Final Phase of Marking Varia

I'm currently n the final phase of marking. Recall that our final exams started only last week (see this post). Next Monday will be the deadline for keying our marks (in total) for the courses we are teaching. I told my colleague that in my former university, we have around of two weeks to complete our marking. Thus, the window that we currently have is much shorter. As a result, the marking that we went through in the past week or so, is very intense. Many times, I feel light headed, eyes all teary and my body all tensed up. I avoided taking pain killers to make sure I can stay awake to finish the marking. Hopefully by tomorrow, I will end my marking (with my group of Linear Algebra being the last) and the weekend will be simply for keying in the marks, God willing.

The job does not end with marking. After this, we will be occupied with filling up with OBE forms, scanning samples and preparing our teaching portfolio for the current semester. Today, while my colleague and I were switching scripts, I told her that I was caught by surprise the level of details that the staff needs to go through. I mentioned when I first taught at the university, I was preparing the exam in the same way as in my former university, namely allowing students to have a choice of questions for them to answer in the exam. To me, this should benefit the students to be able to choose the topics that they understood better and that having choices also reflect real life. However, having this flexibility caused difficulties for me to fill up the OBE form where teaching aims are more rigid. I guess there are pros and cons on this matter. My own stance is essentially teaching and learning are creative processes and making things rigid might stifle the creative process.

Update on my other half's health: The specialist in HTJ, Seremban told my other half that what she is experiencing could possibly be Meniere's disease, a rare disease with no known cure. She has been asked to go for MRI to observe details of her inner ear. Currently, she has to cope with the echoing 'noises' in her left ear and also the problem of balance. When will the MRI be done, is not known yet. If it is scheduled too late, we may have to opt to get it done at a private hospital (and pay higher expenses).

My near future: I still seek whatever opportunities that are available for me. I may have to return to part-time teaching with the current university. In some way, I do wish I can help in the activities of International Year of Quantum Science and Technology in some small way. My younger colleagues will take lead of course. Recently, I saw Dr. Yap was named CTO of a start-up in Singapore (see here). I toyed around with a similar idea and suggested this to my younger colleague at my former university, even if it may seem remote to be realised. I have been listening to many talks on such related matters. In a way, we need to take risks and be more determined in our actions. Well, small steps first.