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The Hybrid Experiment

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I spent the day preparing the course I am teaching. It's a hybrid, with online content constituting half the course.

That is a positive thing, considering last semester. It's already known that I need at least one more eye surgery, maybe more, and one internal surgery. Both of these can be done out-patient and are relatively minor. (Minor if you like having your eye scrapped with sandpaper.)

With these things in mind, and the miscellaneous emergencies last semester, I have completed most of the handouts and homework assignment sheets for the upcoming course. If/when I am medically indisposed, a situation which I seem predisposed, the homework schedule can be maintained. That's the joy of an online course.

I am going to supplement the course with podcasts and screencasts, giving demonstrations of basic tasks so students can review the lecture concepts. This is going to be quite the adventure. The recorded materials can also become part of my portfolio. Yes, I'm planning ahead.

Last semester was rocky -- one of my most difficult semesters ever. I am hoping things go more smoothly this semester.
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