Thread: DVA Reorganization

Originally Posted by Naiya

Seeker: I'm on the fence about that. On the one hand, I'd like to keep it completely open. On the other hand I want to have some way to keep the badges for finishing classes because I think it's a really neat idea. Personally I liked having a smaller class because I felt like the students got to know each other more and it was easy for me to interact with every single person in the class and help them inidividually. On the other hand, I don't like DVA being so restrictive about letting people into classes.

I feel the same way. I hope we come up with some kind of means for compromise. I know I'll sound a little bit like a broken record, but if/when we get more professors to teach classes there will be less issues revolving around how many people can get into a class.

Originally Posted by Robot_Butler

Great ideas How have the classes gone, so far? Have people been committed, shown up to the lectures, and completed the homework?

From what I've seen, yes. The only short coming I've seen with the program student wise, is people coming to classes a little late. Other than that, it's been good on other areas such as helping boost IRC chat numbers from time to time.

Yeah more professors is a big one, that would make things a ton easier.

It sounds like a good thing to do might be to have a "professors workshop". I would be willing to bet there are at least some people who might be good at being a professor and enjoy it, but are not confident enough. If we had a class to sort of get potential professors up to speed in the same format that DVA classes are held in, then it would not only get them to be more confident about the material but also how they would be teaching in general.

I would like to do something in DVA...I just don't know what exactly. I don't really have the time to be a professor and my availability changes too much.

Originally Posted by Xaqaria

It sounds like a good thing to do might be to have a "professors workshop". I would be willing to bet there are at least some people who might be good at being a professor and enjoy it, but are not confident enough. If we had a class to sort of get potential professors up to speed in the same format that DVA classes are held in, then it would not only get them to be more confident about the material but also how they would be teaching in general.

This is a good idea. I'd love to be a professor but I'm also not really confident about teaching a class. I had been meaning to go through Shift's chat logs to see how she was teaching things to get an idea of what was expected of a professor etc., did she manage to delete them all? I think a really simple workshop would suffice, nothing major. I think professors should be "certified" to teach certain courses though. Maybe? A simple workshop of some kind could take care of this and encourage more professors to take on courses.

Originally Posted by Aquanina

did she manage to delete them all? I think a really simple workshop would suffice, nothing major. I think professors should be "certified" to teach certain courses though. Maybe?

Yeah, she deleted all the class chats.

If someone can make a syllabus of what they're teaching, then it's safe to say that they should be able to teach without a "certification". A syllabus tells a lot about what the professor knows, and what parts of the subject they're going to discuss. The staff should be able to look at them and see what needs to be added, or taken away. If they're oblivious to what's needed, then all we have to do is direct them to some information.

I don't think a certification is needed really. If anything we could have dry runs of classes within the staff to make sure things are up to speed. If they don't feel confident with that, then we could have a staff member sit in on classes to assist just in case the professor doesn't know something. Of course it shouldn't be talked over the class...but just a friendly pm saying "need help on this one" or something.

From my understanding we're getting away from the complication of things right? If people want to teach a particular subject, then that alone already establishes that they have knowledge on the subject. Once they write out the syllabus, and it's looked over, then it's go time, or no time.

I think a professors workshop is an awesome idea. It doesn't need to be a requirement for teaching but for anyone unsure about teaching, it can help build confidence. Remember, no one expects you to know everything about everything. For example you can answer tough questions about wild by saying it isn't your forte and to forward those questions to someone else. A lot of classes don't really require a lot more than basic knowledge and applying that. The logs should still be up for my class, btw.

Good points Akono! Especially about the "uncomplicating" things. I agree.

And thanks Naiya, I will definitely check out your class logs.

I would sit in on a professor's workshop. Time commitment would be a factor in whether I could actually teach a class, but it's something I'd consider. I don't know if I'd be the best person, really, not being a very methodical LDer The only 'induction' I use is suggestion/incubation, and really just deciding to focus on LDing is enough to ramp up frequency and intensity. I've never even kept a regular DJ or done RCs while awake, just took time to think about my dreams throughout the day and practiced mindfulness. I could possibly do some kind of class on mindfulness and lucid dreaming, but that's more about practice than conveying concepts.

Originally Posted by Xaqaria

It sounds like a good thing to do might be to have a "professors workshop". I would be willing to bet there are at least some people who might be good at being a professor and enjoy it, but are not confident enough. If we had a class to sort of get potential professors up to speed in the same format that DVA classes are held in, then it would not only get them to be more confident about the material but also how they would be teaching in general.

As a new professor I agree!! I only say that as this is also the first semester i will be taking classes at DVA....while simultaneously teaching for my first semester at DVA As I was never a student...I have no idea how Im going to teach this online course LOL!! Eh, I have the feeling it will all shake out...im just still waiting to get the full scoop on how it works.

Originally Posted by waving on oceans

As a new professor I agree!! I only say that as this is also the first semester i will be taking classes at DVA....while simultaneously teaching for my first semester at DVA As I was never a student...I have no idea how Im going to teach this online course LOL!! Eh, I have the feeling it will all shake out...im just still waiting to get the full scoop on how it works.

Hehe, looks like you found the place. This is the subforum I was talking about.

You should also be able to see ones like "DVA archive, current courses, student workbooks." If not let me know. We re-arranged them several weeks ago and the admin panel still shows the original usergroups so it's a bit screwy.

Originally Posted by Naiya

Hehe, looks like you found the place. This is the subforum I was talking about.

You should also be able to see ones like "DVA archive, current courses, student workbooks." If not let me know. We re-arranged them several weeks ago and the admin panel still shows the original usergroups so it's a bit screwy.

Im happy to say i've done some exploring and most of my questions are being answered ><

As far as starting new threads/topics in the subforums....im sure you all have a system. I wanted to ask before I started new threads here and there

Originally Posted by waving on oceans

Im happy to say i've done some exploring and most of my questions are being answered ><

As far as starting new threads/topics in the subforums....im sure you all have a system. I wanted to ask before I started new threads here and there

Hey man, don't be afraid to start a thread here. Do what you need to do (as said in our PM). We would actually appreciate it as long as you stick to DVA business.