Last week we began our first FIT college-wide tutorial session on BlackBoard Collaborative Ultra. About 110 FIT faculty members logged on to learn from Jose, our tutor. It took an hour exactly, which pleased everyone who joined for the long haul. In a way, this crisis has developed a new community I had never experienced before, deciding years ago to maintain my six feet of social media and technology distancing.
All of a sudden, the chat sidebar was full of questions with several faculty members offering answers, even though Jose had asked to hold all questions until the end. We are an impatient bunch. At one point, when we were learning the pros and cons of taking attendance, Jose said that roll call only works if you can see your students, as some may wander from the screen to text their friends during your lecture, just as they do in class, mind you. Seeing their faces when you call out their names, ensures that grandma is not sitting in front of their screen, having been bribed with a roll of toilet paper. Jose stated that it’s a good idea to visually check in. Although a report is generated listing all students when they log on and off, it doesn’t report if they left their screen or not. So, Jose made sure we were aware that we should check in to see who’s watching. Make sure you can see them. But if you can see them, they can see you. At which point a faculty member typed in the chat box, “…and make sure you’re wearing pants!” Advice probably to some of our more senior faculty members.
In the Interior Design Department at FIT I coordinate several courses for other faculty members. Some admitted to being overwhelmed by all the distance learning platform options and the flurry of emails from the college about what is happening today, which contradicts what they said yesterday and will be clarified with another email tomorrow. “Just tell me what to do!” one pleaded. I don’t envy the college administration, but it is frustrating to get so many long emails to process, then as soon as you do, another one comes the next day, stating a new, different or better way to connect with your students.
I spoke with another faculty member to say that although this is challenging, I’m rising to the occasion. This will certainly change how I communicate with my students in the future. If it were not for the virus, many senior professors, especially those with tenure, would opt-out and stick to their usual lecturing style, even if it no longer connects with their Millennial students. At a Faculty Senate Curriculum Assessment meeting earlier in the semester, a professor stated the three things students have issues with: being forced to memorize dates, historical events and timelines; not enough critical thinking in the curriculum; and faculty not knowing or using technology. I’m sure it’s very stressful for some faculty who may have very limited technological skills, not to mention financial resources, to be replaced by younger more tech savvy faculty members. I’ll be there soon enough, but until then, I look forward to the challenges that await.
I’ll keep you posted and you join a new online community if you haven’t already. Stay connected.
