Look what showed up at my doorstep yesterday afternoon!
I really don't have much else to say. It must be getting really old hearing that I am still working on reviewing and grading student blog posts, but that's pretty much how I spent my entire afternoon yesterday, following four class hours.
One would think that getting paid to read blogs would be a really sweet deal. In reality, it is more than that. There are directions that need to be followed. I need to be able to identify who left comments on whose blogs. The students themselves need to be able to find each other's blogs. I have discovered the need to create and post some tutorials on specific tasks I am assigning for homework. In all, it is a huge pile of work. I am not complaining, mostly. After all, I am the one who proposed the inclusion of blogging into the curriculum. I am also the one who approached the department chair for permission to eliminate the term paper in favor of a semester-long ethics project conducted entirely in cyberspace.
It is tiring, however, all of this. When I feel like maybe I have bitten off too much to chew, I console myself with the following thoughts:
"This is a work in progress. Nobody can be expected to foresee each and every pitfall of a new plan prior to its implementation."
"All of the work I am doing now will make the beginning of next semester much easier."
"The students are much more engaged in this project than their compatriots ever were in the term papers."
"I am carrying around a lot less paper these days, which my flaky left shoulder really appreciates."
"Number Guy is a supportive husband who understands that I am under a lot of pressure right now - and he's all mine."
"The knitting will still be there when this beginning of the semester crunch is in the past. And I have been able to sneak in a few rows here and there. Even if it was just in the doctor's office waiting room."
"My blog peeps will also still be here and when the crunch is done and will forgive my infrequent posting in the meantime."
"I have a new Advance Review Copy to read!"
Posts
12 yarns:
Hey Trek,
Some of us will still read. Especially those of us who not only knit, but will be going into the teaching field (not quite professor status, but teaching none the less). :D There are times that you've described questions my fellow classmates may have had and I have to remind myself that none of us are in technology class right now. Now this would not have been true last year, but our tech prof didn't have kids. ;)
It's neat to see the technology in the classroom (even if it is specifically a tech class) as I plan on using technology in my future classroom. :D
Keep blogging prof trek, even if all you do is say a fast "Hi, I'm teaching and it's crazy, little to no knitting right now" :D
I think the blogging assignment is a brilliant idea. Blogging is a brand new form of human communication. Never before has it been possible for regular folks to communicate so quickly with so many other people about common human experiences. I truly believe blogging has changed the world (for the better)--and not just because I'm a blogger. ;)
Yes, you shall be forgiven! After all, working is a necessary evil!!
And in these times it seems ungrateful to complain if one actually has a job!
Starting from scratch on anything is a learning process. Dealing with the details and putting out little fires will keep you occupied for quite some time. We'll still be here :)
I think you have started something big here and of course there are some growing pains. Do what you have to, and don't worry (be happy!)
I hate the beginning of the year when everything is still in the "new" stage. It will come together soon, though and next semester will be a billion times easier for your having done the troubleshooting now.
Hang in there!
I'm still here - the benefit to you not posting as regularly means I have a chance to catch up which is nice for me.
I'm with you on #7!!
Hang in there!
We're still here! And some of us are in a similar crunch as well. I've been registering children for dance, spanish, music, sunday school, choir, acting, sewing and art for three weeks and they're still coming in, two weeks into the session, sheesh!
I think this week I can breathe and do a proper website update. Plus editing a filmlet. Plus blogging, oh, well, when is the knitting again?
I too still think the blogging assignment was brilliant! You have already had a profound effect on one group of people's lives and now a 2nd group is on their way!
We'll still be here!!
The geek in me wonders if you'd enjoy writing a program to track and report cross-comments of your students....
And of course we'll be here! Today was my DH's first day of school. I didn't take a picture of him in his new school clothes (well, he didn't get new clothes this year) because I left before he did. And my mother is visiting!
Post a Comment