There I was, knee deep in grenade pins . . .

When we returned from Harvey I embarked on a "listening tour." I contacted my classes through Canvas to see who was still with me, who had fled the area, who could still continue, and who needed help to continue. I had a few on-campus students who took the class as online students being unable to make it to campus, to include one student who spent the semester in a Red Cross shelter. But most who needed assistance just needed temporary assistance and as the college pushed back the start of the semester two weeks, that was enough for most people to get their issues resolved so that they either could return to class or could come up with a Plan B.

Some of those alternative paths to success included bundling smaller, earlier assignments into larger assignments due later in the semester or different versions of assignments such as oral presentations via Skype.

We have something like Harvey, but on a smaller scale to work through now. Tropical Storm Imelda ripped through the area last week. Came out of nowhere, like TS Allison, and did more damage than expected. I had the foresight (luck?) to cancel classes on Wednesday and Thursday so that my students would not have to worry about trying to get out of here. This campus very quickly becomes an island during heavy rain events. So far I've only heard from on-campus students and they had their vehicles totaled. Most are out for a short time but one sounds like he might be out indefinitely, but I am working to get him to at least do some work via online.

We will see what happens as the week unfolds -who shows up and what kind of stories I hear. The Platinum Rule is the motto of the semester: Treat others like they want (need) to be treated. Need to make sure that everyone who wants to continue in my classes are afforded the opportunity to do so. Plan B. Life is full of one Plan B after another. At least my life has been one Plan B after another.

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." -Yogi Berra

A Road Less Traveled: One Historian’s Reference Guide to Our Story: Update

I’ve been writing the 2nd edition of my OER ancillary (don’t call it a textbook) for about a year. I’ve completed a Preface, a Prologue, an Introduction, seven chapters for the first part of US History and four chapters for the second part of US History.

The reason for the OER project is to create a free resource that provides a basic understanding of US history under one roof. Currently, I use a series of links from varies sources to provide my students with that understanding of US History. The problem with a series of hyperlinks is that some students have reported difficulty finding the starting point of some of the readings, such as Building the American Republic.

I’m interested in what people think about OER in general and my OER project in particular. https://ourstory.pressbooks.com/   

Free/More Free College

There is much discussion lately about "free" college. Some how, some one has to pay for the salaries of the college employees, the maintenance of the grounds, upkeep of the buildings, expansion when necessary, and so forth.

So the right question is free college will be free to who?

College was free to me because I was prepared to lay down my life for this country and in exchange the federal government, with the support of American taxpayers, provided me with the GI Bill. Part of the GI Bill was money that covered most of my tuition, books, and other costs.

So, if you want a free ride, all you have to do is follow my lead and join the Army. Although the Marines, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard will do, I suppose.

The other option is to have some sort of civilian federal service for those who wish to obtain a free college degree without joining the military.

Students borrow money from the federal government. Those who do not obtain their terminal degree or certificate must pay back 100% of the loan. Those who who obtain their terminal degree or certificate can enter into federal service.

There needs to be a formula. Depending on the type of work performed for the federal government, the government will forgive a certain amount or percentage of the loan. Military work will result in the loan being forgiven at a quicker pace then say working for the Parks Department as a docent in Yellowstone. Hazardous versus non-hazardous duty.

Someone else can figure it out. I'm just the idea man. The devil is in the details, which I have none at this time. A CCC or WPA for the 21st century.