Last Class at Purdue... and a Ditz about Online Classes

Officially, I am no longer an instructor at Purdue University: I have taught my last class there! Finishing up with an online summer class - that is condensed, to say the least - is not my ideal way of leaving that part of my participation at Purdue. For someone who can find herself part actor, dancer, entertainer - while being a teacher - teaching online is crusty to say the least. There are only so many ways to show that I'm smiling and none to show that I am dancing!

For those of you who may have gasped, I don't literally dance in front of the class, although I have come close. To motivate 'my' students, many who were non-traditional or international students, I have tried various tactics to get them to look at me and trust me. Honestly, if I could stand up there and nearly dance around the room to show them my energy pouring out to them, couldn't they begin to trust me and speak... just a little? And to answer your question, yes, it worked.  The students were a joy, to say the least. Watching them slowly straighten their posture, look up, and engage was a huge reward!

Unlike f2f classes, teaching online is quiet. I can sit for hours in front of my computer and not hear anything coming from my online students. Yes, well, I don't really try, but you get my point.

So, I sadly say goodbye to five years of teaching f2f classes at Purdue, especially teaching second-language students. Teaching business writing to international students, working to engage them in their culture, others' culture, writing, etc. was the joy of my time at Purdue. And I say au revoir (only because of my distressing need to focus on my French!) to Purdue and gently finger that thin, single thread of connection to this great university - my dissertation.