Knee Deep
Well, Friday I was ankle deep in databases, I would have to say that I am now up to my knees, at least. The original plan was to utilize my databases for two classes this semester, in a very limited way. Unfortunately, I have found that setting up the system is rather similar to experimenting with crack. I just can’t stop. Once I get one class going, I get fired up to start another.
The two PHP based software programs that I am using are PHPBB and Moodle. PHPBB is a great bulletin board setup, that is very simple to use. I have this setup for one class, to be used for students to share opinions about books that they are reading. This was the initial project, and the easiest to setup. I still have a few things to tweak before it is as I would like it, but that has to wait until I get my books in the mail. The second software solution that I am using, is a program called Moodle. This is what has had me tied to the computer for hours and hours on end for the last week. This software is a complete program for running online materials for a classroom. You can run the class as completely online, or use the program in conjunction with regular classes, as I intend to. I had planned to slowly phase my way into this program, using only one or two functions for the first semester just to get a feel for it. I have found that it is so easy to use, that I have setup the framework for almost all of my classes now. I am now trying to convince myself not to use it with the one remaining class, as I am sure it will kill me (or perhaps my marriage). As it is, I have a pretty heavy course load, and the added time of maintianing an online presence for each, not to mention the follow up to all the student posts to the forums, is going to keep my chained to the keyboard long past dinner time.
Although I am sure that I am going to be sleeping much less this semester, I am looking forward to it. I was feeling a little burnt out after the last semester, so this is just the punch-in-the-pants that I needed.
Well, back to the grindstone…