I have always thought that if the good faculty I know shared more of their practices and hopes, I would not be needed in my work as an “instructional designer.” I think that the 9x9x25 allowed us to progress in small steps toward a better practice of teaching, toward learning more from each other, and toward a better way to learn than one hour workshops. Some wrote. Some read. Some talked in offices. It didn’t matter that much where or how, but it mattered that some talk happened that may not have happened otherwise. And I think it is important to add to those shared conversations, those conversations the writers have with themselves as they write. In their homes late at night or in a quiet office. That inner conversation about why we do what we do, is important.
And I am always inspired by the faculty who rose up to meet the challenge! Many, year after year! Strangely, it is hard work to get faculty to write about the work they do. It really is a challenge. I have been attending yoga classes a few times a week for about a year. Yoga is different than running. Running is different than biking. But for me, they all have some very similar elements that I know are good for me. Time to think or just be. Time to wonder and think without common distractions. A little physical exercise and some endorphins. Some good music or some nice quiet time. All these things part of each practice, and part of making the effort to get there and do it. I always feel better for having practiced. Writing is no different. You have to get up and go do it.
It is cool to hear the practice among so many awesome faculty and staff continues. In September of 2013, this is what we hoped for the 9x9x25. Some of it came true! I wish I had five years of pictures.
We had big dreams. Big challenges.
[slideshare id=43915611&doc=itc9x9x25-150126140423-conversion-gate01]
It has been a hard sell here in Washington to get faculty at an R1 university to write short “blog” posts about teaching and learning. But progress is being made.
I will be leading a cohort of faculty this fall with the intent of the faculty developing their own domain. I am leaving it open as to how they wish to use the site they create, but I will do my best to help them see the value of sharing their ideas about learning and teaching with their colleagues. Some of my best memories at Yavapai were the conversations about the use of the internet and why owning a little corner of it might be useful.
I still struggle with the use of the LMS as the only option for web-based learning activities and the need and challenge of faculty developing a broader skillset and vision of the internet as a possibility in educational settings. We have practiced a long-time using email, spreadsheets, and the LMS du jour. As usual, it will take a long time to unlearn those behaviors and beliefs and become skilled at whatever comes next. Surly, something is coming.
Whatever it is, we should go out and look for it, and maybe meet it before it arrives.
And that is 32 sentences. Just eight more weeks and eight more posts to go 🙂 Or something.