COVID-19 KICK-ASS

So, I’ve had a very busy nine months in my teaching due to the pandemic. Like many, I moved to online teaching in early March. And, since that time, have developed several online classes. This shift has meant a completely new way of thinking about teaching content, a new set of assignments, a new software platform for course materials, and a new, entirely digital manner of grading. New, new, new!

But with all of this newness came—in addition to a LOT of hard work--some unexpected and welcomed benefits. I’ll name a few here:

· the twice-weekly discussion boards allow quieter students to shine and all students to participate in building class community and consensus

· the platform creates greater course transparency and my commentary is accessible over the span of the semester

· the content is more diverse and incorporates a greater number of short video lectures, “how-to” presentations, gallery websites, artist interviews, and documentaries

· the assignments are now specifically geared to enhance my students’ professional studio practices and their buy-in to these activities has increased

· the asynchronous—no set meeting time—has freed up student’s schedule to spend more time during the day in the studio

I am scheduled to continue working online in 2021.

At this point, I am beginning to turn my attention to a “re-boot” of my professional presence. Stay tuned.