Getting ready for the Spring term. I am teaching a couple of classes. One is a repeat (Intro to Human Geography) and the other hasn't been taught since 2008 (Geography of Water).
For the Water class, I have to re-work some things. New edition of the textbook and some new ideas for class itself. I hope to do some group-based work as well as the usual " bring people up to speed" with concepts and ideas. The class is a 200 level class and I know I have some repeat students. This is always nice as those kids know the ropes of my style of teaching and also can get the class off to a comfortable start.
Other stuff going on for me inside of the College:
Working on a search committee for a new hire in -- this is exciting stuff as we have a GREAT pool. We're moving on in the search in the next week or so. I think the hire could change my teaching at the College (it depends on who we hire). I am scheduled to teach WITH the person next year but it could be that some of the more physical geography elements of my water class get moved into one of the new person's classes. Interesting times.
I went to a great workshop yesterday -- a teaching technology thing. There's so much to learn. I cling, though, to the idea that to a person with a hammer everything might look like a nail.... I try to learn stuff but only use it when it actually works for me.
Good Spring to all!