Electronics

I am very fortunate to be able to do my U work on-line.  I am thankful for that.  There are many folks who have no on-line option for their work during this time.

Yet, I must also say that on-line work is hard for a traditional professor/teacher.  It is difficult for the following reasons:

1.  A big part of the "energy" I get from being a professor is the actual "face-to-face" communication.

2.  Subtle detail and nuance is NOT a forte of electronic delivery of content.

3.  Computerized versions of most concepts is much more labor-intensive to SET UP, and to PREPARE for student's use.

4.  Grading of work and exams electronically is TREMENDOUSLY more laborious than other grading methods.

5.  While I work very diligently to get this new electronic content up to snuff... meaning I am building much of it from the ground up to TRY to be as rigorous, as insightful, as thought provoking, and as successful of a guide for getting students to think and reason about biology deeply..... I am NOT convinced that this electronic delivery IS as strong as face-to-face. 

I do have to keep trying to make my courses as good for the students as I can.  I keep worrying that I am falling far short of what I want them to have... and falling short of what I *could* provide for them face-to-face.  I want them to feel engaged. I want them to feel inspired. I want them to think and know things deeply.  But I fear that electronic delivery feels cold and sterile, and I fear that it may be only providing basic memorization/regurgitation of content even though I am trying to not have it be so. 

PipeTobacco