Welcome to The Spaces in Between, a weekly newsletter on culture, language, and technology written by Stephan Caspar. If you’re new here, then welcome, feel free to subscribe.
Time flies by in America and I opened substack last night wondering if I had missed a week or forgotten to post, and reading through the last issue as I tend to do before writing, felt like it had been written by someone else. Perhaps this is a measure of what a heads-down week it has been, preparing for courses, striving to meet deadlines for papers I’ve promised to people, all between helping my boys with their school work and zipping off at lunchtime to get their lunches from school.
A few bags of nuggets and a couple of dry cheeseburgers wasn’t the only thing I picked up this week. I’m sitting here sniveling with a cold, no it’s okay - just a runny nose and the sneezles but with all the precautions that I’ve been taking it seems a bit frustrating that I’ve caught something. I went to the dentist on Monday, perhaps that was it.
It has been a troubling week back home where we’ve had concerns about a close family member in care. Everything is okay and we had a lovely facetime call, but it is naturally, praying on our minds.
Especially, as I mentioned last week, the edges between home and work blur, it is noticeable that I’m tense in meetings and haven’t enjoyed the usual sparring of collaboration, sometimes taking things personally when it’s clearly not meant that way.
In this issue, I promised to get back to teaching and learning and talk through some of my preparation and things that are on my mind. Here we go.
Stephan
Teaching & Learning
I have two courses coming up, the second run of Language Learning & Technology and a new course jointly taught with colleagues in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, exploring Sport, Culture, Conflict, and VR. This second one may sound a bit like a stitched-together platypus but is actually inspired by some of the great work that has been taking place in museums, galleries, and exhibition spaces that aim to use new immersive technologies to tell stories and engage visitors. We landed on sport as a great way to explore issues of human rights, discrimination, racism, gender politics, that often divide or unite, and looking forward to seeing how the students respond to the projects we have planned for them.
I’ve made some changes to the LangTech course as it is in shorthand, and have been sending out a few emails inviting guest speakers to join us and share their work with the group. I loved teaching this course last year, which felt like a rollercoaster ride through the world of EdTech and Technology-enhanced Learning, talking about a range of subjects, from blended learning, the creation of online courses, to the platforms and apps that teachers use in schools and the race to improve digital literacy.
Thoughts are already turning to the summer and the courses that I’ll be teaching. I find it unlikely that we’ll be traveling and attending conferences and meeting people. I have half a hope that there may be some face-to-face teaching towards the end of the summer and I’ve volunteered for some outreach projects with local schools in the Pittsburgh area.
All this depends on vaccines and although there’s a rumor that teachers might be further up the queue behind front-line workers and the elderly, there are delays and reports of shortages that are disrupting the timeline for distribution. Fingers crossed.
Life Lessons
Not much time to reflect or contemplate, even as I sit here typing late at night my thoughts are going to bed and reading the newspaper, dropping off before I reach the end of the story.
I have spent a little more time these past weeks looking after myself, which is a good thing surely? I splurged on an Apple Watch 3 (on offer at BestBuy) and have enjoyed the game of closing the rings and enjoyed the fitness videos that are free for the first three months of purchase. I do a bit of HIIT, some core work (stop sniggering at the back), and either Yoga or a mindful cooldown.
We also have a subscription to Headspace through work, and I recommend a few minutes, taking some time out, to my students. You can even meditate with Kevin Hart. Certainly, it seems to be working for me and is helping me take on life’s battles.
Of course, the crowning glory has been a new standing desk, which is ace and if you’re thinking of doing it, it might be worth exploring options. I have a feeling that most companies will now pay or subsidize the cost for those of us working remotely. There isn’t really much evidence to suggest huge benefits, but I was suffering from an ache that is no longer there, that’s all I know.
Lost and Found
So a few things for you.
I have been using padlet for some time and a colleague recommended dotstorming which has had quite a dramatic makeover that has taken it from slightly bland and utilitarian frog to shining web-friendly prince. I haven’t got a gold plan, so I’m limited to one board on and off, and I already have a padlet subscription, but if they keep making improvements, then I might jump across. Again, wish that costs were slightly lower during this continued stay-at-home period.
One company that has extended their offers during lockdown is Affinity who has extended their 50% off deal and 90-day trial (I don’t get anything for mentioning this and not affiliated in any way). They have a suite of photo, design, and publishing tools that are industry-leading, and I’ve seen so many students using them and taking advantage of the pay-once model.
I’ve noticed a few language teachers using Flippity which neatly converts google spreadsheets into flashcards, word games, randomizers, and more. If you’re in a hurry there’s a page on the website where you can build activities, or that your students can build them as part of their session.
There are 42 students in one of my classes, so there will rows of tiny boxes on the screen. I decided to extend my desktop using an iPad with Sidecar, but I worry that it might not look like I’m talking directly to the students through the webcam. Something to fiddle with. Some good hints and tips in this video.
There’s a call for the 8th International Conference on the Development and Assessment of Intercultural Competence which will take place in January 2022 and feature a few of my colleagues and will bring together educators and researchers from across the country. I will try and send something in.
A thoughtful reminder of The Importance of Being Anti-Fascist in The Nation.
Thank you
Looking forward to the weekend, aren’t we all. Everything settles into place when you have the students back and hoping the muscle memory will kick in and get to enjoy the conversation and discussion of teaching. I have a few ideas to try, as always we will make things, and are excited to see what they’ll be.
I wrote to Laura Marling this week as she likes receiving letters. Her Union Chapel Livestream is up again and well worth a listen. It is fun to write to someone that you don’t really know, I kept it short and told her that I very much enjoy her music.
A few books and arty bits arrived in the post, so I have that to look forward to over the weekend. I think it is good to order a few items regularly during lockdown so that you have those little moments when a parcel arrives, something to unwrap or open up and read. I am determined to shop locally when I can but love finding makers online. I had hoped to purchase a new mug from Melissa Weiss’ pottery shop, a proper treat, but her batch was sold out in seconds. I know some of these things are expensive, but they are one of a kind, handmade and beautifully crafted (and the cost still probably doesn’t involve much profit for the maker), but go on, you’re doing a good thing.
So, thank you for reading, please leave a comment or let me know what you’re up to. Next week will be tough, but fun, for sure.