Fringe Benefits (26th Jan 2012)
This academic year was different. I had atomised the first unit completely and was looking forward to the start of the academic year. Unfortunately, I started the year in a hospital bed and was off work for six weeks. This would normally be a disaster - you miss setting the tone for the year, you miss the early bonding with the students and they get used to you not being there.
However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It became an opportunity to test the system ... and it worked. The previous first year were good and worked well, but it took 10 weeks or so for the first student in that year to get a criterion complete. At the same time this year there were 35 pieces of work marked off from just one class! If you miss the first half-term you would expect worse results, not better.
Students can continue working even when their main lecturer is off since anyone who has a modicum of subject knowledge can look at ND Grades, see who is behind and the deal with the simpler tasks. The more complex questions and marking can be completed via the Internet or wait until the return.
This shows the effect of atomisation. It also shows that students can still achieve if the fat, ugly old man is not there to whinge at them. In fact, I was able to lie in my bed at home getting work marked off instead of being bored (sentence criminals to day-time TV and you could get rid of the police force).
There is another advantage, though. I can walk into the first class next academic year without any preparation or planning, no piles of handouts and a complete lack of stress. The schedule of work will be the same, the individualised learning will in place and the students will be able to complete work from the first class onwards. Teaching heaven.