I’m taking some classes at Simon Fraser University (SFU) this summer. It has been interesting seeing what’s changed and what’s stayed the same since I last took university classes (circa 2004).

One big difference is that each class has a website. That used to be rare. The information in a class website varies, but it usually includes the syllabus, some links, maybe some class notes, old tests, maybe even your grades (which only you can see). Some classes use a “Learning Management System” (LMS) for their website.

It seems that the main LMS used by SFU is WebCT, which is awful. It requires Java, and not just any Java, but an old version of Java. You must allow Java applets to run in your web browser. You must use an old, out-of-date web browser. You must allow pop-ups. SFU has pages of instructions on how to turn off your Java updater and your browser updater. SFU may as well post a big banner on their homepage that says, “Hello crackers and black-hat hackers! Our students’ home machines should be easy to crack. Just use any recent Java exploit.”

(I disregarded SFU’s instructions for WebCT: I use a modern browser and the latest version of Java. WebCT complains. I say: whatever, if it seems to be working, then that’s good enough for me. I worry about the students who follow all of SFU’s instructions.)

Fortunately, SFU is transitioning to Canvas, which is a modern LMS built using Ruby on Rails. They have some classes beta testing Canvas this summer, and the full transition will happen in the fall. I guess I showed up one term too early.

More notes to follow.

The photo of the reflection pool at SFU is by Jiang Long on Flickr and it’s licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.

I thought for a moment, sighed, then said, “My greatest weakness, alas, is that I’m only human. I need to sleep about eight hours a day, I have to eat regularly, and I’m mortal. Some day, I will die.”

“Okay… But what about your greatest weakness that relates to this job?”

“Some day, I will die, and will no longer be able to do this job.”

(I originally wrote this in a private forum, but I thought it might be worth sharing here.)

I was usually a “well-behaved” student in elementary school (for a kid). But there was this one day…

My grade 1 teacher was Mrs. Holtvolgt (and I may be misspelling her name). She was watching over us as we clustered around a few short, wide, round wooden tables. The tables were covered with big bowls of crayons, coloured paper, white glue, and safety scissors.

The glue bottles would run empty, so Mrs. Holtvolgt had some giant glue refill bottles in the corner of the classroom.

I don’t remember what I was thinking. Maybe I was curious. Maybe I wanted to get some attention…

Well, I did something goofy. More on that in a bit. Mrs. Holtvolgt was not happy.

Normally I’d go home on the school bus, but that night my Mom picked me up after school. I don’t remember why. Maybe I had a doctor appointment or piano lessons. There was Mrs. Holtvolgt, waiting for her with me. I still remember what she said to my Mom.

“Mrs. McConaghy, I have a bone to pick with you.”

Earlier in the day, during the art class (or whatever she called it), I’d waited until Mrs. Holtvolgt was distracted by some other students, I’d gone over to the giant glue refill bottles, and I’d poured one, slowly, deliciously, enchantingly… into one of the big bowls of crayons!

Photo Credits: The photo, titled “Crayons” is by Jenn Durfey on Flickr and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.

P.S. It took me several months worth of allowance to replace the glue and crayons.

There once was a guy from Vancouver
who was somewhat a self-improver
He hung out at bars
and in dining cars
to practice the Heimlich Maneuver

I shared an earlier version of this limerick with some friends a few weeks ago. This one is an improvement.

Photo credit: The photo, titled “Mickey’s Diner” was taken by chief_huddleston on Flickr and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.