Halfway through the fall semester and I’m weighing in with my…what’s this?…second weekly entry? Wow—really thought that I’d be able to keep pace better than that.
So…where are we? Heading into the Cold War in my modern US classes and Rome/Han in World. Early America is getting into the 1840s, so we’re well on our way to the Civil War.
Most frustrating thing so far this semester is the constantly shifting due dates due to illness, confusion and other nonsense (nearly all my fault). Strongly considering eliminated due dates per se, shifting to a system where essays are due at any time before the midterm and/or final. Would provide more flexibility for students (which may lead to better results) and, of course, reduce huge piles of essays to grade.
Downside, of course, is losing track of how students are doing as a group. Problems that I could address to the class will have to be addressed over and over to individual students. Not a great solution. Still, frustrating that after 7 years of doing this, I still misjudge schedules and workload.
In other news… signed a release for a thing I wrote, so that’s probably going to actually appear at some point (I think…it’s a chapter for an edited collection and I am so far out of the loop of how these things work that it’s just sad). Project SMITH has passed phase one and is winging its way to people for feedback. Really hope to be able to talk about SMITH at some point, but I strongly believe in the power of loose lips to jinx opportunities (plus, blabbing about potential cool things just makes me sound like a wannabe).
Must go now, watching the Star Wars Holiday Special and I’m missing the Jefferson Starship performance.