Final Projects:

The last time I taught this class I neglected to comment on the final projects – which I think is important as a way of reflecting back on the process of this type of class. Whenever I teach project-based work there always comes a point in the term where I begin to doubt the process. Is it going anywhere? Is this class really just about fucking around? Why aren’t more students diving into the projects to create unique and interesting work? I must admit that this term felt a bit more like a struggle than in the past. There are likely a number of factors involved that have very little to do with the class. The class is mainly targeted at second year students. Their entire college experience has been in covid times and ducking in and out of the classroom and onto zoom. This really does not help with the conversation portion of the class. Beyond that there seems to be a reticence to offer opinions – as if there is a hesitation to not be wrong or not offend or upset anyone. There were really only a handful of times where I felt we had a robust discussion about the material – ironically one highlights is when we had a discussion about why it is so hard to have a discussion. Aside from all that – I do think the process works. I am always nervous about projects days – will the projects be interesting, will we have enough to discuss, are the questions posed allowing the students space to explore the material as well as learn from it? As always, there are pieces to get excited about – and yes – by the end of the term many students are presenting just wonderful material. Thoughtful, thought provoking, deep beyond what the surface implies. Even though we ended up presenting final projects on Zoom – all of this was true of both sections. I don’t believe that a class structured this way will get every student to the same level of understanding about the material – but allows them to build on their own skills and understanding and interests. Some will always resist, some merely go through the motions, but then there are students who completely get the possibilities of working this way and how the results can often be surprising and enlightening. I have no idea when or if I will teach this class again. The updates and additions were useful in diversifying the material, but it is probably time to tear the whole thing apart and rebuild from the ground up.