Summer Plans – Take a Break Before Burnout
As I begin planning out this article I question where the month of June has gone? It feels like weeks are rolling into one. I’m busy, but in a good way busy with personal and work projects to the extent where Jimmie sends me a simple reminder that I’m late with my article…again! (Sorry Jimmie!)
Finally, in the middle of June, I received my first Pfizer jab and in 4 week’s time, I’ll get my second. I’m cautiously optimistic of the signs of a reopening in Ireland knowing that the Delta variant is spreading around the country however our National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will meet next week to decide whether indoor dining can reopen on time in mid-July.
Next week our Primary Schools will close for the summer, a relief to many teachers who have not only struggled to educate via online learning platforms but on the return to schools have constantly been on edge with hygiene to combat any COVID-19 risks in their schools. Credit to them all.
So what is happening with Higher Ed in Ireland? There is still a push for Universities to reopen in September for face-to-face learning. From people, I have talked to some embrace it openly, others are cautious.
With this in mind, I have been busy with my AV and Tech colleagues in the University finding solutions for blended learning, upgrading classrooms with the ability to bring your own device, several Crestron Air media, DTens, and Zoom rooms being placed in the classroom and labs across the campus.
Not only must AV Technicians and Learning Technologists look at solutions for face to face teaching in pods with several breakout rooms, we must also look at the blended external solutions and several “What If’s”
What if another strain of the virus brings us to another lockdown?
What if a county in Ireland is locked down – can we live stream our content externally?
Can we invite external students or guest lecturers to communicate to a lab or classroom?
How do we make the interface of the touch panel user-friendly that they understand they are “Broadcasting” externally or Internally?
After several printouts of plans, crunching our figures I believe we have found a solution which will satisfy students and staff.
I and many other AV Technicians welcomed the return of face-to-face AV Conferences like ISE Barcelona and ISE London. Although the numbers were low I believe it’s been a relief to organizers and attendees that were returning to a new normal.
Due to the fact I’m not fully vaccinated, I didn’t attend either conference physically, I watched online and in reference to my article last month I believe this model is here to stay. It’s worth mentioning SCHOMS who organized a 3-day online conference to discuss AV Technology at the end of June. Congrats to all the organizers it’s not an easy feat organizing conferences especially online.
The Learning Teaching Space Management Group (LTSMG) has decided to hold their conference online again later this year in November. The organizers are being cautious and over the full 18-month pandemic I still applaud them on one of the best organized online AV conferences during the lockdown and look forward to joining them on the 18th November for LTSMG@Home version 2.
I know the month of July and August will disappear like a blink of an eye as myself and other AV friends and colleagues work on projects before the start of term. Though its essential to detach and unplug from work and take some time off during what has been a hectic schedule physically and mentally for us all.
I know I plan to take a break in the not-so-distant future to combat any burnout.
I look forward to seeing photos on social media of your holidays. Take care, enjoy the summer months, we all deserve it!