A Free Man

Yesterday I gave my last lecture for the course I’ve been teaching and finished up the final practical session. It’s all over from a teaching perspective, though a pile of administrative muck and grading is slowly taking over my desk. But the bulk of the actual teaching is done and with that A Free Man breathes a deep sigh of relief.

I actually really enjoy teaching. I’ve been teaching undergraduates intermittently for a decade now, and I always enjoy it. I am a bit odd in that I have no anxiety when it comes to public speaking. Before a lecture, which is more or less a performance, my heart races a bit, but this is a pleasant kind of agitation - similar to the effects of some of the controlled substances that I’ve indulged in at various times in my life. And that analogy carries over into the actual presentation. If it goes well, I get a buzz from it and feed off of the energy to keep going. Where I struggle is in one-on-one conversations or small group situations. These are where my social anxiety rears up and often strikes me dumb or renders my mouth capable of spewing only Lewis Carroll-esque jibberish.

At any rate, we were talking about teaching. This course was the first one that I have been solely in charge of from start to finish, which presented more challenges than what I’m used to in teaching. In the past I’ve just turned up, given a lecture and then passed any problems up the chain of command. Being at the top of the chain makes things a bit less enjoyable. Nonetheless, it’s all done but the counting. So, if you’ll allow me a little self-examination, I thought I would grade my own performance. Here is my report card for the term:

1. Contract extension - check. And a fat one. A+
2. Student success. Final marks are not in yet, so I can’t really evaluate how the kids have done. About 10% of them are at risk of failing which, to a certain extent, represents some degree of failure by me. But most of them have exceeded my expectations thus far. The exam is designed to separate the wheat from the chaff, so we’ll see. For now, an Incomplete.
3. Student evaluations of teaching. I think this is the best measure or my performance. Behind the veil of anonymity, my charges get to turn the table and grade me as a lecturer. Not all the responses are in, but so far they’ve given me a solid B. I score well on the boring things like making course objectives clear, helping them develop understanding of concepts and showing a genuine interest in their success. And, surprisingly, using up to date lecturing and teaching methods. Really? Standing up and talking at them for three hours a week while struggling to figure out how to work the projector is high tech? My worst score? “The staff member made the subject matter interesting.” Bastards. You try and make Genetics interesting.

So, overall I guess I would give myself a solid B (Distinction for Aussie readers and I never did figure out the byzantine British marking system). A job done.
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Speaking of jobs, I’ve got one for any Wordpress geeks out there. I’ve begun to feel that A Free Man needs a makeover. I’m a bit tired of using standard templates and would like to fanny the place up a bit. Now, thanks to BlogHer, that the site is self-supporting I’m hoping that someone out there might could give me a hand with this. If you’re a design person, or know a design person, shoot me an e-mail chris (at) afreeman (dot) org and maybe we can work something out. People who would be willing to be paid in kangaroo scrotum coin purses and clip on koala bears are particularly welcome.

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Finally, I’m sure you’re either going to vote or not and you’ve already decided for whom to vote. You’ll get no campaign spiel from me. But, Wilco and Fleet Foxes are giving away their live cover of Bob Dylan’s I Shall Be Released in support of getting out the vote today. Download the cover here and don’t forget to vote. And vote for Obama. If you don’t like Obama, do me a favor and stay home. (OK, I lied about the spiel. I’m also violating my no advertising for the major labels rule as well. What are you gonna do about it?).

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