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I just sent an email to my boss at the community college where I teach complaining for the first time that the staff in charge of technology in my classroom haven't maintained it so it works.
It's a big deal for me to confront something like this. As a veteran teacher I can usually make do and side step having to deal with this instructional tech department. It's been a mess for 3 years on my campus now, with 3 people getting fired, a new director coming in who hasn't mastered the machines she's in charge of, and departmental infighting over seniority.
It's been like an episode of the tv show The Office with workplace politics getting in the way of fixing stuff for all 3 years now.
But the classroom I teach in is supposed to broadcast my class to two other campuses simultaneously--all part of today's magic of "distance learning" in college teaching. Well, I couldn't even take attendance accurately from the class's start, much less teach. The system completely shut itself down 3 times during my class hour, taking the tech aides 10 minutes each time to restart it.
It's like driving a car that keeps stalling out before you can get anywhere.
Of course, today the students in the class emailed all of their complaints directed at me, the teacher, because I'm the one standing up in front. I went to my boss, and she said to email the instructional tech department even though it's such a mess.
STRESS, STRESS, STRESS, y'all! Yikes.
It's a big deal for me to confront something like this. As a veteran teacher I can usually make do and side step having to deal with this instructional tech department. It's been a mess for 3 years on my campus now, with 3 people getting fired, a new director coming in who hasn't mastered the machines she's in charge of, and departmental infighting over seniority.
It's been like an episode of the tv show The Office with workplace politics getting in the way of fixing stuff for all 3 years now.
But the classroom I teach in is supposed to broadcast my class to two other campuses simultaneously--all part of today's magic of "distance learning" in college teaching. Well, I couldn't even take attendance accurately from the class's start, much less teach. The system completely shut itself down 3 times during my class hour, taking the tech aides 10 minutes each time to restart it.
It's like driving a car that keeps stalling out before you can get anywhere.
Of course, today the students in the class emailed all of their complaints directed at me, the teacher, because I'm the one standing up in front. I went to my boss, and she said to email the instructional tech department even though it's such a mess.
STRESS, STRESS, STRESS, y'all! Yikes.
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My day...today...misplaced my debit card...didn't realize it until I got to the register after shopping to a full cart. Used a different debit card and pulled apart everything looking for missing debit card before I left parking lot. Got home, dropped keys. So now I have a missing debit card, missing keys. A full cartload to unload and put away. I got everything put away.Dumped purse for a...
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I don't really know how to label this but I having a rough week and I can't say it's one thing.... I have a lot on my plate which is nothing new and I try to cope in many positive ways and do but I still have my moments.My kids more so my daughters talk to me about everything which I know it's cause of comfort and we are close.... however I really struggle with the venting about their dad which...
But reality is, you can and will prevail
We got your back, front, sides, and prayers on your behalf that the evil ether gremlins get outta your way. And maybe email all students to direct all complaints directly to tech. That is how my uncle at a university asked it be done to keep politics out of the way and let him go directly to the complaints fro the system users. Not have to wait on red tape and forms that a prof or dean might remember to send him when they were irked enough.
He is at a branch campus, so it is small enoigh to "work".
Blessings and purrs against the Intergremlins
By the time Alexander Graham Bell died, he felt like developing telephone tech was his greatest crime against civilized humanity. I wonder what Charles Babbage would think if he had lived long enough to see his 21st century "Analytical Machines."
May your next episode of "E-Prof" be as amusing as, "The Office."
Hang in there, muji. Sounds like a Hades of a day. . .
Just an idea.
Hope they get it sorted fast!
Tomorrow being the end of the week I'll check to see if my complaint did anything more than get the production department head defensive. Whether maybe maintenance on the equipment might happen to improve my next broadcast class this coming Tuesday.
Not knowing what the heck will happen when you step in front of the cameras is stressful, let me tell you. Wish me luck.
If the IT equipment is not working, that is solely the responsibility of the IT Department. I know you as an extremely bright individual have covered your bases frontwards and backwards. You have contacted the IT Department as well as any other staff about this problem. Your bases are covered. Just go in there and teach your classes as the experienced Professor that you are. Your Professional experience combined with your faith will surely carry the day.
Even CEO's of major Corporations know that they can not handle every detail that goes on within a Corporation. CEO's delegate as well as the POTUS. They have to because they know that they are only one person and can not handle everything. Do what they do and what I do, spread the joy.
Thoughts of a Truck Driver!!!!
Which is probably the best thing anyway.
Positive vibes coming at you. . .
The problem's not resolved, but that's a good learning experience for me to keep in mind. Sometimes we're not the only ones afraid when there's a problem. Sometimes the person on the other end is, too.
I saw when I got home that I had an email from the IT woman in charge of it who's supposed to fix it but doesn't. I was pooped. I'd had a student who lost her 8 year old child come to me for a good cry after class, and I'd referred her to a good counselor. That seemed more important than wrangling with this IT woman who just makes more excuses every week.
But I will have to answer her email some time. Sigh.
I know I suffer major anxiety attacks just thinking about being in the IT gal's position in this. You couldn't pay me enough to get me into her shoes. I suspect your community college isn't paying the high end of the IT pay scale. . .
Gentle support while you ride it out, muji. Distance learning is a nice ideal whose time is not as solidly here as we keep wishing for.
Wish I had more to offer, but I'm with Arfie. In your shoes or the IT person's, I'm freaking out... Yech.