ABSTRACT

The dream usually starts the same way. You’re teaching a class and, at first, all seems to be okay. The students are busy working in groups and there’s an energy in the room. But you notice one group with their books closed and cell phones out, texting away. When you approach them to pull them back on task, they seem to not hear you and instead go on chattering about their social lives. Out of the corner of your eye you catch movement. Another group has packed up their book bags and they’re heading for the door. What’s going on, you wonder. It’s too early for the bell. When you step toward the exiting students to try to stop them, the group that was texting stands and leaves through a second door, one you didn’t even know existed. In fact, the walls of the classroom seem to be full of doors and students are making their ways through them no matter what you do.