This article, (also here) from the Chronicle of Higher Education, serves as a good portrait of the issues, attitudes, and atmosphere on campuses right now. I’m very impressed by the many angles it covers. This is one to be included on the “2020/COVID-19 History” course to be taught to leadership folks in decades to come.

This is such a horrible experiment, but will absolutely teach so many of us so many valuable lessons about untenable situations, no-win decision-making, etc.

And surely there will be one about the compressing of 15-wk terms and the cost to students in learning effectiveness.  I never understood the idea of “being nimble” because we could “pivot” more easily with shorter terms.  And I’m seeing the exact opposite; students being forced to take 2-3 days to pack/move finding those 2-3 days are equal to a week of material. [not intended as a rant, but just one more thing that’s confused me throughout this.]

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While yesterday’s (and the week’s, in general) classes went well, I think I’ve hit a wall re speed-of-curriculum. I assigned a homework that required understanding of something I’ve not properly presented–and didn’t even realize I’d made that assignment.

Thankfully, a student wrote me, confused and requesting help, about an hour after class finished. So I pulled the assignment;

And I spent time with her online, able to get her clear on this material in less than 30′. But that’s 30′ I need to spend with all of the students…another series of video to make, I guess. Just the hope that they’ll access them so that we can keep up a good pace. After Monday’s class, we’ll be 50% done with the term, so I really just don’t know what’s sustainable here. But at least this weekend, I’ll keep trying to move it along.

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And remembering an enormous influence on so many–Charlie Parker.

And just out, this documentary about amazing saxophonist George Coleman, Jr.