So - an academic dilemma thread. I’m in the unfortunate pickle of trying to deliver a new module online, with no existing lecture material to draw from. It currently takes me 8-10 hours to research, write, record a new lecture. My last video was accessed by 13 out of 55 students.

I totally get why students aren’t engaging - there’s a pandemic etc., and the lecture content isn’t tightly wrapped with assessment (my fault, in hindsight). But I’m staying up all hours trying to produce this stuff. I’m tired, cranky, and my kids are climbing the walls.

I’ve already reduced the number of planned recorded lectures. But even that number seems daunting, given the low levels of engagement. Sigh. This ‘ensuring continuity of the student experience’ business is bloody exhausting, when the returns feel so meagre. Feeling dispirited.

Thanks to all who’ve responses offering advice etc. But just a gentle note that it’s not helpful to advise online teaching tactics that actually take *more time* than what I’ve outlined, or suggest modified assessment (which I can’t do).

I’m not convinced it’s a case of ‘if you build it, they will come’ (even if I had time to build it, which I don’t.) I think maybe they’re just not coming at all (unless they absolutely have to, because of the assessment).