Monday, May 24, 2010
End of Semester
I've always looked forward more to semesters starting than ending but this one I am definitely glad to have in the rear view mirror. Unexpected stressors added to the grief of losing Mom and all that came with that. But that situation will be totally different shortly, much much to my relief.
Next fall, I will be given a title for duties I've already had plus a few more. Those duties made my semester last a week longer but it set a good foundation for the transition we are already undergoing. There are a few misconceptions about my role among some colleagues but time will allow them to see that not as much as they think might have actually changed. Most importantly, unlike most of our colleagues in higher education, we've had no layoffs, pay cuts, or furloughs (yet!). That's really all that matters in the real world. We have to remind ourselves how lucky we are to know we have a job next year and the next.
This summer will not be quite as busy as last summer and the only travel I'm responsible for is in-state. Getting some significant writing done also has to be on the agenda given the change in my formal responsibilities next year. I only wish Mom were here to talk to about all of this. I don't know that I'll ever get used to not being able to talk to her - or at least to have her actually respond. I look up a lot these days.
Next fall, I will be given a title for duties I've already had plus a few more. Those duties made my semester last a week longer but it set a good foundation for the transition we are already undergoing. There are a few misconceptions about my role among some colleagues but time will allow them to see that not as much as they think might have actually changed. Most importantly, unlike most of our colleagues in higher education, we've had no layoffs, pay cuts, or furloughs (yet!). That's really all that matters in the real world. We have to remind ourselves how lucky we are to know we have a job next year and the next.
This summer will not be quite as busy as last summer and the only travel I'm responsible for is in-state. Getting some significant writing done also has to be on the agenda given the change in my formal responsibilities next year. I only wish Mom were here to talk to about all of this. I don't know that I'll ever get used to not being able to talk to her - or at least to have her actually respond. I look up a lot these days.
Labels: fall semester, Mom, summer, university
Thursday, October 30, 2008
School Week
I'm still settling in to "losing" the student headaches for the semester. If only they had listened to us earlier in the semester, everyone could have been spared some angst. But I guess that is a normal part of the process - students have to learn in their own ways about the realities of life and in their own timeframe - even if you could have saved them months of time.
I'm headed to a lecture presentation this evening that should be fun - both the presentation and the crowd and then will be doing some research prep for our grants at the National Archives. And that is always fun!
I'm headed to a lecture presentation this evening that should be fun - both the presentation and the crowd and then will be doing some research prep for our grants at the National Archives. And that is always fun!
Labels: fall semester, NARA-KC, students
Sunday, September 07, 2008
September and Courses
It always seems to take until about the third week of classes for students to fully demonstrate that they realize the semester has indeed started. That's especially true when Labor Day shortens the second week.
We had enrollment the Friday before classes started on Monday. However, more than a few students waited until Monday to come to campus to handle diverse issues that could have much more easily been handled on Friday - especially if it meant attending class on Monday and/or arriving in class at the start time. It still amazes me that students will bang their way into a closed door instead of waiting until the door is opened for them. But I digress.
I always like to get a "feel" for my students before finalizing the semester's assignments and always reserve the right to tweak assignments to ensure that students fully understand what is expected AND that I've been as clears as possible in conveying those expectations. I continue to reiterate to them that earning an "A" does not mean that they "met the requirements". Instead, that means a "C" or average. I have used some of the explanatories that Liz Lawley has used over the years to try to more clearly express this to students. That goes along with explaining that grades are earned and not negotiated.
A large project is about to be put to bed and for that I will be more than thankful. It's been more stressful than it needs to be by design - especially given how much of it is out of our control. That's the nature of a group project. But, when it is out and available - hopefully within a year from now - it will have been well worth the various ensuing struggles. And, the best part is that I have gotten to know several colleagues much better and, as a result, have even more admiration for the work that they do. We do similar work as this project will attest but almost every one of us comes at it with a different mode of thought and/or approach. In other words, great minds think alike but also distinctly.
We had enrollment the Friday before classes started on Monday. However, more than a few students waited until Monday to come to campus to handle diverse issues that could have much more easily been handled on Friday - especially if it meant attending class on Monday and/or arriving in class at the start time. It still amazes me that students will bang their way into a closed door instead of waiting until the door is opened for them. But I digress.
I always like to get a "feel" for my students before finalizing the semester's assignments and always reserve the right to tweak assignments to ensure that students fully understand what is expected AND that I've been as clears as possible in conveying those expectations. I continue to reiterate to them that earning an "A" does not mean that they "met the requirements". Instead, that means a "C" or average. I have used some of the explanatories that Liz Lawley has used over the years to try to more clearly express this to students. That goes along with explaining that grades are earned and not negotiated.
A large project is about to be put to bed and for that I will be more than thankful. It's been more stressful than it needs to be by design - especially given how much of it is out of our control. That's the nature of a group project. But, when it is out and available - hopefully within a year from now - it will have been well worth the various ensuing struggles. And, the best part is that I have gotten to know several colleagues much better and, as a result, have even more admiration for the work that they do. We do similar work as this project will attest but almost every one of us comes at it with a different mode of thought and/or approach. In other words, great minds think alike but also distinctly.
Labels: colleagues, fall semester, projects, students, teaching
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