Cupcake day

Today was one of those days when I must have amused a few bystanders with a particularly blank look on my face. Yes, sometimes even I am left speechless.

Midyear exams at our school take place this week. Students take 90-minute exams, up to two per day, according to when their classes meet, and the rest of the day is theirs to study and ours to correct. Most exams occur during those 90-minute slots, but part or all of some can be "take home" tasks which is what I do for my Creative Writing students. Eight days before their exam period I gave them pocket folders, a handout with eight interesting plot scenarios, and a task sheet asking for four pieces of writing to be both uploaded to a website that checks for originality and handed in as hard copy for written comments. The work was due at the start of the exam period so each student would be able to share all or a portion of one of their pieces, and the other students would listen and give analytical, thoughtful feedback as we've been doing all semester. That was the plan.

Eight of the sixteen needed to sign out a laptop to finish their work. One left all of his "stuff" at his dad's place. Two were "unaware" that hard copies needed to be handed in...despite holding the designated pocket folder in their hands. Yes, if you do the math, that leaves three prepared students. Funny how things fall apart when people don't do as they're asked. On to Plan B: everyone had 15 minutes to choose the piece they're going to read, decide what to ask their audience to focus on for feedback, and generally prepare for the workshop part of the exam period.

Fifteen minutes later the questions began: Where am I supposed to print this? I still can't login, so what do I do now? My file is at my house so how do I print it from that online place? Is it okay if I wrote about my own scenario that I made up rather than the ones you provided? I thought I'd upload these things tonight and get them to you tomorrow....that's okay, right?

In order: Where we've been printing them all semester. Put the laptop away and go to the Writing Lab to use a Mac to access your work. Login, find the uploaded file, copy, paste to a word processing document, double space it, and print it. No, it's not okay because the task I gave you is the basis on which you'll be graded. No, your exam time is now and this is when your work is due, so give me what you have and that's what will be graded.

Yikes!

What in the world were they thinking?

Of the three prepared students, two tried not to enjoy the folly around them, and one seemed annoyed that he couldn't read his work aloud right away. Of course we didn't have time to finish a reading by every student, but everyone did have ample opportunity to give feedback on the pieces that were read which was the real point of the workshop session and the aspect that I was evaluating. They'll get their graded work back on Monday, and those who hadn't had the opportunity to share their work and enjoy feedback from their peers will be able to do so then.

I truly didn't think that the gift of time would be squandered, the directions ignored, and the time frame set up by administration - and the same one that's been used for years, at that - rejected by so many of my students. It still boggles my mind which is why I'm writing about it.

I haven't yet looked at the work they submitted. A bit disheartened, I have a feeling that it's not their best...or the best for thirteen of them. The folders of the three prepared students will go to the bottom of the pile so I'll have them to anticipate with pleasure.

But first I think I'll make a batch of cupcakes and frost them liberally as a balance to today's fiasco.

#1 01/10

Of three days of travel this vacation, all three have been in bad weather....snow, to be exact. Driving in New Hampshire between Thanksgiving and May Day requires, for me anyway, snow tires and caution, the latter usually to avoid those who are unprepared or the foolhardy. So far, so good, and I plan to keep it that way as long as I can. Does that mean staying put and not venturing out? Not entirely because my job can't be accomplished from home (although that option exists in the virtual academy world), but I think I'd choose to get out and about now and then to feel the fresh air on my face and to enjoy stirring my blood. I'm glad to be alive and beginning a new calendar of days and months. There is no list of resolutions for the year, but there's always the sense of the new page, the turned leaf, the gift of another beginning. I hope to do good things in this upcoming year for others and for myself. Let the games begin!