Ask HN: What are you NOT enjoying about now working from home?
For those of you NOT enjoying the transition to remote/work from home, what about it frustrates you most? What do you miss most about the office?
I wish I could see my students' faces as I teach. I'm used to looking, and being able to get some sense of when my students are confused or annoyed. Now, the only feedback I get is that which my students explicitly choose to provide.
Good question. I have no idea. I no longer have any way to tell. (My software tells me if they're logged on, but not if they're actually paying attention.) Students have been asking questions, so at least some students are paying attention.
> How is the overall experience of elearning
Another good question, and again one I don't have an answer to.
In response to campus closures, many instructors have decided to radically change what they're doing. If they're teaching a foreign language or a laboratory science, or if their class relies on a huge amount of student-to-student interaction, then they have no choice.
I'm teaching a math lecture course and I've chosen to stick, more or less, to my original plans. And although I've repeatedly encouraged students to be in communication with me, for the most part I still don't have a good sense of how things are going from their angle.
My guess is that some students will finish strong, and that some will fall apart -- especially if the virus reaches their friends or relatives. The challenge for me will be to help out students who are going through an incredibly diverse set of challenges.
> Good question. I have no idea. I no longer have any way to tell.
Have you tried to make the courses a bit more interactive? Maybe with some questionnaires or story telling?
Have you reached their parents? Would be interesting to see how they handle the situation. I've read that some parents try to mimic schools at home, and they have created lockers, desks, and etc.. for their children so they can have the feeling of being at school!
How is the software performing? do you face any major issues?
But, as noted in my other reply, weather doesn't always cooperate. But on a day like today, I may pick "going grocery shopping" as my line of demarcation. Worst case, I could get in my truck and just go drive around a little bit to achieve the same purpose.
More meaningful, is that I don't necessarily like being stuck in my apartment all the time. I like being home, but I need to get out... so in the past, when working from home a lot, I would frequently go sit at Starbucks or the cafe at Barnes & Noble, etc., and work there some portion of the day, just to get out, be around other people, etc. Now, that's not even an option.
I do try to make up for it by doing more bike riding and running, which is an opportunity to get out. But the weather doesn't always cooperate. Take today, where it's gray, raining, and kinda chilly here in Chapel Hill. I probably won't go running or riding today.
Otherwise, it's nice to get back the hour and a half or so I'd otherwise spending commuting to the office each day, and not having to spend as much money on gas. I can also dress more casually when working at home.
Also exercise. All the gyms are closed and I haven't settled into a good routine yet.
I am hoping to learn a few new workout techniques to see what a difference they can make - basically turning the experimentation aspect into a motivator. ymmv.
And then after spending a day, going through a lot of spam! I noticed this app on App Store called "Connecton". I'm surprised why was it hard to find it.
Putting out loud, so that I can save someone's time who needs this.