Officially my third day off work and I am in full on sloth mode. I think the rain outside is on my side this afternoon. Tomorrow it is off to Tennessee for Xmas weekend. Basil is having his great doggy smell removed today (he's getting a bath at the vet). It will take weeks for it to return. In the meantime, he will be all shiny and fluffy but stink of fur products.
I bought some fat pants today at the farmer's co-op. Incredibly they have super work clothes for sale. If I had my way I would wear nothing but T-shirts and cargo pants everyday; simple and comfortable. Dress down.
Other than the usual internet surfing and catching up on Tivo, I've spent a long time reading about trilobites. I'm reading another Richard Fortey book called Trilobite: Eyewitness to evolution. Who knew they had stony eyes? (real calcite) I got so inspired I bought an unprepared specimen off ebay. If I can summon the gumption, I'd like to finish it.
My video game Elderscroll: Skyrim was a bust. Turns out my laptop's video card is too old for the graphics. I'm going to need a newer computer. I offered the game to my nephew Elliot but I just realized it is rated M. He's folks may not approve. The Sun came out...time to nap.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Last Faculty Workday
Fall 2011 semester ended today. I posted my grades, turned off my office computer, and wished my friends John and Brian a happy holiday. Work resumes on Thursday January 5th.
I had big plans for BIO 101 this semester but it turned into a cruddy lecture-filled mess. I feel like I was more successful with last year's debacle. Of course I was shocked that three signed up for 102 in the Spring. I thought that no one would be that masochistic. I am relieved however.
Ever since I realized that lecture is a poor way to teach, I feel like I am short-changing my students. I have begun reading another "what is wrong with college today" book called Academically adrift. They argue that students are completing their first two years and even four years of college without being able to think critically, reason, and write effectively.
My big worry is that I will start up the grand plan, stress myself out and ruin Spring semester. This happens over every break. I make a list of things I want to do and then only accomplish a third. Why do I get so ambitious?
I have two Bio 103 classes next semester. I hope I have more than a 30% C or better rate than I did this semester. I start with a full class then by midterm one-third are gone and then they start to disappear. I keep hearing "where did everybody go?" Spring semester is not the best for retention, especially when warmer temperatures arrive and outside looks inviting.
Of course my big plan is to go PBL which would, in my mind, be a far richer and more lasting educational experience than what I am doing now. I've thought of three units for it so far that touch all the major concepts of biology: milk, malaria, and melanoma. I might add a missed miscellany as the fourth M. The part of teaching I love the most is the planning. The delivery is fun if it works well. I am glad I eliminated my least favorite part: grading labs. Oh well, dinner time is nigh.
I had big plans for BIO 101 this semester but it turned into a cruddy lecture-filled mess. I feel like I was more successful with last year's debacle. Of course I was shocked that three signed up for 102 in the Spring. I thought that no one would be that masochistic. I am relieved however.
Ever since I realized that lecture is a poor way to teach, I feel like I am short-changing my students. I have begun reading another "what is wrong with college today" book called Academically adrift. They argue that students are completing their first two years and even four years of college without being able to think critically, reason, and write effectively.
My big worry is that I will start up the grand plan, stress myself out and ruin Spring semester. This happens over every break. I make a list of things I want to do and then only accomplish a third. Why do I get so ambitious?
I have two Bio 103 classes next semester. I hope I have more than a 30% C or better rate than I did this semester. I start with a full class then by midterm one-third are gone and then they start to disappear. I keep hearing "where did everybody go?" Spring semester is not the best for retention, especially when warmer temperatures arrive and outside looks inviting.
Of course my big plan is to go PBL which would, in my mind, be a far richer and more lasting educational experience than what I am doing now. I've thought of three units for it so far that touch all the major concepts of biology: milk, malaria, and melanoma. I might add a missed miscellany as the fourth M. The part of teaching I love the most is the planning. The delivery is fun if it works well. I am glad I eliminated my least favorite part: grading labs. Oh well, dinner time is nigh.
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