Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer
Three quick updates from my desk.
1. Putting the finishing touches on and proofreading the next issue (that is, the JANUARY 2022 edition!) of the newsletter. Subscribers, expect it to hit your inboxes on Friday. (And if you’re not a subscriber, it’s never too late to join our community—it’s free!)
2. Still working on course prep for the semester that begins in about a month. (Yes, I will post a list of the texts we’ll be reading in this course on “Contemporary Jewish Literature” in due course, per request!) I’ll admit that the current COVID-19/Omicron circumstances have me somewhat anxious about returning to the in-person classroom for what is slated to be a “hybrid” course—and trying to be ready in case we end up having to “pivot” back to fully online instruction. But, as is always the case, I am taking such joy from (re)reading texts before they go on the syllabus, and in discovering supplementary videos (featuring author readings, presentations, and panels) for the online component.
3. Who remembers the “six-word memoir” collections? I know that I’m capable of writing that much (one of my own creations is included in this volume). Since yesterday, I’ve been trying to think of one for Gary Rosenblatt’s challenge to describe 2021 in six words. Why not go ahead and add yours to the thread, too?
Erika,
You may want to check out Perusall.com–a free, online social annotation tool that many institutions have already integrated into their learning management systems. It really boosts students’ engagement and gives the instructor more fodder for class discussion. I use it for almost all my courses; it’s far superior to the discussion forum.
Thanks, Barb. I think that our college uses/recommends a different annotation tool, which I’m in the process of checking out.
Your newsletters are one of the only ones I consistently check.
Your content is great and always helpful! Thanks!
Thank you! That means a lot!