This is the time of year when room bookings for next year have to be made. That’s what determines the size of the class. The original vision of the course was to go big (400+). Each year I have agonized about that and pulled back (2012, 2011). Two things are different this year. It is the first time I have done things just as I did them last year; much to my surprise, I am missing the challenge of something new. And second, I am one of eight CIDD Faculty putting on a MOOC. It launches Tuesday, and we have no idea what will happen. But about 30,000 people, including my Dad, are signed up. Which makes you think. So does getting older. Tick, tick, tick.

Impact. Impact. IMPACT. Is there any other reason to teach?

This is a class room of 170 students of assorted levels of seniority look like.

Not bad, for sure. But this is what 900 eager freshmen starting College look like.

So I have decided that for 2014, I will get the biggest lecture hall I can, and take only Freshmen. That’ll be a challenge. Plenty of potential for egg on face, especially if the course does not have sufficient reputation to fill the room. It is also quite possible I will be unable to captivate an audience that big twice a week for fifteen long grueling weeks. But impact. What else is there? 

We only get one shot at this. I’m not going to look back and wish I had rested less.