The prepping thread

[arcturus]

I have updated assignment due dates and fixed the annoying out-of-order pages in the first reading assignment [this is fixing a publishers error, not my own]. I have posted the slides for the first class meeting (with updated dates/times for class meetings and assignments). I have consulted with the instructor of the other class that is in common for all of the students in my class and we have agreed on staggered dates for our exams and major project deadlines. This latter will not eliminate the stress for our students, but will avoid the (sometimes) overwhelming stress of having two major things due on the same day. I will need to check through my notes and update a few things in the readings, but otherwise I am mostly ready for the start of the semester, as most of the moving parts cannot be moved until I know which projects students will choose to complete.

[spork]

I'm done. Now I'm going to do yoga.

[the_geneticist]

I have one class that I've taught online 3 times before.  It's an "upload and customize the due dates" prep for that class.
And one brand new lab that I've not taught online before.  The basic structure is done, syllabus written, and most of the materials are collected.  But it will require a lot more "brain space" as labs never go quite as intended the first time through, even in person.  It will be an adventure!
Thankfully, I do have some lab modules as an emergency back up plan just in case the new stuff is a total flop.

[wellfleet]

Since I can see via the LMS stats that 1/3 of my students who will start tomorrow morning haven't yet visited the site, I've just sent a welcome email with the Zoom link. Onward!

[the_geneticist]

Since I can see via the LMS stats that 1/3 of my students who will start tomorrow morning haven't yet visited the site, I've just sent a welcome email with the Zoom link. Onward!

That means that 2/3 of your students are working ahead!  I'd call that a victory!

[dr_codex]

Since I can see via the LMS stats that 1/3 of my students who will start tomorrow morning haven't yet visited the site, I've just sent a welcome email with the Zoom link. Onward!

That means that 2/3 of your students are working ahead!  I'd call that a victory!

Me, too!

If I want students to do anything other than show up (or log on) on day 1, I have to send them detailed instructions in advance. I did that a week ago for my Capstone course, and will be curious to see who has done anything. In my students' defense, many of them have high-stakes professional exams all next week, and they would be foolish to do almost anything else. Basic hygiene excepted.

I don't plan to send anything in advance for my many, many Freshmen. They expect to be slow walked through the syllabus on the first day, so that's what we'll do.

Capstone is virtually prepped. Freshman course needs some love, in part because of changes to course delivery and to the calendar. I have a week, which should be plenty.

[wellfleet]

That means that 2/3 of your students are working ahead!  I'd call that a victory!

Oh, yes. But they're graduate students in an accelerated professional program & Monday is the very first day. Had it been one of our other three starts this year, more than two-thirds would be working ahead, but the holidays cuts down on that a bit. Plus, for many, the difficulties of moving house during the holidays & covid. 

I spent the rest of my life teaching undergrads, so I'm particularly appreciative of these folks.

[nonsensical]

How are people doing with prep now that most schools' semesters have started? I just finished revising three lectures (one module of this course) and am feeling accomplished.

[evil_physics_witchcraft]

I just graded about 40 lab reports today, had two student meetings and other things. I'm tired. I'm still prepping ahead (most content was created last semester, so that's something).

[dr_codex]

This is always when I bog down. The grading comes in, and I'm constantly playing catch up with my prep. The fact that I'm juggling delivery formats does not help -- handouts and worksheets that I would use in non-pandemic classes are not ideal for Zoom sessions.

It doesn't help that this is when my students start skimping on prep, too, while focusing on some high-stakes midterms in their professional courses. It's rational behavior, and I don't judge them for it, but it does mean that I need to do more of the lifting.