It’s Latin. It means “my fault.” It’s what I’m telling a group of students today.

I gave the assignment to shoot a video and upload it to the online course. And then to give feedback to other students.

It’s my third time through this course. We’ve survived the previous two times.

However, this time students are having a hard time uploading the videos, the video size is inconsistent, and students aren’t able to see the videos of others.

But there’s more to the story.

The previous times the course has been offered, there have been about five students. When there issues, I took care of them. I converted some of the files, I worked behind the scenes to make things work. Workish.

Yesterday, the day the videos were due, I started getting questions from students. And I started to try to figure out the work arounds. But this time there are sixteen students. It’s time to have the course built the right way.

I started with my usual attempts to figure it out myself. And then I realized that I could ask for help. There is, in our department office, a person who does course development all the time, who is always available to provide support and training and answers, who is working to make sure our students and faculty can be about the business of learning. Rather than the business of being frustrated.

So I asked for help. And help is being provided. With competence and compassion and clarity for the students.

An hour after I reached out, things are being fixed.

The barrier? Me.

My willingness to say, “I need help.” And to say, “Mea culpa.” My fault. My habit of trying to figure it all out.

Have some good in your weekend. I will. Now.