In one of my aviation classes, we were told that it was required for us to write a one-page introspective paper. The assignment was early on in the class and it was to be written about an obstacle that we had overcome in our own lives.

The professor had managed to learn everyone’s names somewhat well but with the size of the class, I had my doubts that the content of the paper meant much at all. By the end of the semester, that professor had demonstrated well enough that he really did care about the students.

This is not provided to give you any ideas on how to torture your own professors. It was a social experiment of my own to see how much the professor actually paid attention to the students. He did comment on this paper after class the next week.

One more note. This was to be turned in on Blackboard, but the silly software didn’t accept the paper. I had to hand it in. Enjoy:

The screen sat blank. What should be written? I had been considering the assignment for a day. The article to be written was obviously busy work intended to keep the students from feeling too lax.  Perhaps it could do some good by forcing personal reflection, but I do that already. Is it right to let others into my own mind so easily? What purpose would it accomplish? It would add a few grade points, but with all of the students assigned this task how important are the details? How important are they really?

Action had to be taken if those points were to be claimed, but the moral dilemma was still very much present. Statistics have shown that it takes at least a year for most people to trust another person fully. That is a great reason to welcome new pastors warmly. That first year is the toughest. School is probably the same way, but I just can’t bring myself to be candid on demand.

The internet age has changed things, some say. Writing can be so impersonal. I doubt that. Writing has been around for millenia. The thing that has probably changed it is the ease with which those messages are sent. No longer is there so much thought that goes into what is written. Perhaps that is the reason the college seeks introspection. Nevertheless, I have carefully guarded myself from much of that cavalier manner.

Ah, an idea! Perhaps a compromise would be in order. A brief glimpse into the mental debate would be sufficient to satisfy the terms of an obstacle overcome. A few taps of the fingers on the keyboard would fill the screen with words. But should it be saved?

BlackBoard apparently did not think so.