasks Norddin”.
I pick up a handout and put it next to him. “Can you help me?”
“ Serban can help you.”
“ No not with the computer, with the immigration problem?”
He comes to class for the company, for some support, emotionally, psychologically. He turns on the computer checks his email, goes to last FM and then plugs in his headphones. He loves Rai music. “ Listen, this is best singer in Morocco”, and he pushes the headphone in my ear. I am easily distracted with the heady vibes of the music.
“OK, so how are you getting on?”
“ What do I need to do?”
“ Follow the instructions.” Every 10 minutes he calls me over to listen to more music. I admit it is good. He barely gets through the first part of the task. He is struggling to stay in the country. He tells me The Home Office are making problems for him. He gets comfort from listening to his favourite singers. IT skills seem secondary for him right now.