A key issue

In research proposals students are asked to formulate a key research questions. This is probably the most important part of the proposal. If the student does not know what the question is, than neither theoretical framework, nor method will help her/him.

In my case, I have been dealing with another key issue for some time. Let’s go back to last year 23 March. I wrote this text and my colleague, Clint le Bruyns, gave it the name: 'the rappers lament’.

Madonsela is known as the public protector

I wonder if she’s got a data projector?

I have an issue I would like to table:

My problem is I can’t find the cable.

Does anyone want to teachers disable?

Without that thing I am not able

to show the class my power point.

I’d rather sit and smoke a joint.

So far when I search our oral history

It seems as the cable is gone in mist, or

is it all about religion and government?

I think we need some major empowerment.

African socialism is spelled: Ujamaa,

But when asking for cables they just say: Da!

Our theology needs some development now

Give use a cable – let the students say: Wow!

So, give me a cable, I ask our baas.

It’s good to have while teaching a class.

Or would you rather build your own house

like the president, no matter his vows.

Why can’t we do something better this side.

Let Ubuntu rule! Or should we abide?

Let’s find a solution to computer pollution.

Let’s ask our leaders to start some motion.

Each class room has equipment in place

Let’s start a cable-procurement-race.

Yo!

The issue was this. In every class room there is a data projector. The remote control, however, and the cable to connect it to the laptop, is in a locked box. You need a key and then you can access the remote and the cable and voila – there you start teaching.

The problem was that in room NAB 107 the cable was not working. I asked colleagues and administrators but it seemed to me that no one had the time or authority or energy to fix a new cable. So I wrote these lyrics and performed my rap at a meeting. After the meeting Clint wanted us to make a video. I am proud to present the result on my blog and equally proud to have Clint as a colleague both in the academic work, in activism and now also show business:

I am not sure that it helped but some time later I found that there was a new cable in room NAB 107. Great!

It takes almost 8 minutes to walk
from my office to Audio Visual.

But there are also other class rooms. Every room has a data projector and a locked box with remote control and a cable. There is a difference, however. In the case of NAB 107, the key is to be find in our building. But if I would like to use a data projector in another room, I need to go to Audio Visual, situated on main campus, 5-10 minutes’ walk from my office.

This semester I teach in room NAB 216. Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday! If I want to use the data projector, I need to walk the distance between my office and Audi Visual six times every week. Impossible! Most of my colleagues have solved the problem by buying their own projector from their research funds. Is this cost effective? There is a projector in every room. Why not using it?

So, I went to Audio Visual and borrowed the key this Monday. With the key I went to a lock smith. Can you make a copy? No, this is not a standard key. I went to another lock smith. We can make a copy, but you need a letter authorizing us to make a copy. We can see that it is a company key.

I went back to Audio Visual and asked if this could be issues. I got an e-mail address and started to communicate with 3-4 different persons. Luckily it didn't take long until I received this e-mail:

Dear Anders

I have your signed letter, you can collect from me.

Kind regards

Connected!

Today I fetched the letter. I went back to the lock smith. They made a copy of the key. Now I have my own key and every time I teach in room NAB 216 I just bring my laptop, open the box and connect it to the projector.

I just hope that I don’t need to be in any of the other rooms (except NAB 107) because in that case I need to go through the whole process again.

For now I am covered.