Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
I had my first class yesterday in the 1/4 in person, 3/4 online format. Took a long time setting up, logging on, tuning shit, and all. It'll doubtless get faster/better, but, holy crap, it was hard to pay attention to the Zoom people. A big problem is that my monitor is well below eye level, so you have to specifically break eye contact with those in the room. As well, my monitor also has Powerpoint running, so that gobbles up screen real estate. A monitor descending from the ceiling by the camera dedicated to Zoom would be much, much better for catching the eye if raises their hand or types something in the chat. So my TA, whose sole job will be to monitor Zoom and signal me if anything arises, will be crucial.
That said, it felt good to be in a room with people, even if it was just yakking about the syllabus. I was totally fine lecturing from home, sitting in a comfy chair and having cats wander by, but being with actual people is better.
That said, it felt good to be in a room with people, even if it was just yakking about the syllabus. I was totally fine lecturing from home, sitting in a comfy chair and having cats wander by, but being with actual people is better.
"Ain't no party like an S Club party!'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
Glad to know it went well. That has to be awkward though, trying to engage people both in person and on zoom. I'm sure you handled it well. You should let us sit in on your class...wait, you should have us as special guests one day.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 8:33amI had my first class yesterday in the 1/4 in person, 3/4 online format. Took a long time setting up, logging on, tuning shit, and all. It'll doubtless get faster/better, but, holy crap, it was hard to pay attention to the Zoom people. A big problem is that my monitor is well below eye level, so you have to specifically break eye contact with those in the room. As well, my monitor also has Powerpoint running, so that gobbles up screen real estate. A monitor descending from the ceiling by the camera dedicated to Zoom would be much, much better for catching the eye if raises their hand or types something in the chat. So my TA, whose sole job will be to monitor Zoom and signal me if anything arises, will be crucial.
That said, it felt good to be in a room with people, even if it was just yakking about the syllabus. I was totally fine lecturing from home, sitting in a comfy chair and having cats wander by, but being with actual people is better.
Got a Rake? Sure!
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
- Dr. Medulla
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- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
If anyone legit wanted to eavesdrop on a lecture, I’d be fine, but I can’t imagine why if you weren’t paying for it!JennyB wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 9:30amGlad to know it went well. That has to be awkward though, trying to engage people both in person and on zoom. I'm sure you handled it well. You should let us sit in on your class...wait, you should have us as special guests one day.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 8:33amI had my first class yesterday in the 1/4 in person, 3/4 online format. Took a long time setting up, logging on, tuning shit, and all. It'll doubtless get faster/better, but, holy crap, it was hard to pay attention to the Zoom people. A big problem is that my monitor is well below eye level, so you have to specifically break eye contact with those in the room. As well, my monitor also has Powerpoint running, so that gobbles up screen real estate. A monitor descending from the ceiling by the camera dedicated to Zoom would be much, much better for catching the eye if raises their hand or types something in the chat. So my TA, whose sole job will be to monitor Zoom and signal me if anything arises, will be crucial.
That said, it felt good to be in a room with people, even if it was just yakking about the syllabus. I was totally fine lecturing from home, sitting in a comfy chair and having cats wander by, but being with actual people is better.
"Ain't no party like an S Club party!'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
It would be interesting!Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 9:50amIf anyone legit wanted to eavesdrop on a lecture, I’d be fine, but I can’t imagine why if you weren’t paying for it!JennyB wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 9:30amGlad to know it went well. That has to be awkward though, trying to engage people both in person and on zoom. I'm sure you handled it well. You should let us sit in on your class...wait, you should have us as special guests one day.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 8:33amI had my first class yesterday in the 1/4 in person, 3/4 online format. Took a long time setting up, logging on, tuning shit, and all. It'll doubtless get faster/better, but, holy crap, it was hard to pay attention to the Zoom people. A big problem is that my monitor is well below eye level, so you have to specifically break eye contact with those in the room. As well, my monitor also has Powerpoint running, so that gobbles up screen real estate. A monitor descending from the ceiling by the camera dedicated to Zoom would be much, much better for catching the eye if raises their hand or types something in the chat. So my TA, whose sole job will be to monitor Zoom and signal me if anything arises, will be crucial.
That said, it felt good to be in a room with people, even if it was just yakking about the syllabus. I was totally fine lecturing from home, sitting in a comfy chair and having cats wander by, but being with actual people is better.
Got a Rake? Sure!
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
Hello,Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 9:50amIf anyone legit wanted to eavesdrop on a lecture, I’d be fine, but I can’t imagine why if you weren’t paying for it!JennyB wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 9:30amGlad to know it went well. That has to be awkward though, trying to engage people both in person and on zoom. I'm sure you handled it well. You should let us sit in on your class...wait, you should have us as special guests one day.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 8:33amI had my first class yesterday in the 1/4 in person, 3/4 online format. Took a long time setting up, logging on, tuning shit, and all. It'll doubtless get faster/better, but, holy crap, it was hard to pay attention to the Zoom people. A big problem is that my monitor is well below eye level, so you have to specifically break eye contact with those in the room. As well, my monitor also has Powerpoint running, so that gobbles up screen real estate. A monitor descending from the ceiling by the camera dedicated to Zoom would be much, much better for catching the eye if raises their hand or types something in the chat. So my TA, whose sole job will be to monitor Zoom and signal me if anything arises, will be crucial.
That said, it felt good to be in a room with people, even if it was just yakking about the syllabus. I was totally fine lecturing from home, sitting in a comfy chair and having cats wander by, but being with actual people is better.
Thus far, we're all in face-to-face here. Students have been more engaged (again, thus far) than previously. I get more questions, more answers when I ask questions, more note-taking, and more participation overall. Some of the upper-classmen/women seem to appreciate being in class with others more than pre-pandemic. I will continue to be the eternal optimist.
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116701
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
I, too, am an eternal optimist—I know I can't reach everyone, but I always assume it's possible—but we'll see once lectures get underway next week.gkbill wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 10:22amHello,Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 9:50amIf anyone legit wanted to eavesdrop on a lecture, I’d be fine, but I can’t imagine why if you weren’t paying for it!JennyB wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 9:30amGlad to know it went well. That has to be awkward though, trying to engage people both in person and on zoom. I'm sure you handled it well. You should let us sit in on your class...wait, you should have us as special guests one day.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑10 Sep 2021, 8:33amI had my first class yesterday in the 1/4 in person, 3/4 online format. Took a long time setting up, logging on, tuning shit, and all. It'll doubtless get faster/better, but, holy crap, it was hard to pay attention to the Zoom people. A big problem is that my monitor is well below eye level, so you have to specifically break eye contact with those in the room. As well, my monitor also has Powerpoint running, so that gobbles up screen real estate. A monitor descending from the ceiling by the camera dedicated to Zoom would be much, much better for catching the eye if raises their hand or types something in the chat. So my TA, whose sole job will be to monitor Zoom and signal me if anything arises, will be crucial.
That said, it felt good to be in a room with people, even if it was just yakking about the syllabus. I was totally fine lecturing from home, sitting in a comfy chair and having cats wander by, but being with actual people is better.
Thus far, we're all in face-to-face here. Students have been more engaged (again, thus far) than previously. I get more questions, more answers when I ask questions, more note-taking, and more participation overall. Some of the upper-classmen/women seem to appreciate being in class with others more than pre-pandemic. I will continue to be the eternal optimist.
"Ain't no party like an S Club party!'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116701
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
Grading book reviews this weekend and am depressed by the number of students who think it's inappropriate for a scholar to interpret lyrics because, well, the lyrics could mean anything and it's wrong that the author is imposing their view. Kinda helps explain how anti-vax bullshit gains traction if experts aren't allowed to express their opinions without it being tyranny.
"Ain't no party like an S Club party!'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
-
Silent Majority
- Singer-Songwriter Nancy
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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
Where'd this shit originate?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑24 Oct 2021, 9:17pmGrading book reviews this weekend and am depressed by the number of students who think it's inappropriate for a scholar to interpret lyrics because, well, the lyrics could mean anything and it's wrong that the author is imposing their view. Kinda helps explain how anti-vax bullshit gains traction if experts aren't allowed to express their opinions without it being tyranny.
Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
So were the students supposed to interpret the lyrics?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑24 Oct 2021, 9:17pmGrading book reviews this weekend and am depressed by the number of students who think it's inappropriate for a scholar to interpret lyrics because, well, the lyrics could mean anything and it's wrong that the author is imposing their view. Kinda helps explain how anti-vax bullshit gains traction if experts aren't allowed to express their opinions without it being tyranny.
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
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- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
One thing that I constantly battle against is students' inclination to criticize a writer for having a "bias." The writer has a feminist bias or a conservative bias or whatever. It's seemingly predicated on a notion that scholars have a duty to be objective, to present all sides of an issue, clap their hands, and walk away—ta da, a book! There's a perverse notion that having an opinion or perspective or philosophy means being unfair. But, in practice, it usually means "I didn't like what they said." They want their own perspective to be confirmed. (Students also complain about scholarly works where they come across strange new terms that they have to look up. Horrors! You mean you're … learning … something? In a university course?) It's fundamentally intellectual laziness.Silent Majority wrote: ↑25 Oct 2021, 9:08amWhere'd this shit originate?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑24 Oct 2021, 9:17pmGrading book reviews this weekend and am depressed by the number of students who think it's inappropriate for a scholar to interpret lyrics because, well, the lyrics could mean anything and it's wrong that the author is imposing their view. Kinda helps explain how anti-vax bullshit gains traction if experts aren't allowed to express their opinions without it being tyranny.
That's one possibility—the lyrics should be presented without commentary. Which means it's up to the reader. Why their interpretation would be valid but not someone who spent years researching and writing on the topic is a big unknown. One student thought that unless the writer of the lyrics was consulted, to provide the "true" meaning, it was improper to say anything.
"Ain't no party like an S Club party!'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
- Flex
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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
for any student wishing to learn the objectively correct meaning of any song lyrics, simply have them consult me, flex, and I'll tell 'em what's what.
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a bowl of soup
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a rolling hoop
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a ton of lead
Wiggle - you can raise the dead
Pex Lives!
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a rolling hoop
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a ton of lead
Wiggle - you can raise the dead
Pex Lives!
Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
Hello,Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑25 Oct 2021, 10:51amOne thing that I constantly battle against is students' inclination to criticize a writer for having a "bias." The writer has a feminist bias or a conservative bias or whatever. It's seemingly predicated on a notion that scholars have a duty to be objective, to present all sides of an issue, clap their hands, and walk away—ta da, a book! There's a perverse notion that having an opinion or perspective or philosophy means being unfair. But, in practice, it usually means "I didn't like what they said." They want their own perspective to be confirmed. (Students also complain about scholarly works where they come across strange new terms that they have to look up. Horrors! You mean you're … learning … something? In a university course?) It's fundamentally intellectual laziness.Silent Majority wrote: ↑25 Oct 2021, 9:08amWhere'd this shit originate?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑24 Oct 2021, 9:17pmGrading book reviews this weekend and am depressed by the number of students who think it's inappropriate for a scholar to interpret lyrics because, well, the lyrics could mean anything and it's wrong that the author is imposing their view. Kinda helps explain how anti-vax bullshit gains traction if experts aren't allowed to express their opinions without it being tyranny.
That's one possibility—the lyrics should be presented without commentary. Which means it's up to the reader. Why their interpretation would be valid but not someone who spent years researching and writing on the topic is a big unknown. One student thought that unless the writer of the lyrics was consulted, to provide the "true" meaning, it was improper to say anything.
I would ask the student which meaning has more value - the meaning the author ascribed to the lyrics or the meaning you ascribe to the lyrics?
- Dr. Medulla
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- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
Assuming I didn't achieve some kind of breakthrough with them, they'd say their opinion is as good as the scholar's, but both are inferior to the song's writer. But at least they aren't trying to impose their view on people like the scholar. It really does strike me as a kissing cousin of anti-vax/anti-expert faux populism. My opinion is as good as any so-called expert, so who are they to shove it down my throat?gkbill wrote: ↑25 Oct 2021, 11:14amHello,Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑25 Oct 2021, 10:51amOne thing that I constantly battle against is students' inclination to criticize a writer for having a "bias." The writer has a feminist bias or a conservative bias or whatever. It's seemingly predicated on a notion that scholars have a duty to be objective, to present all sides of an issue, clap their hands, and walk away—ta da, a book! There's a perverse notion that having an opinion or perspective or philosophy means being unfair. But, in practice, it usually means "I didn't like what they said." They want their own perspective to be confirmed. (Students also complain about scholarly works where they come across strange new terms that they have to look up. Horrors! You mean you're … learning … something? In a university course?) It's fundamentally intellectual laziness.Silent Majority wrote: ↑25 Oct 2021, 9:08amWhere'd this shit originate?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑24 Oct 2021, 9:17pmGrading book reviews this weekend and am depressed by the number of students who think it's inappropriate for a scholar to interpret lyrics because, well, the lyrics could mean anything and it's wrong that the author is imposing their view. Kinda helps explain how anti-vax bullshit gains traction if experts aren't allowed to express their opinions without it being tyranny.
That's one possibility—the lyrics should be presented without commentary. Which means it's up to the reader. Why their interpretation would be valid but not someone who spent years researching and writing on the topic is a big unknown. One student thought that unless the writer of the lyrics was consulted, to provide the "true" meaning, it was improper to say anything.
I would ask the student which meaning has more value - the meaning the author ascribed to the lyrics or the meaning you ascribe to the lyrics?
"Ain't no party like an S Club party!'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
Hello,Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑25 Oct 2021, 11:38amAssuming I didn't achieve some kind of breakthrough with them, they'd say their opinion is as good as the scholar's, but both are inferior to the song's writer. But at least they aren't trying to impose their view on people like the scholar. It really does strike me as a kissing cousin of anti-vax/anti-expert faux populism. My opinion is as good as any so-called expert, so who are they to shove it down my throat?gkbill wrote: ↑25 Oct 2021, 11:14amHello,Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑25 Oct 2021, 10:51amOne thing that I constantly battle against is students' inclination to criticize a writer for having a "bias." The writer has a feminist bias or a conservative bias or whatever. It's seemingly predicated on a notion that scholars have a duty to be objective, to present all sides of an issue, clap their hands, and walk away—ta da, a book! There's a perverse notion that having an opinion or perspective or philosophy means being unfair. But, in practice, it usually means "I didn't like what they said." They want their own perspective to be confirmed. (Students also complain about scholarly works where they come across strange new terms that they have to look up. Horrors! You mean you're … learning … something? In a university course?) It's fundamentally intellectual laziness.Silent Majority wrote: ↑25 Oct 2021, 9:08amWhere'd this shit originate?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑24 Oct 2021, 9:17pmGrading book reviews this weekend and am depressed by the number of students who think it's inappropriate for a scholar to interpret lyrics because, well, the lyrics could mean anything and it's wrong that the author is imposing their view. Kinda helps explain how anti-vax bullshit gains traction if experts aren't allowed to express their opinions without it being tyranny.
That's one possibility—the lyrics should be presented without commentary. Which means it's up to the reader. Why their interpretation would be valid but not someone who spent years researching and writing on the topic is a big unknown. One student thought that unless the writer of the lyrics was consulted, to provide the "true" meaning, it was improper to say anything.
I would ask the student which meaning has more value - the meaning the author ascribed to the lyrics or the meaning you ascribe to the lyrics?
The jump between science and art is where opinion and findings/results should realize their on separate buses. Too many think science is opinion. While opinions exist and have their role, the crux of science is findings. Tucker Carlson asking someone "What's your opinion of this study?" shouldn't come before "What do the findings of this study tell us?" - in fact, unless the study is poorly done and rejected by peer-review, should be an afterthought.
I think this is an interesting question on the topic: if I write a song that is meant to make people sad and reflective but it makes millions happy and feel good, have I failed?
- Dr. Medulla
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Re: Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School
To you, yes, you've failed to achieve the desired effect. To the listener whose spirits have been raised, you (or perhaps, more accurately, the song) succeeded. Because we all necessarily bring our own criteria to a text, which is why some cultural theorists argue that consumption is a productive act. We infuse meaning into the text everytime we read/watch/listen.
"Ain't no party like an S Club party!'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft