Of Routine

So how was that first week? I am sure there was a lot of feels; I know there was on my end. And not just feelings, but also the real embodiment of having to find something that works, or at least somewhat works (or clearly doesn't work), to get through the week (or not get through it at all). It means a lot of shifting of schedules (which is not great in the best of times), it means planning for things that one can never really plan for, it means finding what you need to support you, it may mean reaching out to different people or spaces to find that support. It is a lot, and I am in solidarity with you.  

I have spent the last couple of days deep thinking about routine and what routine means for folk. Pedagogically, many have noted and written about how trust can be built through routine (Imad, Costa, Shevrin Venet). When students know what to expect in each section of the course shell, when there is some familiarity with the kinds of activities that are done in class and how they connect to the assessments, and when students know the many ways that they can contact their instructor, that builds trust and community. Keeping these aspects of course design in mind and keeping routine as an aspect of consideration especially when many are returning to on-site classes for the first time in years is so important. 

These are all things that are at the heart of the etymology of routine , a 17th century French word that comes from route "path or course" to mean "the usual course of action." Yet there is something to be said about the need to avoid the secondary connotation of routine, which comes from theatrical performance and is more about "something rehearsed and habitually done." That habitual or rehearsed aspect could be problematic within educational spaces because as we all know, learning spaces are iterative, learning spaces are not one singular thing, and though we meaningfully design aspects of the course, it is with an awareness of those iterative pieces that can't or shouldn't be rehearsed.

There is certainly benefit to finding a routine that works, but there definitely needs to be space to unlearn biases that come from habit. And in fact this push to "normal" is a push towards going back to the same exclusionary habits, and we all see where that got us. 

A new routine is hard. It takes a lot of time to adjust, often more time that anyone is actually willing to give folk, which is also difficult. The first week is always one of flux, but there cannot be the expectation that after the first week that adjustment is done because that simply isn't true. Building community and trust in educational spaces means being open to everyone's different adjustments, especially right now. Assuming that everyone is on the same page or will take the same time to get on that page, is ableist. We need to meet learners where they are, and for instructors you need to be true to where you are as well. Giving yourself space and grace is also part of the routine.  

I was actually shocked at how much more this first week took out of me than I expected, and I already expected it would take a lot out of me for all the ableist and moral injury reasons. Everyone is working through things. There are shifts in enrollment numbers as students discover what will or will not work for them. These first few weeks always require a lot more buffer time, and with the pandemic this is even more the case. 

These first few weeks also need check-in time and this can be done synchronously or asynchronously. Those check ins could also be part of course design in some way, a routine that shows awareness and care, but a routine that should never become habit that loses meaning. This is not a time for "how are you?" as you are going down the hall and not waiting for the answer, because habit and society has taught us to not wait for the answer. Listen to what is being said around you: it is important, it provides a guide to what will be reflected in course discussions.

I have weekend routines that are being disrupted this weekend because of where I am at with my ability to focus. Some things on my to do list have been scrapped because I need to give myself grace and care. I also know and deeply acknowledge that being able to choose to not do some things is a privilege of my particular positionality at the moment. But today Ann is doing this for future Ann because I can see future Ann if I continue doing some of these things at this pace. 

So I leave you with this: have a conversation with "today you", and think about "future you"- what routines do you need support with now, what habits would be helpful to unlearn? 

Thank you to those who read this blog every week. When I see the click numbers it makes me reflect on the responsibility I have to those reading to create a space for not only reflection, but also the possibility of community building. Thank you, for being in community here and have a good week.