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College professor here. Just finished my first day of “hybrid” teaching, where half (or a third) of the class is present, the rest watching online.
Safe in my office, the sauna pulled off my face — masked lecturing sucks, y’all — I have thoughts.
A THREAD
Safe in my office, the sauna pulled off my face — masked lecturing sucks, y’all — I have thoughts.
A THREAD
First, please know there’s no “right” answer to the situation we find ourselves in as educators. We’re starved out castaways, facing a shelf of rotten goods. We’re trying to make the least worst choice.
Second, the model we’re following at The Citadel probably wouldn’t work at most schools. It *might* work here given our military structure, assuming everyone on campus complies with all the rules and regulations.
And yeah, I got me some opinions on how maddening it is that we’re stuck with, well, ::waves hands at the world:: … but that’s beside the point just now. We are where we are.
Where are we? Well, here’s what it looked like for me today…
Where are we? Well, here’s what it looked like for me today…
I walk into the classroom. I sanitize everything I can. I attach my designated iPad to a robotic tracker called a SWIVL, which is on a tripod stand. I open up a few programs, click through some hoops, and put a microphone on.
Students coming into class are masked and spaced out. Students on-line are watching me through the iPad that the SWIVL rotates to follow me if I move around.
On the iPad itself is a Brady Bunch grid of the on-line students — essentially, a Zoom call. We adjust volumes so everything is clear despite my own mask.
Class begins.
Yeah, not ideal. But it’s *something*.
Class begins.
Yeah, not ideal. But it’s *something*.
I’ve been likening this to meeting someone who is going to hit you with a baseball bat. Not getting hit isn’t an option. But you’ve got a chance to choose where to take the blow.
Well, I’ve taken my first hit. If it helps anyone, here’s what I’ve learned so far.
Practice.
Well, I’ve taken my first hit. If it helps anyone, here’s what I’ve learned so far.
Practice.
You’ll need to practice setting up all this technology.
But more than that you’ll need to practice what it’s like to have two audiences with *very* different classroom experiences.
Watching a class isn’t remotely the same thing as being there.
But more than that you’ll need to practice what it’s like to have two audiences with *very* different classroom experiences.
Watching a class isn’t remotely the same thing as being there.
Problem: The SWIVL mostly keeps me in view, but it’s mostly a view from the side. So practice making moves to address the camera now and then to keep them engaged.
Problem: The microphone picks up what I say, but not what students in class say. So practice repeating student questions so the folks at home can hear them. I do this facing the camera, obviously.
Problem: The folks at home can’t raise their hands. Well, they can, but there’s no way to see them across the room. So practice having them unmute and asking for attention, which means building in “any questions?” moments.
Another thing you might want to practice is your take-down procedure. I have 10 minutes to get from one class to another two buildings away. This is what I need to do in that time. Practicing, it takes me 9 minutes with no interruptions.
Certain things will suck. Lecturing for a couple hours in a mask is weirdly exhausting. It really is like having a sauna strapped to your face. It’s exhausting for the students, too.
Teaching with a robot camera following your moves isn’t nearly as cool as it might sound, and watching a professor lecture online has to be like the worst streaming choice ever.
But this is where we are. This is what we have. So mostly just try to be patient with your students, your technology, and yourself.
And be safe. Don’t lick the doorknobs.
And be safe. Don’t lick the doorknobs.
Also, VOTE. And when you do, please don’t vote for the doorknob-licking party. /END
