Back to basics

There is something wonderful about having a chalk board to work with. I am teaching a course at the Bluecoat in Liverpool. The room has a blackboard occupying the whole of one wall. Apparently it was put into place for an arts exhibition and they liked it so much they kept it. I enjoyed every moment of its use, the medium is so much better than slides.

I’ve noticed this before while teaching in Nice. There I had three sets of rolling blackboards and could teach for two days moving across the space. The great thing about chalk is that is slows the lecturer own to the speed of the class. You can also use narrow lines or broad sweeps, overlay colours and end up scattered with chalk dust. I really wish I had brought my tweed jacket with the leather elbow patches.