Monday, June 21, 2010

Seat Time vs. Productivity

Community College Dean provides some insight into the political climate surrounding "seat time" - which literally means, time in seat. I've always expected students to do much more than regurgitate what I've told them (read AND analyze books and articles and websites!) and have fought the "seat time" issue since I started teaching online classes almost 15 years ago.

Student learning, including dealing with the technology-immersive world we we all live in, should be the goal and reinforcing "seat time" is a dangerous step backwards.

To read more:

Confessions of a Community College Dean: You’re Not Helping!

Saturday, June 05, 2010

Adjustments

I am realizing that I am only beginning to comprehend the changes that are taking place around me. As the entire family attempts to return to "normal life" - although it will never seem normal without Mom - the three of us have to figure out how to fit into four holes. That's the best analogy I can think of.

I've been chosen for a new position at work which will allow some recognition by colleagues of work I've been doing since I arrived in 1993. My profession doesn't deal well with change but I prefer a structural reorganization to paycuts, layoffs, and furloughs. The organization of the reorganization will also create much less stress for everyone, including students.

Most importantly, I am realizing I have to apply my goal-driven personality (some would say that is an understatement in describing me) in a selective manner in order to ultimately achieve some goals - especially to those that involve other people. And most of life does do that.

It will be great to have a primary focus next week rather than being pulled in so many different directions. The, by the end of the week, I'm sure I'll be ready to go in different directions all at once again. Also important is my continuing to learn to be patient with myself. Being aware of something in an intellectual way does not mean we can incorporate it into our psychological selves.

Now I'm going to take advantage of the cool weather to wash the bugs off the car - an  unintended consequence of summer driving.

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