Any New Semester Surprises?

Earlier this year I asked our readers to share examples of when they had been surprised (either positively or negatively) by technology. Today, I’m wondering if any of you are experiencing unexpected situations as the semester begins. If so, how are you coping?

I’m teaching in an almost awesome computer classroom this semester. The software and hardware is all new. The room is in the same building and on the same floor as my office. There’s plenty of room for students to move around if they need to. The only problem is that the new furniture–which is going to better allow for collaboration among students as well as better class discussions–has not yet replaced the existing cubicles, which isolate students from each other and make it difficult to discuss topics as a group.

Ah, well. So far, this is not an insurmountable problem, but I’m considering coming in one weekend soon and rearranging the existing furniture as best I can to try to improve things. (This might not be something the powers-that-be would smile upon, but it’s better to ask for forgiveness than to seek permission, right?)

How about you? Any new semester surprises? What has been your response to them?

[Creative Commons-licensed flickr photo by Benson Kua]