The University decided to extend the semester by two weeks, but only gave professors and students a week notice before doing so. Of course we can rearrange schedules, but seeing as evaluations were already scheduled and in some cases, concluding, we decided to use the last two days of class to implement a project we had planned in January.
As a department we thought it was important to show students the importance of 'creating' and maintaining a learning environment. We thought our students would take better care of the space if they helped to create it. We put aside two days to scrub the classroom to a level of cleanliness that Mr.Clean would be impressed by. We also had students create visuals and posters to implement material development practices that they had learned in their methodology class. Additionally the project gave the two classes (second and third year) a chance to collaborate and work together.
The project went even better than I had expected. Most of our students showed up to participate and the classroom looks like an entirely different space. It's amazing how far a little TLC can go. The students seemed to really enjoy the experience, and I know we, as a department, had an amazing time. It'll be exciting to see how we as the English department and the students continue to develop the space. We have the goal of creating a learning station with reading materials, music, and notices and news.
Fingers crossed.
