u/limonade11

I have been teaching a couple of Micro courses online and one uses an online format with lab and the other is set up with hands on labs and pre-created modules by the lead instructor. I'd like to change the course I teach myself from the online platform to a book/assignments and hands on labs. Because I am teaching part-time I have to be careful around how much time I invest as I am not being paid to revamp the course.

Is there anyone out there teaching and have some suggestions on how to create an affordable online course? The hands on course I teach was created by a full time faculty person and so they are definitely paid to invest more.

Appreciate any ideas or suggestions in advance, I have definitely used some of the images and ideas from this subforum in my teaching and students have liked the research and visuals here.

I am in limbo waiting to hear about a job I submitted and application for and had an interview, references and everything. Two weeks ago I checked to see about the references and was told they were very good and that my paperwork was being forwarded to HR.

I have never worked with the government and in private companies things may move slowly but I don't know that they move as slow as the government. This application went quick because I contacted the manager privately and that got things moving quickly. Still, these different jobs seem very chaotic and disorganized in general and while this one seemed a lot better I am still just left hanging indefinitely. The Director said it 'would take a few days' with HR but I think that really means weeks.

Anyone have any ideas? For all I know they could have just found someone else and I would never hear back.

My 126 year old house is in a state that doesn't have insurance for asbestos siding (for the most part, so I am finding out) and while I have insurance currently it is just year by year and it keeps going up by like 50% or more a year. So, I will have to replace the siding; underneath is white wood clapboards and 3/4 way up there are wood shingles with a nice scalloped pattern. All painted white and the wood shingles are an awful off-color yellow, so I want to paint them again with a fresh bright clean light yellow.

For those who have done this, I could keep the original wooden boards of the house or take them off and insulate the walls and then add a new product siding that looks like real wood. Not sure what product to use but the environmental contractor had some experience with good wood-replacement products.

Ideas? I have time, but no doubt in the next year or so I will have to do this. Thanks in advance -

I don't have anything in my history that is negative, but I have had a lot of jobs in the last few years and have had to move around for work. I am wondering how this will look for a federal background check.

To be honest I am kind of on the fence about the position and if it means a full invasive investigation into my background then no I am not interested, I have always worked in fields that required background checks but I know that the government is very different.

My last manager was under serious investigation by the federal government (no lie) which could have shut the business down and as a result the head of another department offered to be my reference.

After interviewing for a new company the interviewer said they wanted a recent supervisor reference. I am tired of covering up for broken people and situations and so I kind of want to just say this, because the previous position I had we didn't even HAVE a manager and a lead had to step in and do the work. And the position before that I was the manager, and I did a great job and have a good reference from that.

I would kind of like to say something about the investigation (respectfully) because otherwise it makes it look like I was the flake and not the person who caused all this trouble for the company. She was also a vile human being who HR themselves told me they wanted to get rid of "but it took time, and it wasn't so easy, blah blah." When HR themselves tells you not to work for your manager ("I couldn't/wouldn't do it") then you know you have a problem employee. And yet she was retained and I had to walk away. Anyway, I would like to professionally describe the situation and leave it at that. What a mess - I am honestly afraid to go back to work now!!

Anyone have thoughts on housing and working there? I may have a job offer and wanted to ask. I know the area and the Navajo communities, and have lived in the central part of the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas. Just never worked and lived in Gallup. Housing seems expensive for rentals -

I was invited to interview last week for a company, and I waited 20 minutes on Teams before I hung up. Ok, not good. Later in the day, manager emailed/called to ask about rescheduling. Yeah, sure - whatever.

This morning I was there online and he 1) did not turn his camera on, 2) began by demanding that I explain each job I have had recently and while I was he kept interrupting and saying, "no tell me why you left." 3) When I asked clarifying questions, he got angry and said, "This is an interview and I am asking the questions. You can have time when I am done to ask me questions." I just smiled and almost laughed out loud.

4. He asked the weirdest question: "What would you do if a manager asked you to do something that would get you in trouble." When I asked what he meant, ethical, legal or so on, and whether the manager would be taking responsibility for requesting this, he replied that "no, you would be taking all the responsibility for doing this thing, not the manager." I told him I didn't really understand the question and was he really asking how long it would take for an employee to walk away, since that would be a very inappropriate thing to ask of anyone.

Very strange, I have never had such a weird interview! I should have just hung up on him but I was kind of fascinated to hear what he kept saying. He criticised my recent job experiences and I said, "It sounds like you want me to defend my professional choices and I am not going to do that; I will explain them but I don't feel I have any need to defend them." Ugh, what a nightmare - he's the one who needs to hire, why abuse potential hires like that?

I have a student this summer who has challenged every assessment and her wrong answers. She is aggressive and entitled and strikes fear in my hear when I get her emails. It never ends.

In the past I have had mixed experiences with students like this, some want to go to the Dean because they failed their exam (while never completing any assignments), and others I can sometimes work with them. This one is very aggressive and challenges all kinds of questions and points and accuses me of things - which really doesn't help. I try and manage these types and figure someone else at another time will teach them a few lessons but it's not worth it to me. I did reach out to the lead because it is excessive, 9 x she has emailed and I wanted to get some help.

Honestly, when I have asked for help in the past, that is when I was on the chopping block so that is why I don't ever ask anymore (mostly). How do you guys deal with these kinds of students? I am more than happy to help respectful students, and like being generous with them as I am able, but I don't like being taken advantage of or shaken down. : /

I love my house and the gardens and landscaping I have put in on my large lot. I will have to sell in a couple of years, how do I factor in the exterior or do I just lump it all together as the house, garage as is?

I am going to talk to a seasoned realtor and also get an appraisal, but I have been thinking about taking pictures this summer of all the flowers and plants and so just so I can have a record of the garden. Anyone else encounter this?

I feel like I have posted this before or maybe I have just posted it in my head but - I am really kind of freaking out about work because it seems the last few jobs I have work have had people who raised their voices, shouted (I am not kidding!) at me and others and where there have been incredibly unethical violations against industry standards. Also, in these environments there have been (surprise!) coworkers who bad mouth and try and ruin your reputation and I don't just mean me, but others.

I don't ever remember things being this awful and the shouting is really freaking me out. I work in a few different areas and across a couple of fields and so have a broad view of a couple of industries. It's just that in the last 6 years or so decency and respect/professionalism have departed and we are left with hyenas and jackals running hither and yon.

I have reached a point where I am afraid to even apply anymore because it seems like, 'how long can I tolerate this behavior before it drives me out.' Professionally I have been seen as very competent, well-rounded and knowledgeable over the years and so this mayhem is upsetting to me and I feel - deeply discouraged, and despair at find a well-run and reasonably ethical and professional environment. Anyone else see these changes?

I have not ever had one, and wondered if other have -

How do you handle a new course where you are basically thrown in on your own and you have to create your own assessments? I am struggling to get everything done and also create all these exams and quizzes. Sometimes there are questions that are not good, students don't like or what have you.

I am exhausted and creating good assessments takes time which I have not been given. Also, being a new adjunct with this program I feel very aware that I am being left on my own with no help and that if students complain then I am let go. The whole thing kind of stinks and I am feeling very frustrated - anyone else know what I mean? Students are happy when they get all their points, but get angry when they miss things and then of course it's my fault -