Hmmm...I don't think so

Old habits are hard to break.

And parents and educators are amongst the biggest resistors to change.  During my weekly follow ups with students and parents this became awfully evident. 


Parent: When will my child get their book, they have been in the course a month already?

Me: As we discussed when I called before this course does not have a print textbook, the materials are all online.
Parent: So I have to order it online?  I thought I paid for the class already.
Me:. No ma'am, its online in the course, your daughter can read it on the screen or download and print it if she chooses
Parent: how can I get a copy?
Me: well she can save a copy for you too, if you want to have your own.
Parent: well that's different.
Me: yes, online textbooks are pretty convenient, better for the environment and they save on shipping or returning the book.
Parent: well I know education is costing lost of money and I have heard that you all don't have enough books for students.  Perhaps after I print my copy I should send it back to you so you have one
Me: Hmmm....That's sweet of you to offer, but I don't think so.  I have my online version too.
Parent: OK, you let me know if you change your mind.  I know teacher's don't make much and you probably can't afford your own.

Now wasn't that sweet?

Racing my students

“Inspirations never go in for long engagements; they demand immediate marriage to action.”~Brendan Francis Behan


The race is on, the new term is afoot, and I am once again in third place.  Student A is on chapter 3 and student B is still not taking my calls.  Online has the capacity to excite, but excitement lasts about as long as a google rating for a page without content changes.  Constantly we E folk must provide new, more, different stimuli, or we lose our student quarry and must hunt them again.





Other people have a different approach, more of a correspondence course attitude-work is the student's responsibility.  I guess I'm just a spoonful of sugar kinda gal.   That said, my racing shoes are all laced up, and I am running and running.   

Gee I wish I had a magic umbrella.