Dean Flake: will you teach a new class for us online?
Slave Adjunct: Sure!
Dean Flake: Ok, I'll upload the outline into your blackboard.
Slave Adjunct dutifully updates class info, syllabus, assignments etc.
Dean Flake: We are going to move to a newer worse version of Blackhole, you will need to request that your course be ported over.
Slave Adjunct: Ok!
Slave adjunct contacts tech support 6 weeks before the new term starts.
IT: cricket noise
Slave adjunct contacts tech support and faculty support 5 weeks before the new term starts.
IT: cricket noise
Faculty Support: Let me upload the wrong version of the class for you!
Slave Adjunct: "Dean Flake, I am having some trouble getting the correct class uploaded to Blackhole, can you help me?"
Dean Flake: "Let's worry about it after break!"
Two Weeks Pass
Slave Adjunct: "Dean Flake, I still haven't heard from IT, any idea when the class can be uploaded?"
Dean Flake: By next week for sure!
Email from Faculty Support: All classes must be ready for students this week!
Slave Adjunct grabs a drink.
Timebomb under the dean's desk.
ReplyDeleteor
Cut his brake lines.
I make sure to get to know the people in IT. Other faculty complain about "them," but I know their names, and speak to them regularly and it really helps.
ReplyDeleteHow does blackboard compare to moodle? Do your schools force you to use them or is it voluntary?
I have tried Moodle, found it cumbersome. I prefer blackboard but mostly because I am familiar with its oddities.
ReplyDelete