Hello Class!
I have added a column to the gradebook on Blackboard. This column should reflect the total points in the class that you accumulated. Here is the final grading scale:
A 950-1000
A- 900-949
B+ 870-899
B 840-869
B- 800-839
C+ 770-799
C 740-769
C- 700-739
D+ 670-699
D 640-669
D- 600-639
F 600 and below
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Journal Assignment Returned
Hello Class! I will return your journal assignments tonight. Expect them in your inbox at some point this evening.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Proctor Submission and Journal Updates
Hello Class! I hope today finds you well.
As a reminder, today is the last day to take the final exam. Please make sure it is submitted by tonight at 11:59pm.
A note about Proctor Forms: Please have your completed Proctor Form submitted to me by Wednesday at 11:59pm. This means that you should email it (preferably), fax it or send it through snail mail. Please email me and let me know how you have submitted it. I will not release final grades until I receive all proctor forms. This means that if you forget to send your proctor form, you will be holding up the release of final grades. I will keep a spreadsheet to keep track of how you have submitted the form. Also, make sure the information of your Proctor is correct. I spot check proctors randomly, so I may be contacting your proctor by phone or email.
Journal Assignment Update: I will be working on compiling the journal feedback today and tomorrow. You should have your final journal assignment with a grade, returned to you soon. It seems like some of you really liked the journal assignment, and even enjoyed reading over a few other people's papers. I know I have enjoyed reading over them, and I'm glad you have too.
Office hours for next week: I will be holding normal office hours on Tuesday, but extending them from 10am to 12pm. Tuesday will be the last day I will hold office hours, so pop in and say hi if you're free.
As a reminder, today is the last day to take the final exam. Please make sure it is submitted by tonight at 11:59pm.
A note about Proctor Forms: Please have your completed Proctor Form submitted to me by Wednesday at 11:59pm. This means that you should email it (preferably), fax it or send it through snail mail. Please email me and let me know how you have submitted it. I will not release final grades until I receive all proctor forms. This means that if you forget to send your proctor form, you will be holding up the release of final grades. I will keep a spreadsheet to keep track of how you have submitted the form. Also, make sure the information of your Proctor is correct. I spot check proctors randomly, so I may be contacting your proctor by phone or email.
Journal Assignment Update: I will be working on compiling the journal feedback today and tomorrow. You should have your final journal assignment with a grade, returned to you soon. It seems like some of you really liked the journal assignment, and even enjoyed reading over a few other people's papers. I know I have enjoyed reading over them, and I'm glad you have too.
Office hours for next week: I will be holding normal office hours on Tuesday, but extending them from 10am to 12pm. Tuesday will be the last day I will hold office hours, so pop in and say hi if you're free.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Concept Application Paper - Returned
Hello Class.
It is 11am and I am returning the Concept Application Papers now. Expect them in a few minutes.
:)
Carol
It is 11am and I am returning the Concept Application Papers now. Expect them in a few minutes.
:)
Carol
Friday, December 11, 2009
Concept Application Paper
I will be returning the Concept Application Papers tomorrow morning (Saturday). My goal was to have them returned earlier, but with the power outages, it was nearly impossible to get them done as planned. My apologies!!!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Final Exam Procedures
Here are the directions for the final exam:
1). I have extended the final exam dates as follows: Exam opens December 10th @ 12:01am and closes December 13th at 11:59pm. (Originally the final exam was Dec. 10th and 11th). I thought it would be nice to give you an extra couple of days to study. Please submit your final exam by Dec. 13th at 11:59pm. Start early.
2). The final exam covers Chapters 1-13. The study sheet is located on the Handouts Page on Blackboard.
3). Please log onto Blackboard and take the final exam. It is open book, open notes. Please DO NOT share answers, give tips to other classmates or help another student. You alone are to take the final exam. You will have 75 minutes to complete the final.
4). Have someone Proctor your final exam. This person must be over 21 and NOT a member of this class. They must watch you complete the final exam in accordance with the University's Academic Integrity Policy.
5). Download the Proctor Form located on the Handouts Page on Blackboard. Both you and the Proctor must sign the form.
6). Send me your proctor form: Scan it into the computer (preferred method) and email it to me. You can do that or fax it to the Communication Studies Office, or send it through snail mail.
REMINDER: The semester officially ends on December 17th. I will have everything returned to you by this date. My goal is to have the Concept Application Papers returned by the weekend. The Journals will take me a couple of days beyond that to compile grades and send them back to you.
Email me with any questions. Good luck on the final exam! :)
1). I have extended the final exam dates as follows: Exam opens December 10th @ 12:01am and closes December 13th at 11:59pm. (Originally the final exam was Dec. 10th and 11th). I thought it would be nice to give you an extra couple of days to study. Please submit your final exam by Dec. 13th at 11:59pm. Start early.
2). The final exam covers Chapters 1-13. The study sheet is located on the Handouts Page on Blackboard.
3). Please log onto Blackboard and take the final exam. It is open book, open notes. Please DO NOT share answers, give tips to other classmates or help another student. You alone are to take the final exam. You will have 75 minutes to complete the final.
4). Have someone Proctor your final exam. This person must be over 21 and NOT a member of this class. They must watch you complete the final exam in accordance with the University's Academic Integrity Policy.
5). Download the Proctor Form located on the Handouts Page on Blackboard. Both you and the Proctor must sign the form.
6). Send me your proctor form: Scan it into the computer (preferred method) and email it to me. You can do that or fax it to the Communication Studies Office, or send it through snail mail.
REMINDER: The semester officially ends on December 17th. I will have everything returned to you by this date. My goal is to have the Concept Application Papers returned by the weekend. The Journals will take me a couple of days beyond that to compile grades and send them back to you.
Email me with any questions. Good luck on the final exam! :)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Journal Assignment
Hi Folks!
My power has been spotty the last few days, so it may take me a while to respond to each person individually regarding the journal assignment. I will respond when I can.
I will not be on campus tomorrow, as I am still snowed in. I apologize if you were planning on stopping by my office in the morning.
I hope you all are doing well!
:)
Carol
My power has been spotty the last few days, so it may take me a while to respond to each person individually regarding the journal assignment. I will respond when I can.
I will not be on campus tomorrow, as I am still snowed in. I apologize if you were planning on stopping by my office in the morning.
I hope you all are doing well!
:)
Carol
Monday, December 7, 2009
Contacting me
Hello All!
Just a quick note to let you know that I may not be holding office hours tomorrow. As it stands, my power has been out for about 16 hours and I have no reliable way to stay connected to the internet without power. I will be answering email though, but my response time may take a little longer than expected. I will update later with whether or not I will hold office hours tomorrow.
Until later......
Just a quick note to let you know that I may not be holding office hours tomorrow. As it stands, my power has been out for about 16 hours and I have no reliable way to stay connected to the internet without power. I will be answering email though, but my response time may take a little longer than expected. I will update later with whether or not I will hold office hours tomorrow.
Until later......
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Week of December 6-8
Hello Class, here is what is listed on the Participation and Schedule Pages on Blackboard:
Answer one question in each of your three posts (the 12 hour restriction is removed this week due to the short week):
1). What concept/s in this class have you found most interesting? What was it about the concept/s that you found interesting.
2). Pick on other concept from the book that you feel needs further discussion?
3). What was it about this class that you liked? What do you think needs improvement?
Note: I have changed one of the discussion questions this week, so please use this list of questions rather than what is listed on Blackboard.
Reminder: Please post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs. Make sure that you are commenting on posts within the date range of Dec. 6-8.
Journal assignment reminder: Graded journal assignments are due by Tuesday, December 8th at 11:59pm.
Let me know if you have any questions. I will be available all week through email. I will be in my office on Wednesday, December 9th from about 8:15am to 8:45m in case you want to meet. I can meet other times on Wednesday, but that will be by appointment. Email me if you want to stop by my office to chat.
Answer one question in each of your three posts (the 12 hour restriction is removed this week due to the short week):
1). What concept/s in this class have you found most interesting? What was it about the concept/s that you found interesting.
2). Pick on other concept from the book that you feel needs further discussion?
3). What was it about this class that you liked? What do you think needs improvement?
Note: I have changed one of the discussion questions this week, so please use this list of questions rather than what is listed on Blackboard.
Reminder: Please post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs. Make sure that you are commenting on posts within the date range of Dec. 6-8.
Journal assignment reminder: Graded journal assignments are due by Tuesday, December 8th at 11:59pm.
Let me know if you have any questions. I will be available all week through email. I will be in my office on Wednesday, December 9th from about 8:15am to 8:45m in case you want to meet. I can meet other times on Wednesday, but that will be by appointment. Email me if you want to stop by my office to chat.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Journals
I had to post a quick note about your Journals - WOW!!!!! I am lovin' what you all wrote. I have read over some journals already, and I must say, I'm impressed. It looks like this was a really useful assignment when applying communication concepts from the course to a real world setting and to get you thinking about communication as it relates to real life. That was the goal, and from what I have read so far you all really grabbed a hold of the assignment and ran with it. Good job! I can't wait to read the rest of the journals.
In addition, I am very excited that you all have an opportunity to read what each other wrote, even if it is just a small handful of journals. I think you will really enjoy reading what your colleagues have written.
In addition, I am very excited that you all have an opportunity to read what each other wrote, even if it is just a small handful of journals. I think you will really enjoy reading what your colleagues have written.
Please complete an online SOTE evaluation for Comm 105
Once again it is the time of year that students must complete SOTE ratings. Please have yours completed and submitted by Monday, December 7th @ 11:59pm.
Please log into your "MySJSU" account and complete a SOTE evaluation for this course. Here are the instructions:
1). Log into "MySJSU"
2). SJSU Campus Solutions (left hand side bar)
3). Under Campus Community it should say "Online SOTE Ratings"
4). Complete the evaluation
5). Submit
Please be aware that once you submit the form, you will not be able to change what you have entered into the form.
Once you have completed the online SOTE evaluation, please send me a confirmation email that you have submitted the form. No need to enter text into the body of your confirmation email. Simply start an email and write "SOTE submitted" in the subject line.
Please email me if you have any questions about this. As always, I'm available by email, Yahoo Messenger and phone conversations.
I greatly appreciate your participation in the online SOTE ratings of both the class and instructor!
Please log into your "MySJSU" account and complete a SOTE evaluation for this course. Here are the instructions:
1). Log into "MySJSU"
2). SJSU Campus Solutions (left hand side bar)
3). Under Campus Community it should say "Online SOTE Ratings"
4). Complete the evaluation
5). Submit
Please be aware that once you submit the form, you will not be able to change what you have entered into the form.
Once you have completed the online SOTE evaluation, please send me a confirmation email that you have submitted the form. No need to enter text into the body of your confirmation email. Simply start an email and write "SOTE submitted" in the subject line.
Please email me if you have any questions about this. As always, I'm available by email, Yahoo Messenger and phone conversations.
I greatly appreciate your participation in the online SOTE ratings of both the class and instructor!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Week of November 29 - December 5
Hello Class!
You have three things to complete this week:
*Quiz on Blackboard on Chapters 11 & 13
*Work on Concept Application Paper - due by Friday, December 4th @ 11:59pm
*Work on grading the journal assignments (already emailed to you), due by December 8th @ 11:59pm.
I have purposely not scheduled a discussion week so you can work on the two remaining projects in the course - Grading Journals and the Concept Application Paper. In fact, this is why I have not scheduled discussion for the past two weeks. I know schedules are tight around this time in the semester, and I wanted to make sure you had extra time to get the projects finished for this course. So I figured I would not schedule discussion these last couple of weeks in hopes that you would take advantage of that time to work on the projects in this course.
I emailed out directions about how to complete the grading aspect of the journal assignment. I do not want you to spend a vast amount of time grading the journals, so please simply read over each entry and grade it by using the grading sheets. The grading sheets are pretty self explanatory and shouldn't take too much time to fill out. You have almost 9 days to complete the grading aspect of the journal assignment, which should be more than enough time to read over them and fill out the grading sheets.
In addition to this, I am pleased that so many of you were able to take advantage of the extra credit opportunity! Sending in your Concept Application Paper early really frees you up for the last couple of weeks of the class, and that's a good thing. I understand how busy each person is at the end of the semester, and was pleased with how some of you were able to take advantage of the extra credit opportunity, thus freeing up your schedule.
Please let me know if there are any questions or issues. I'm still here to chat over the phone, through Yahoo Messenger and through email. If you are having any issues at all, please get in contact with me.
You have three things to complete this week:
*Quiz on Blackboard on Chapters 11 & 13
*Work on Concept Application Paper - due by Friday, December 4th @ 11:59pm
*Work on grading the journal assignments (already emailed to you), due by December 8th @ 11:59pm.
I have purposely not scheduled a discussion week so you can work on the two remaining projects in the course - Grading Journals and the Concept Application Paper. In fact, this is why I have not scheduled discussion for the past two weeks. I know schedules are tight around this time in the semester, and I wanted to make sure you had extra time to get the projects finished for this course. So I figured I would not schedule discussion these last couple of weeks in hopes that you would take advantage of that time to work on the projects in this course.
I emailed out directions about how to complete the grading aspect of the journal assignment. I do not want you to spend a vast amount of time grading the journals, so please simply read over each entry and grade it by using the grading sheets. The grading sheets are pretty self explanatory and shouldn't take too much time to fill out. You have almost 9 days to complete the grading aspect of the journal assignment, which should be more than enough time to read over them and fill out the grading sheets.
In addition to this, I am pleased that so many of you were able to take advantage of the extra credit opportunity! Sending in your Concept Application Paper early really frees you up for the last couple of weeks of the class, and that's a good thing. I understand how busy each person is at the end of the semester, and was pleased with how some of you were able to take advantage of the extra credit opportunity, thus freeing up your schedule.
Please let me know if there are any questions or issues. I'm still here to chat over the phone, through Yahoo Messenger and through email. If you are having any issues at all, please get in contact with me.
Impressed
Hello Class!
If I have received your journals, you should have a confirmation email waiting for you. I will send out additional instructions later today around 5pm or so clarifying the grading process, which should be a simple one for you.
I'm quite impressed with your journals. It looks like the 'applied' part of your journals worked well. This was the goal - to get out there an observe communication in the real world, make connections between the concepts in the text and your observations, then write about them.
Did you find this assignment useful??? You can leave a comment here anonymously if you would like. Just be sure you are not logged into your google account, and you can leave an anonymous comment if you don't want me to be able to identify you. :) Some folks like anonymity when giving feedback, and that's just fine by me.
Quite a few people sent their journals early. I appreciate that!
After my email tonight, please let me know if you have any questions about the grading process. I'm here to help!
Until later........
If I have received your journals, you should have a confirmation email waiting for you. I will send out additional instructions later today around 5pm or so clarifying the grading process, which should be a simple one for you.
I'm quite impressed with your journals. It looks like the 'applied' part of your journals worked well. This was the goal - to get out there an observe communication in the real world, make connections between the concepts in the text and your observations, then write about them.
Did you find this assignment useful??? You can leave a comment here anonymously if you would like. Just be sure you are not logged into your google account, and you can leave an anonymous comment if you don't want me to be able to identify you. :) Some folks like anonymity when giving feedback, and that's just fine by me.
Quite a few people sent their journals early. I appreciate that!
After my email tonight, please let me know if you have any questions about the grading process. I'm here to help!
Until later........
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Clarification about the Journal Assignment submission
Hello Folks,
When you submit your journal assignment, please submit only one document and put the assignments into this order:
Journal #1 - Public Communication
Journal #2 - Nonverbal Communication
Journal #3 - Intercultural Communication
Journal #4 - Interpersonal Communication
Journal #5 - Communication and the Mass Media
Grading Sheets (all 5 at the end of the Journal)
I apologize if there was any confusion.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
When you submit your journal assignment, please submit only one document and put the assignments into this order:
Journal #1 - Public Communication
Journal #2 - Nonverbal Communication
Journal #3 - Intercultural Communication
Journal #4 - Interpersonal Communication
Journal #5 - Communication and the Mass Media
Grading Sheets (all 5 at the end of the Journal)
I apologize if there was any confusion.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Availability through Thanksgiving
Hello Class!
I will be available through the Thanksgiving break in case you need to contact me for any reason. Yes, this means I will even be available on Thanksgiving through email and phone should something arise. It may take me a bit longer to reply to you since I too, have family gatherings and will be participating in the 'day after Thanksgiving' shopping day.
If I do not talk to you over the Thanksgiving Holiday, I wish you all a wonderful day. Be safe!!!
I will be available through the Thanksgiving break in case you need to contact me for any reason. Yes, this means I will even be available on Thanksgiving through email and phone should something arise. It may take me a bit longer to reply to you since I too, have family gatherings and will be participating in the 'day after Thanksgiving' shopping day.
If I do not talk to you over the Thanksgiving Holiday, I wish you all a wonderful day. Be safe!!!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Grades Posted for 11/15-11/21
I have just posted grades for the discussion week of 11/15-11/21. Please log onto Blackboard and checkout your grade. Email me if you have any questions.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Week of November 22-28
Hello Class! Here is what's listed on the Participation and Schedule pages for this week:
Since this is Thanksgiving week, and we have a couple of semester projects due, you have the entire week to work on those projects. There is no discussion this week! There are no quizzes/tests this week. The only thing you should complete this week is your Concept Application Paper and your Journal Project.
The due dates for the remaining projects in this course are listed in my post below. As a reminder, the all entries for the semester long Journal Project (which you should have been working on all semester) is due this coming Saturday, November 28th by 11:59pm. Please plan ahead, and submit your paper early if you think you may not have time over the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Also, if you submit your Concept Application Paper by November 28th by 11:59pm, you will earn yourself 15 extra credit points! If you think your grade needs a little boost, please take advantage of this opportunity.
I will email out the Concept Application Paper with the attached grading sheet in a few minutes. I will also send out an additional email about the Journal Project!
Since this is Thanksgiving week, and we have a couple of semester projects due, you have the entire week to work on those projects. There is no discussion this week! There are no quizzes/tests this week. The only thing you should complete this week is your Concept Application Paper and your Journal Project.
The due dates for the remaining projects in this course are listed in my post below. As a reminder, the all entries for the semester long Journal Project (which you should have been working on all semester) is due this coming Saturday, November 28th by 11:59pm. Please plan ahead, and submit your paper early if you think you may not have time over the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Also, if you submit your Concept Application Paper by November 28th by 11:59pm, you will earn yourself 15 extra credit points! If you think your grade needs a little boost, please take advantage of this opportunity.
I will email out the Concept Application Paper with the attached grading sheet in a few minutes. I will also send out an additional email about the Journal Project!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Extra Credit Opportunity
I have been thinking about how to handle extra credit for a few weeks now (I have never offered extra credit in this class before, so you guys are pretty lucky!) ;) I was going to give an extra assignment, but because this time in the semester is usually quite busy, I don't think I can in good faith, offer another assignment.
So here's what I will offer - each student who turns in their Concept Application Paper by November 28th at 11:59pm will earn 15 points extra credit. This means that you will turn your paper in about a week early (a week from today).
I have not scheduled a discussion week because I count it as a catch up week. You have a couple of assignments due, so for the next couple of weeks (see the Participation Page) you will not have discussion so you can focus on course projects!
So here's what I will offer - each student who turns in their Concept Application Paper by November 28th at 11:59pm will earn 15 points extra credit. This means that you will turn your paper in about a week early (a week from today).
I have not scheduled a discussion week because I count it as a catch up week. You have a couple of assignments due, so for the next couple of weeks (see the Participation Page) you will not have discussion so you can focus on course projects!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Date Reminders
Hello Class!
In order to simplify the end of the semester projects, here are a list of dates to remember:
November 28th - Completed Journal is due by 11:59pm. Since you have been working on these journal entries all semester, this date should come as no surprise. Furthermore, your journal should be almost completed since you have been working on it and making entries for the last two to three months. I made the last journal entry a fairly simple 'reflection' paper to make the process a bit easier for you as the end of the semester nears.
December 4th - Concept Application Paper is due by 11:59pm. You are more than welcome to submit this assignment early so you are not working on two assignments (grading your classmates journals) at the same time. In fact, I encourage it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I suggest you work on this assignment during Thanksgiving week and turn it in early if possible. I may offer extra credit for turning in the Concept Application Paper early!!! So keep a look out for that post!
December 8th - Graded Journals are due by 11:59pm. I would love to extend this deadline, but unfortunately due to Dead Day, and the final exam schedule, I am unable to do so. Grading the journals should be a simple process. You will read over two to three journals from your classmates and rate them in 4 different areas on a scale from 1-5. See the grading sheet posted on Blackboard to review the grading criteria. You will also provide a sentence or two of feedback. Grading each journal should not take too long, and you have approximately a week to complete your portion of the grading. (Remember, your journal is worth 100 points, and your participation in the grading process is worth 25 points. This means that your classmates will grade you on the 100 point portion of the assignment, and I will grade you on the 25 point portion of the assignment. Of course I will look over each journal to make sure that the grading is consistent and correct. More detail to come over the weekend.)
December 10-11 - Final Exam. This exam is open book and open notes. You are more than welcome to use any notes, chapter outlines, powerpoint presentations and of course your text. However, you are not allowed to share answers with each other, or distribute the questions per the academic integrity policy. You will have a person over 21 (any person not associated with this course) proctor your final exam for you. This simply means that the person watches you take your final exam to make sure you are not violating the academic integrity policy in any way. They will fill out their portion of the proctor form, then you will fill out your portion and either email (scan it into the computer and email it to me), fax it to the Comm. Dept., or send it through snail mail.
In order to ease your load a bit as the semester winds down, this week was the second to last discussion week. The final discussion week in this course is fairly simple and should require very little effort. I may change the questions for the last discussion week to make it even easier for you to complete, so stay tuned for that post as the time comes closer.
In order to simplify the end of the semester projects, here are a list of dates to remember:
November 28th - Completed Journal is due by 11:59pm. Since you have been working on these journal entries all semester, this date should come as no surprise. Furthermore, your journal should be almost completed since you have been working on it and making entries for the last two to three months. I made the last journal entry a fairly simple 'reflection' paper to make the process a bit easier for you as the end of the semester nears.
December 4th - Concept Application Paper is due by 11:59pm. You are more than welcome to submit this assignment early so you are not working on two assignments (grading your classmates journals) at the same time. In fact, I encourage it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I suggest you work on this assignment during Thanksgiving week and turn it in early if possible. I may offer extra credit for turning in the Concept Application Paper early!!! So keep a look out for that post!
December 8th - Graded Journals are due by 11:59pm. I would love to extend this deadline, but unfortunately due to Dead Day, and the final exam schedule, I am unable to do so. Grading the journals should be a simple process. You will read over two to three journals from your classmates and rate them in 4 different areas on a scale from 1-5. See the grading sheet posted on Blackboard to review the grading criteria. You will also provide a sentence or two of feedback. Grading each journal should not take too long, and you have approximately a week to complete your portion of the grading. (Remember, your journal is worth 100 points, and your participation in the grading process is worth 25 points. This means that your classmates will grade you on the 100 point portion of the assignment, and I will grade you on the 25 point portion of the assignment. Of course I will look over each journal to make sure that the grading is consistent and correct. More detail to come over the weekend.)
December 10-11 - Final Exam. This exam is open book and open notes. You are more than welcome to use any notes, chapter outlines, powerpoint presentations and of course your text. However, you are not allowed to share answers with each other, or distribute the questions per the academic integrity policy. You will have a person over 21 (any person not associated with this course) proctor your final exam for you. This simply means that the person watches you take your final exam to make sure you are not violating the academic integrity policy in any way. They will fill out their portion of the proctor form, then you will fill out your portion and either email (scan it into the computer and email it to me), fax it to the Comm. Dept., or send it through snail mail.
In order to ease your load a bit as the semester winds down, this week was the second to last discussion week. The final discussion week in this course is fairly simple and should require very little effort. I may change the questions for the last discussion week to make it even easier for you to complete, so stay tuned for that post as the time comes closer.
Journal Assignment Clarification
Hello Class!
When you put together your journal, please include the assignments in this order:
Journal #1 - Public Communication
Journal #2 - Nonverbal Communication
Journal #3 - Intercultural Communication
Journal #4 - Interpersonal Communication
Journal #5 - Communication and the Mass Media
Grading Sheets
I will email out the grading sheet in a word document over the weekend with additional instructions. You will be able to copy and paste the grading sheet right into your final journal at then end.
I hope this helps!
When you put together your journal, please include the assignments in this order:
Journal #1 - Public Communication
Journal #2 - Nonverbal Communication
Journal #3 - Intercultural Communication
Journal #4 - Interpersonal Communication
Journal #5 - Communication and the Mass Media
Grading Sheets
I will email out the grading sheet in a word document over the weekend with additional instructions. You will be able to copy and paste the grading sheet right into your final journal at then end.
I hope this helps!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Journal Assignment
I have posted the grading sheet for the Journal Assignment. It is located on the "Projects" page for your review. Please use this grading sheet to get a better idea about how your classmates will be evaluating your work. I will send it out in a Microsoft Word document so you can attach it to the end of your journal before turning it in.
As a reminder, your completed Journal Assignment with all 5 journal entries is due by November 28th by 11:59pm. Since Nov. 28th is right after Thanksgiving, it is highly suggested that you plan around your holiday schedule.
I will send out more instructions as the time gets closer, but the first step is to complete all journal assignments and submit all 5 in ONE SINGLE word document by Nov. 28th. This means that you put your journals in order of occurrence into one single Microsoft Word document.
Let me know if you have questions about this. I'm here to help!
As a reminder, your completed Journal Assignment with all 5 journal entries is due by November 28th by 11:59pm. Since Nov. 28th is right after Thanksgiving, it is highly suggested that you plan around your holiday schedule.
I will send out more instructions as the time gets closer, but the first step is to complete all journal assignments and submit all 5 in ONE SINGLE word document by Nov. 28th. This means that you put your journals in order of occurrence into one single Microsoft Word document.
Let me know if you have questions about this. I'm here to help!
What's the point?
Hello Folks! There have been numerous objectives to be met in this course. To reiterate the point of the assignments: Blogging weekly, quizzes, readings, Cultural Event Paper, Concept Application Paper, Journal Assignment, etc..... I have listed out some ideas for your review answering the question WHY? Why are we writing papers? Why do we blog every week? Why do we interact so much with our classmates? Why do I have to do so much reading? It all comes down to the goals of the course, and the goals/requirements of the University. Expanding diversity on multiple levels within this class is a big goal. Read the list below and let me know if the purpose and goals of these assignments are still ambiguous. As you can see, each objective is aligned with University goals. So this list should answer the "WHY?" question.
1). These objectives give you opportunity to see what other folks in the class are writing about and discussing.
2). Some of these assignments allows you to give your opinion about your colleagues writing.
3). The journal assignment will diversify your grading as the instructor is not the only one evaluating your work. This is a positive thing, you'll see!
4). Each of these assignments are intellectually challenging.
5). The assignments increases diversity in the class on multiple levels.
6). Each assignment provides meaningful feedback, not only from the instructor, but from others in the class, thus diversifying grading, and understanding!
7). The assignments establish an atmosphere of community and enhanced learning.
8). Reinforces relevant course material from a number of different perspectives.
9). Helps you analyze complex and abstract ideas as presented by others relating to course material/content.
10). Applies course content in a real-world setting.
As always, I am available to chat with you over email, Yahoo Messenger, and my personal favorite - over the phone! I am committed to each student in this class, so if you need some extra help, please contact me ASAP.
I hope this list of objectives clarifies the "WHY?" question! Some folks go through classes while never truly understanding the point of their assignments. I will post this list a few more times before the end of the semester, just as a reminder of 'what it's all about'.
I hope you each have a fabulously happy Wednesday evening!
1). These objectives give you opportunity to see what other folks in the class are writing about and discussing.
2). Some of these assignments allows you to give your opinion about your colleagues writing.
3). The journal assignment will diversify your grading as the instructor is not the only one evaluating your work. This is a positive thing, you'll see!
4). Each of these assignments are intellectually challenging.
5). The assignments increases diversity in the class on multiple levels.
6). Each assignment provides meaningful feedback, not only from the instructor, but from others in the class, thus diversifying grading, and understanding!
7). The assignments establish an atmosphere of community and enhanced learning.
8). Reinforces relevant course material from a number of different perspectives.
9). Helps you analyze complex and abstract ideas as presented by others relating to course material/content.
10). Applies course content in a real-world setting.
As always, I am available to chat with you over email, Yahoo Messenger, and my personal favorite - over the phone! I am committed to each student in this class, so if you need some extra help, please contact me ASAP.
I hope this list of objectives clarifies the "WHY?" question! Some folks go through classes while never truly understanding the point of their assignments. I will post this list a few more times before the end of the semester, just as a reminder of 'what it's all about'.
I hope you each have a fabulously happy Wednesday evening!
Concept Application Paper
Hello All!
I just emailed out the revised version of the Concept Application Paper. I did not change the assignment at all, I merely attached the grading sheet to the assignment itself, so there is no confusion about how I will grade the paper.
It is my hope that each student earns an "A" on this assignment.
Please email me if you have any questions.
I just emailed out the revised version of the Concept Application Paper. I did not change the assignment at all, I merely attached the grading sheet to the assignment itself, so there is no confusion about how I will grade the paper.
It is my hope that each student earns an "A" on this assignment.
Please email me if you have any questions.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Week of November 15-21
Hello Class! I hope today finds you well. Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
*Read Chapter 11 - Communication and the Mass Media
*Participate in Week 13 discussion
*Start working on your final project in this course: The Concept Application Paper. Please review the grading rubric associated with this assignment before starting your paper. Your final paper is due on December 4th by 11:59pm.
*Complete your final Journal Entry. Your completed journal is due by Saturday, November 28th at 11:59pm. I will email out more direction about the Journal Assignment this week.
Class Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Have you made friendships that exist exclusively in cyberspace? If so, how are they different from f2f relationships? If you have not formed cyber relationships, why not?
2). Do you agree with Marshall McLuhan that the medium is the message, i.e. that the format or logic of a medium is as important as its content and, in fact, determines what content will be broadcast through that channel? Evaluate his idea that television is a cool medium.
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that we have not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs during this discussion week.
REMINDER: Thursday, November 19th is a furlough day. I will not hold office hours online on this day. However, I will be on campus and will be available to meet in person. If you would like to meet with me on Nov. 19th, please email me so we can schedule a time to chat. I would love to meet with each and every one of you, if you have time! :)
*Read Chapter 11 - Communication and the Mass Media
*Participate in Week 13 discussion
*Start working on your final project in this course: The Concept Application Paper. Please review the grading rubric associated with this assignment before starting your paper. Your final paper is due on December 4th by 11:59pm.
*Complete your final Journal Entry. Your completed journal is due by Saturday, November 28th at 11:59pm. I will email out more direction about the Journal Assignment this week.
Class Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Have you made friendships that exist exclusively in cyberspace? If so, how are they different from f2f relationships? If you have not formed cyber relationships, why not?
2). Do you agree with Marshall McLuhan that the medium is the message, i.e. that the format or logic of a medium is as important as its content and, in fact, determines what content will be broadcast through that channel? Evaluate his idea that television is a cool medium.
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that we have not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs during this discussion week.
REMINDER: Thursday, November 19th is a furlough day. I will not hold office hours online on this day. However, I will be on campus and will be available to meet in person. If you would like to meet with me on Nov. 19th, please email me so we can schedule a time to chat. I would love to meet with each and every one of you, if you have time! :)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Returning Papers
Hello Class!
I am working to finish the last group of papers today. I am racing against the clock to get them done tonight, before the looming furlough days coming up. You should expect to receive your papers (if you haven't already), late tonight.
If there are any questions or concerns about your paper/grade, please let me know. We can schedule a phone conference, chat over Yahoo Messenger or through email. I am very open to chatting with you about the assignments in this course. My goal is open communication, and this being the first paper returned to you since the first paper was canceled, you may have some questions. Please DO NOT hesitate to ask if there is any ambiguity or confusion.
We're all in this together! :)
I am working to finish the last group of papers today. I am racing against the clock to get them done tonight, before the looming furlough days coming up. You should expect to receive your papers (if you haven't already), late tonight.
If there are any questions or concerns about your paper/grade, please let me know. We can schedule a phone conference, chat over Yahoo Messenger or through email. I am very open to chatting with you about the assignments in this course. My goal is open communication, and this being the first paper returned to you since the first paper was canceled, you may have some questions. Please DO NOT hesitate to ask if there is any ambiguity or confusion.
We're all in this together! :)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Week of November 8-14
Hello Class! Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
*Read Chapter 8 - Organizational Communication.
*Discussion for this week is canceled due to furloughs.
*There is a quiz this week on Chapters 6 & 8, so please log onto Blackboard to take the quiz. Remember, you have 20 minutes to complete your quiz.
Reminders:
1). There are two furlough days this week - November 12th and 13th. I will not be conducting University business on those two days.
2). Your papers will be returned mid-week. I will start returning them on Monday, and continue to return them through Wednesday. If furloughs interfere with returning the papers I will notify you through email.
*Read Chapter 8 - Organizational Communication.
*Discussion for this week is canceled due to furloughs.
*There is a quiz this week on Chapters 6 & 8, so please log onto Blackboard to take the quiz. Remember, you have 20 minutes to complete your quiz.
Reminders:
1). There are two furlough days this week - November 12th and 13th. I will not be conducting University business on those two days.
2). Your papers will be returned mid-week. I will start returning them on Monday, and continue to return them through Wednesday. If furloughs interfere with returning the papers I will notify you through email.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Grades Posted for 10/18-10/24
Hello All!
I have posted grades for the week of October 18th-24th. Please look at your score and email me if you have any questions.
I really enjoyed reading the posts for that week. Some folks had some very insightful thoughts. I also really enjoyed reading the comments for that week. It seems like the class is interacting well with agreeing, disagreeing and adding to the thoughts and opinions of others. This is exciting for me because you are all highlighting your diversity, yet interacting with each other respectfully. There is a certain richness that comes from interacting with each other, rather than just the instructor.
Good job!!!! :)
I have posted grades for the week of October 18th-24th. Please look at your score and email me if you have any questions.
I really enjoyed reading the posts for that week. Some folks had some very insightful thoughts. I also really enjoyed reading the comments for that week. It seems like the class is interacting well with agreeing, disagreeing and adding to the thoughts and opinions of others. This is exciting for me because you are all highlighting your diversity, yet interacting with each other respectfully. There is a certain richness that comes from interacting with each other, rather than just the instructor.
Good job!!!! :)
Early Bird Posts
Hello All! Here is a list of folks who have blogged already this week. Go ahead and stop by their blog to get a start on your comments for the week.
1986dman
Rena
addicted2shopping
Katla
Chivista
Tulip's Blog
Ibirapuera
marikamania
Let's congratulate these folks for getting an early start! Good job!!!!!
1986dman
Rena
addicted2shopping
Katla
Chivista
Tulip's Blog
Ibirapuera
marikamania
Let's congratulate these folks for getting an early start! Good job!!!!!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Week of November 1-7
Hello Class! Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
*Read Chapter 6, Interpersonal Communication.
*Participate in Week 13 discussion.
*Complete Journal #4.
Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Which pattern (rigid complementarity, competitive symmetry, or submissive symmetry) do you think would be the most difficult to change? Why? Which would be the most damaging to a relationship? Which would be the most potentially damaging to the self-esteem of the individuals involved?
2). Think about the filters you use to eliminate people from consideration as potential romantic partners. What characteristics or behaviours lead you to judge others as unattractive? Does Duck's theory make sense to you? Have you ever eliminated someone by using a sociological or pre-interaction cue only to reconsider them based on interaction and cognitive cues?
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that we have no already discussed, that you found useful or interesting, and discuss it.
***Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs.
REMINDER: November 5th is a furlough day. I will not be conducting any University business on this day.
*Read Chapter 6, Interpersonal Communication.
*Participate in Week 13 discussion.
*Complete Journal #4.
Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Which pattern (rigid complementarity, competitive symmetry, or submissive symmetry) do you think would be the most difficult to change? Why? Which would be the most damaging to a relationship? Which would be the most potentially damaging to the self-esteem of the individuals involved?
2). Think about the filters you use to eliminate people from consideration as potential romantic partners. What characteristics or behaviours lead you to judge others as unattractive? Does Duck's theory make sense to you? Have you ever eliminated someone by using a sociological or pre-interaction cue only to reconsider them based on interaction and cognitive cues?
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that we have no already discussed, that you found useful or interesting, and discuss it.
***Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs.
REMINDER: November 5th is a furlough day. I will not be conducting any University business on this day.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Paper Submission
I will respond to each of your emails that contain your papers at some point tomorrow. It may be tomorrow night, as I will be away from my computer almost all day.
I hope each of you have a safe and enjoyable Halloween tomorrow.
UPDATE: I emailed each person this morning at approximately 6am on Oct. 31st confirming your paper submission. If you turned your paper in early, you would have received a confirmation email prior to this.
I hope each of you have a safe and enjoyable Halloween tomorrow.
UPDATE: I emailed each person this morning at approximately 6am on Oct. 31st confirming your paper submission. If you turned your paper in early, you would have received a confirmation email prior to this.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Impressive
Hello Class!
I had to take a minute to let you know how impressed I am. I have never had quite as many papers turned in so early before. Good job!!!!!
:)
Carol
I had to take a minute to let you know how impressed I am. I have never had quite as many papers turned in so early before. Good job!!!!!
:)
Carol
Monday, October 26, 2009
Cultural Event Paper Reminders
Hello Class!
I have already started receiving submissions for the Cultural Event Paper. As a reminder, please review the link called "Assign#2 - Cultural Event Rubric" located on the "Projects" page on Blackboard. This is how I will be evaluating your essays. Remember, I strive for total transparency when it comes to grading in this course. If there are ever any questions, please email me for clarification. I'm always here to help!
Also, please review the assignment sheet one last time before turning in your papers to make sure you have included everything required. There are two pages to the assignment sheet, so make sure you look at BOTH pages.
I look forward to receiving your papers, no later than 11:59pm on Friday, October 30th.
I have already started receiving submissions for the Cultural Event Paper. As a reminder, please review the link called "Assign#2 - Cultural Event Rubric" located on the "Projects" page on Blackboard. This is how I will be evaluating your essays. Remember, I strive for total transparency when it comes to grading in this course. If there are ever any questions, please email me for clarification. I'm always here to help!
Also, please review the assignment sheet one last time before turning in your papers to make sure you have included everything required. There are two pages to the assignment sheet, so make sure you look at BOTH pages.
I look forward to receiving your papers, no later than 11:59pm on Friday, October 30th.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Week of October 25-31
Here is what's listed on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
*Read Chapter 7
*Quiz on Blackboard (Chapters 7 & 12)
*Cultural Event Paper due by Friday, October 30th by 11:59pm. (Please review the grading rubric on Blackboard BEFORE turning in your assignment).
*Read Chapter 7
*Quiz on Blackboard (Chapters 7 & 12)
*Cultural Event Paper due by Friday, October 30th by 11:59pm. (Please review the grading rubric on Blackboard BEFORE turning in your assignment).
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Cultural Event Paper
Hello Class!
The deadline is fast approaching for the Cultural Event Paper. I hope you have had a good time at your chosen events so far.
As a reminder, there is a grading rubric on Blackboard located on the Handouts Page. It is called "CulturalEventRubric". This is the exact rubric I will use to grade your papers. Please look over it before turning in your final drafts - it will help you tremendously.
Also, use your Pocket Wadsworth Handbook for writing tips and follow the principles contained within that little book. It is amazingly helpful! (You can also go to the Writing Center on campus. Those guys are extremely helpful as well.)
I strive for absolute transparency when it comes to grading in this course. There should be no surprises or ambiguity about my grading practices if you look over the rubrics for the course projects (Cultural Event Paper, Concept Application Paper and Journal Assignment). If there is any residual ambiguity, please let me know and I would be more than happy to clarify anything that is unclear. I'm here to help! :)
The deadline is fast approaching for the Cultural Event Paper. I hope you have had a good time at your chosen events so far.
As a reminder, there is a grading rubric on Blackboard located on the Handouts Page. It is called "CulturalEventRubric". This is the exact rubric I will use to grade your papers. Please look over it before turning in your final drafts - it will help you tremendously.
Also, use your Pocket Wadsworth Handbook for writing tips and follow the principles contained within that little book. It is amazingly helpful! (You can also go to the Writing Center on campus. Those guys are extremely helpful as well.)
I strive for absolute transparency when it comes to grading in this course. There should be no surprises or ambiguity about my grading practices if you look over the rubrics for the course projects (Cultural Event Paper, Concept Application Paper and Journal Assignment). If there is any residual ambiguity, please let me know and I would be more than happy to clarify anything that is unclear. I'm here to help! :)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Midterm
Hello Folks!
I am very please with the results from the midterm. Overall, your scores were higher than I expected - y'all are AWESOME!!!!! :)
A couple of people emailed me about one of the questions on the midterm. Since most people got the question wrong, I omitted it from the midterm.
If you check your score on the midterm you will notice that 4 points have been added to your original score. I added 2 points for the omitted question, and another 2 points to round out the curve. I normally do not grade on a curve, but I thought it was appropriate in this situation. So as a little gift to each of you, I have added 4 points to your midterm grades.
Let me know if you have any questions!
I am very please with the results from the midterm. Overall, your scores were higher than I expected - y'all are AWESOME!!!!! :)
A couple of people emailed me about one of the questions on the midterm. Since most people got the question wrong, I omitted it from the midterm.
If you check your score on the midterm you will notice that 4 points have been added to your original score. I added 2 points for the omitted question, and another 2 points to round out the curve. I normally do not grade on a curve, but I thought it was appropriate in this situation. So as a little gift to each of you, I have added 4 points to your midterm grades.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Early Bird Posts
Hello All! Here is a list of folks who have blogged already this week. Go ahead and stop by their blog to get a start on your comments for the week.
Rbros
CrushedVelvet23
GCL
1986dman
Rena
nessaw27
marikamania
Let's congratulate these folks for getting an early start! Good job!!!!!
Rbros
CrushedVelvet23
GCL
1986dman
Rena
nessaw27
marikamania
Let's congratulate these folks for getting an early start! Good job!!!!!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Week of October 18-24
Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week, along with a reminder at the end of the post:
*Read Chapter 12 - Intercultural Communication
*Participate in Week 9 Discussion
*Work on Journal #3
Class Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Do you agree with anthropologist Ruth Benedict that we are "creatures of our culture" and that our habits, beliefs, and impossibilities are shaped by our culture? If so, how can we break through the limits of our cultures?
2). Do you believe in the rationality, perfectibility, and mutability premises? What social institutions and practices are based on these beliefs?
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that has not already been discussed during this discussion week, that you found useful or interesting, and discuss it.
Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs during this discussion week.
REMINDER: Your Cultural Event Paper is due next Friday, October 30th by 11:59pm. I need to approve ALL events prior to attendance, so please email me with your choice of event if you have not done so already. Any papers received without a prior approval will receive a grade deduction.
*Read Chapter 12 - Intercultural Communication
*Participate in Week 9 Discussion
*Work on Journal #3
Class Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Do you agree with anthropologist Ruth Benedict that we are "creatures of our culture" and that our habits, beliefs, and impossibilities are shaped by our culture? If so, how can we break through the limits of our cultures?
2). Do you believe in the rationality, perfectibility, and mutability premises? What social institutions and practices are based on these beliefs?
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that has not already been discussed during this discussion week, that you found useful or interesting, and discuss it.
Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs during this discussion week.
REMINDER: Your Cultural Event Paper is due next Friday, October 30th by 11:59pm. I need to approve ALL events prior to attendance, so please email me with your choice of event if you have not done so already. Any papers received without a prior approval will receive a grade deduction.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Office Hours Reminder
Hello Class!
I will be holding office hours today from 10am to 11am on Yahoo Messenger. I will be online quite a bit more than that today, on and off. If you see me on Yahoo Messenger, I am available to chat.
Let me know if you have any questions about the coming Cultural Event Assignment, midterm, or Journal Assignment.
I hope you all stay well on this wonderfully stormy and windy day! Stay warm, dry and safe today!
UPDATE!!!! It's about 10am right now and I'm actively on Yahoo Messenger. The wind is blowing really hard and the power might go out (I am not on campus in case you were wondering). If the power goes out, which is highly likely where I live, I will be unable to complete my office hours within the allotted time - but will be checking my email regularly when the power is on. I'm crossing my fingers that the power will stay on. :)
I will be holding office hours today from 10am to 11am on Yahoo Messenger. I will be online quite a bit more than that today, on and off. If you see me on Yahoo Messenger, I am available to chat.
Let me know if you have any questions about the coming Cultural Event Assignment, midterm, or Journal Assignment.
I hope you all stay well on this wonderfully stormy and windy day! Stay warm, dry and safe today!
UPDATE!!!! It's about 10am right now and I'm actively on Yahoo Messenger. The wind is blowing really hard and the power might go out (I am not on campus in case you were wondering). If the power goes out, which is highly likely where I live, I will be unable to complete my office hours within the allotted time - but will be checking my email regularly when the power is on. I'm crossing my fingers that the power will stay on. :)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Week of October 11-17
Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
Midterm Examination on Blackboard. Please log into Blackboard during the week of October 11th-October 17th to take the midterm exam. The midterm covers Chapters 1-5 & 9-10. A study guide of terms is available on Blackboard, so download that and use it to guide your study sessions. The midterm is open book, open notes. Please DO NOT share answers, give assistance or accept assistance from others, or reveal test answers/questions.
Please plan ahead to take the midterm. Your midterm must be submitted prior to 11:59pm on Oct 17th. It is highly suggested that you take the midterm early in case you run into any technical difficulties.
You will have 75 minutes to complete the 50 question test. MAKE SURE you submit your test PRIOR to the end of the 75 minute time frame - watch the clock carefully!!!! Any questions that are submitted after the 75 minute time period will be disqualified from the exam and deducted from your total test score.
Good luck on the midterm! :)
As a reminder: The Cultural Event Paper is due on Oct 30th. It is required that I approve each Cultural Event PRIOR to the attendance of the event, and of course prior to the paper's due date. Please make sure to email me with the event you would like to attend for approval if you have not done so already.
Midterm Examination on Blackboard. Please log into Blackboard during the week of October 11th-October 17th to take the midterm exam. The midterm covers Chapters 1-5 & 9-10. A study guide of terms is available on Blackboard, so download that and use it to guide your study sessions. The midterm is open book, open notes. Please DO NOT share answers, give assistance or accept assistance from others, or reveal test answers/questions.
Please plan ahead to take the midterm. Your midterm must be submitted prior to 11:59pm on Oct 17th. It is highly suggested that you take the midterm early in case you run into any technical difficulties.
You will have 75 minutes to complete the 50 question test. MAKE SURE you submit your test PRIOR to the end of the 75 minute time frame - watch the clock carefully!!!! Any questions that are submitted after the 75 minute time period will be disqualified from the exam and deducted from your total test score.
Good luck on the midterm! :)
As a reminder: The Cultural Event Paper is due on Oct 30th. It is required that I approve each Cultural Event PRIOR to the attendance of the event, and of course prior to the paper's due date. Please make sure to email me with the event you would like to attend for approval if you have not done so already.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Grades are posted
Hello Class!
I have posted grades for the discussion week of Sept. 27 - Oct. 3. Please look over your grade and let me know if you have any questions.
Grading in this course should be fairly straightforward and fair to every student, however, if there are any questions about grading please email me for clarification. I am always here in case something is ambiguous or unclear.
Reminder: Tomorrow is a scheduled furlough day.
I have posted grades for the discussion week of Sept. 27 - Oct. 3. Please look over your grade and let me know if you have any questions.
Grading in this course should be fairly straightforward and fair to every student, however, if there are any questions about grading please email me for clarification. I am always here in case something is ambiguous or unclear.
Reminder: Tomorrow is a scheduled furlough day.
Chapter Outlines Posted
As a reminder, Chapter Outlines for the entire semester have already been uploaded to Blackboard. If you would like to review them, or print them out, they are located on the "Handouts" page.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Early Bird Posts
Hello All! Here is a list of folks who have blogged already this week. Go ahead and stop by their blog to get a start on your comments for the week.
Kolby
jrmcomm105
Rena
Commeleon
1986dman
marikamania
Ibirapuera
Rbros
Let's congratulate these folks for getting an early start! Good job!!!!!
Kolby
jrmcomm105
Rena
Commeleon
1986dman
marikamania
Ibirapuera
Rbros
Let's congratulate these folks for getting an early start! Good job!!!!!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Nonverbal Communication
I am very excited about this week's discussion. These are the weeks I wish I could talk to you all face to face so we could really get into a deep discussion about nonverbal communication and share what we have learned through our reading, and of course through our life experiences. While I was in school I participated in a Nonverbal Research Study as a research assistant, which was quite interesting. Although the statistics in that particular research study did not prove to be significant, my conjecture was that the sample size was too small.
Now that you are probably asking, "What was the study about?"....I'll tell you briefly in case you are interested. Dr. Tim Hegstrom who is the Dean of Social Sciences at this point in his career, videotaped dyads to see if their body positioning matched each other during the course of their 10 minute conversation. Most of the participants did have matching body language at some point in the discussion (An example of this would be where one person crosses their arm, and the other follows shortly after. This could either be matching or mirroring with body positioning with legs, arms, etc...). I analyzed the videos one by one (I think there were 50 or so 10 minute videos) and recorded their body positioning to reflect matching, mirroring, or no correlation at all. I stopped the video every minute and recorded their body positions. Like I said, when we ran the statistics through SPSS (a statistical database), the results were not significant. But, had the research been done a bit differently, it absolutely would have produced statistically significant results. Had it proved significant, we probably would have been published in a Communication Journal, but alas, it was not written in the stars. :)
Needless to say, Nonverbal Communication interests me quite a bit. My husband's family is constantly trying to figure out if I'm analyzing them. Just this past weekend, one of his family members looked over to a few people and asked me what their body language was saying. Of course this sparked a very interesting conversation between a few people, myself included.
Have fun with this weeks discussion, and don't forget to download the midterm study sheet from Blackboard to prepare for your midterm next week.
Now that you are probably asking, "What was the study about?"....I'll tell you briefly in case you are interested. Dr. Tim Hegstrom who is the Dean of Social Sciences at this point in his career, videotaped dyads to see if their body positioning matched each other during the course of their 10 minute conversation. Most of the participants did have matching body language at some point in the discussion (An example of this would be where one person crosses their arm, and the other follows shortly after. This could either be matching or mirroring with body positioning with legs, arms, etc...). I analyzed the videos one by one (I think there were 50 or so 10 minute videos) and recorded their body positioning to reflect matching, mirroring, or no correlation at all. I stopped the video every minute and recorded their body positions. Like I said, when we ran the statistics through SPSS (a statistical database), the results were not significant. But, had the research been done a bit differently, it absolutely would have produced statistically significant results. Had it proved significant, we probably would have been published in a Communication Journal, but alas, it was not written in the stars. :)
Needless to say, Nonverbal Communication interests me quite a bit. My husband's family is constantly trying to figure out if I'm analyzing them. Just this past weekend, one of his family members looked over to a few people and asked me what their body language was saying. Of course this sparked a very interesting conversation between a few people, myself included.
Have fun with this weeks discussion, and don't forget to download the midterm study sheet from Blackboard to prepare for your midterm next week.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Week of October 4-10
Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
*Read Chapter 5: Encoding Messages: Nonverbal Communication
*Reminder, your midterm exam is due next week. Please print out the Midterm Review sheet from Blackboard.
*Start working on Journal #2! (I will post the evaluation sheet this week, so be sure to look at that and tailor your entries accordingly. I will post a note on my blog when that sheet is uploaded.)
Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Because nonverbal messages can be ambiguous, they are open to misinterpretation. Have you ever been wrong about the meaning of someones nonverbal message? Describe what happened. How can people increase the accuracy with which they interpret nonverbal message?
2). Although nonverbal messages are more universal than verbal messages, nonverbals do not always carry the same meanings in other cultures. Can you give examples of some of the nonverbal displays that take on different meanings in other countries? If you have moved around within this country, have you ever encountered regional differences in nonverbal meaning?
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that has not already been discussed this week, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs during this weeks discussion.
REMINDER: October 8th is a furlough day. I will not hold office hours, answer emails or conduct other SJSU business on that day.
*Read Chapter 5: Encoding Messages: Nonverbal Communication
*Reminder, your midterm exam is due next week. Please print out the Midterm Review sheet from Blackboard.
*Start working on Journal #2! (I will post the evaluation sheet this week, so be sure to look at that and tailor your entries accordingly. I will post a note on my blog when that sheet is uploaded.)
Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Because nonverbal messages can be ambiguous, they are open to misinterpretation. Have you ever been wrong about the meaning of someones nonverbal message? Describe what happened. How can people increase the accuracy with which they interpret nonverbal message?
2). Although nonverbal messages are more universal than verbal messages, nonverbals do not always carry the same meanings in other cultures. Can you give examples of some of the nonverbal displays that take on different meanings in other countries? If you have moved around within this country, have you ever encountered regional differences in nonverbal meaning?
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that has not already been discussed this week, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs during this weeks discussion.
REMINDER: October 8th is a furlough day. I will not hold office hours, answer emails or conduct other SJSU business on that day.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Listening in Action
Every time I read through Chapter 3 I am reminded of a very important process - Paraphrasing. This concept is part of Empathic Listening as discussed on page 60-61. I love this concept for a few reasons, but mostly because I try to practice this continually with family, friends, loved ones and even students. I think it's very important that people feel like they are heard, especially those folks who have close relationships.
I have found that most students think they practice Empathic Listening, but most listen for other reasons. Some folks listen just long enough to gain enough ammunition to fight back, but never really hear what the other person is saying. Deconstructing messages, and really trying to hear the other person is quite important when in a discussion, and even more important when two people disagree. Of course each party wants to be heard, but as I mentioned, a lot of folks listen just long enough to find something that they are able to respond to. Some folks do not listen at all, rather formulate what they are going to say next while the other person is expressing how they feel.
Have you ever actively engaged in paraphrasing when in a discussion? If so, what was the outcome of the situation?
There are many other interesting concepts that are covered in Chapter 3 such as, Improving Attention, Improving Interpretation, Improving Evaluation, Improving Responses and Improving Storage and Retrieval. Of course other sub-concepts in this chapter are really interesting as well such as Person Prototypes (page 51) and Responding (page 61).
At the beginning of every semester in my f2f (face to face) classes I discuss the idea that "One cannot not communicate". (I am not a big fan of Wikkipedia, but here is a link to Paul Watzlawick's page which describes his five (5) basic axioms. A quick read, and interesting if you have never heard about Watzlawick). Back to my point: On page 61 it talks about this very idea. It says, "...you are always responding in some way to the people around you, whether you are saying anything or not". Messages are constantly being sent by you and by those around you. I try to explain this to students by using their body language during a long lecture as an example. What does it say to an instructor when you lean back in your chair, are staring out the window, or my personal favorite - drawing pictures when you should be engaged in the lecture or discussion? Is this a message you would like to send? Or is this a byproduct of boredom?
In short, Chapter 3 is pretty cool for a number of reasons. It really breaks down the listening process and points out how we can improve this process if we pay a little more attention to our behavior.
What do you think about this chapter?
I have found that most students think they practice Empathic Listening, but most listen for other reasons. Some folks listen just long enough to gain enough ammunition to fight back, but never really hear what the other person is saying. Deconstructing messages, and really trying to hear the other person is quite important when in a discussion, and even more important when two people disagree. Of course each party wants to be heard, but as I mentioned, a lot of folks listen just long enough to find something that they are able to respond to. Some folks do not listen at all, rather formulate what they are going to say next while the other person is expressing how they feel.
Have you ever actively engaged in paraphrasing when in a discussion? If so, what was the outcome of the situation?
There are many other interesting concepts that are covered in Chapter 3 such as, Improving Attention, Improving Interpretation, Improving Evaluation, Improving Responses and Improving Storage and Retrieval. Of course other sub-concepts in this chapter are really interesting as well such as Person Prototypes (page 51) and Responding (page 61).
At the beginning of every semester in my f2f (face to face) classes I discuss the idea that "One cannot not communicate". (I am not a big fan of Wikkipedia, but here is a link to Paul Watzlawick's page which describes his five (5) basic axioms. A quick read, and interesting if you have never heard about Watzlawick). Back to my point: On page 61 it talks about this very idea. It says, "...you are always responding in some way to the people around you, whether you are saying anything or not". Messages are constantly being sent by you and by those around you. I try to explain this to students by using their body language during a long lecture as an example. What does it say to an instructor when you lean back in your chair, are staring out the window, or my personal favorite - drawing pictures when you should be engaged in the lecture or discussion? Is this a message you would like to send? Or is this a byproduct of boredom?
In short, Chapter 3 is pretty cool for a number of reasons. It really breaks down the listening process and points out how we can improve this process if we pay a little more attention to our behavior.
What do you think about this chapter?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Early Bird Posts
Hello All! Here is a list of folks who have blogged already this week. Go ahead and stop by their blog to get a start on your comments for the week.
marikamania
GCL
Kolby
Ibirapuera
Let's congratulate these folks for getting an early start! Good job!!!!!
marikamania
GCL
Kolby
Ibirapuera
Let's congratulate these folks for getting an early start! Good job!!!!!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Week of September 27-October 3
Hello Class!
Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
1). Read Chapter 3 - Listening and Perception & Chapter 4 - Encoding Messages: Spoken Language
2). Review the details of Assignment #2 - Cultural Event Paper. Email me by Friday, October 2nd @ 11:59pm for event approval.
3). Participate in the class discussion this week:
Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Is it possible to perceive others without judging or categorizing them? If so, how? If not, how can we make the judgments we do make, more fair?
2). Do you agree that men and women use language differently? In what areas?
3). Pick on concept from the assigned reading, not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs.
Looking Ahead
*Journal Entry #2 should be completed next week. Please click on the Label "Journal Tips" on the right hand side of my blog. Clicking on that will bring up all posts related to the Journal Assignment that I have posted so far. Pay particular attention to THIS post. Reminder: All journal entries will be due on November 28th @ 11:59pm. The week of November 28th is Thanksgiving week. You may submit your journals early if you are going to be out of town.
*Midterm - Our midterm is scheduled for the week of October 11th - 17th. Go ahead and start studying for that. It will cover Chapters 1-5, 9&10.
*Cultural Event Project - This project is due by October 30th @ 11:59pm. You will submit this project through email. Be sure to plan ahead so you can submit your paper by the deadline.
Personal Note:
I am very excited about the content of the course for the next few discussion weeks. Actually, I love the content of the course in general, but this week and next week are very interesting to me. I will post to my blog about a concept or two from the chapters this week, so look out for that post.
Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
1). Read Chapter 3 - Listening and Perception & Chapter 4 - Encoding Messages: Spoken Language
2). Review the details of Assignment #2 - Cultural Event Paper. Email me by Friday, October 2nd @ 11:59pm for event approval.
3). Participate in the class discussion this week:
Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Is it possible to perceive others without judging or categorizing them? If so, how? If not, how can we make the judgments we do make, more fair?
2). Do you agree that men and women use language differently? In what areas?
3). Pick on concept from the assigned reading, not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs.
Looking Ahead
*Journal Entry #2 should be completed next week. Please click on the Label "Journal Tips" on the right hand side of my blog. Clicking on that will bring up all posts related to the Journal Assignment that I have posted so far. Pay particular attention to THIS post. Reminder: All journal entries will be due on November 28th @ 11:59pm. The week of November 28th is Thanksgiving week. You may submit your journals early if you are going to be out of town.
*Midterm - Our midterm is scheduled for the week of October 11th - 17th. Go ahead and start studying for that. It will cover Chapters 1-5, 9&10.
*Cultural Event Project - This project is due by October 30th @ 11:59pm. You will submit this project through email. Be sure to plan ahead so you can submit your paper by the deadline.
Personal Note:
I am very excited about the content of the course for the next few discussion weeks. Actually, I love the content of the course in general, but this week and next week are very interesting to me. I will post to my blog about a concept or two from the chapters this week, so look out for that post.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Journal Assignments
Hello Class!
There seems to be some lingering confusion about the Journal Assignment. Please read over THIS post, and THIS post again.
There is also a label on my blog, lower right hand side called "Journal Tips". Anytime I post about the Journal Assignment I will label it so you don't have to search my blog.
To summarize, all Journal Entries (all 5) will be due on the same day - Saturday, November 28th. On this date you will compile all of you journal entries and email them to me. I will briefly look over them and then email them to each member of your group (I have not assigned groups yet). Once you have received your classmates journal entries, you will have a couple of weeks to evaluate them and return them back to me. Once they are returned to me, I will look over the evaluations, compile them, and return your journal entries back to you with feedback from your group members and an assigned grade.
Let me know if there are more questions about this! :)
There seems to be some lingering confusion about the Journal Assignment. Please read over THIS post, and THIS post again.
There is also a label on my blog, lower right hand side called "Journal Tips". Anytime I post about the Journal Assignment I will label it so you don't have to search my blog.
To summarize, all Journal Entries (all 5) will be due on the same day - Saturday, November 28th. On this date you will compile all of you journal entries and email them to me. I will briefly look over them and then email them to each member of your group (I have not assigned groups yet). Once you have received your classmates journal entries, you will have a couple of weeks to evaluate them and return them back to me. Once they are returned to me, I will look over the evaluations, compile them, and return your journal entries back to you with feedback from your group members and an assigned grade.
Let me know if there are more questions about this! :)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Office Hours Reminder
Hello Class!
As a reminder, you can chat with me in real time on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 10am to 11am. I'm usually on Yahoo Messenger quite a bit more than that, so if you see me on and want to chat, just pop in. I love chatting with students no matter the hour! Sometimes I'm on Yahoo pretty late.
You are more than welcome to chat with me about anything. It is my hope that this class is completely transparent and that there is no ambiguity. So if there is ever a question about, well, anything, please email me or pop in to chat.
I have very much enjoyed meeting some of you on Yahoo Messenger, and chatting over email. I hope to get to know the rest of you better as time moves on in the class.
ON CAMPUS!!! I will be on campus tomorrow from about 11am to 4pm. I will not be in my office the whole time, but if you want to stop by and say hi, let me know what time you will be around and I will tell you where I'll be on campus. I spend most of my time in the HGH building, but will be in a few different places tomorrow.
As a reminder, you can chat with me in real time on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 10am to 11am. I'm usually on Yahoo Messenger quite a bit more than that, so if you see me on and want to chat, just pop in. I love chatting with students no matter the hour! Sometimes I'm on Yahoo pretty late.
You are more than welcome to chat with me about anything. It is my hope that this class is completely transparent and that there is no ambiguity. So if there is ever a question about, well, anything, please email me or pop in to chat.
I have very much enjoyed meeting some of you on Yahoo Messenger, and chatting over email. I hope to get to know the rest of you better as time moves on in the class.
ON CAMPUS!!! I will be on campus tomorrow from about 11am to 4pm. I will not be in my office the whole time, but if you want to stop by and say hi, let me know what time you will be around and I will tell you where I'll be on campus. I spend most of my time in the HGH building, but will be in a few different places tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Quiz Reminder
Hello Class!
I am very pleased that some of you have found the list of Cultural Events useful. If possible, please try to contribute to the class community by finding an approved event so others in the class have more options.
As a reminder, there is a quiz this week. You should log into Blackboard and click on Assessments on the left. You should see that Quiz 2 is available. Please click on the quiz once you are ready to start.
***You are more than welcome to use your book, any of the chapter outlines that are posted on Blackboard and even the Powerpoint Slides I have posted.***
You should submit your quiz before the 20 minute time limit. Any questions submitted after the 20 minute time limit will not count in your quiz grade, so watch your time carefully.
If you want to get a head start on the discussion questions for next week, the questions are located on the Participation Page on Blackboard. If you get a head start, please post within the time limit (starting Sunday at 12:01am), and not early.
I'm always available to answer questions for you - just email, catch me on Yahoo Messenger or if you'd like, we can chat on the phone. (I like chatting with students over the phone because it actually puts the 'person' back into the equation. Sometimes folks forget there really is a person on the other end of the computer).
Have a fabulously wonderful day everyone!!! :)
I am very pleased that some of you have found the list of Cultural Events useful. If possible, please try to contribute to the class community by finding an approved event so others in the class have more options.
As a reminder, there is a quiz this week. You should log into Blackboard and click on Assessments on the left. You should see that Quiz 2 is available. Please click on the quiz once you are ready to start.
***You are more than welcome to use your book, any of the chapter outlines that are posted on Blackboard and even the Powerpoint Slides I have posted.***
You should submit your quiz before the 20 minute time limit. Any questions submitted after the 20 minute time limit will not count in your quiz grade, so watch your time carefully.
If you want to get a head start on the discussion questions for next week, the questions are located on the Participation Page on Blackboard. If you get a head start, please post within the time limit (starting Sunday at 12:01am), and not early.
I'm always available to answer questions for you - just email, catch me on Yahoo Messenger or if you'd like, we can chat on the phone. (I like chatting with students over the phone because it actually puts the 'person' back into the equation. Sometimes folks forget there really is a person on the other end of the computer).
Have a fabulously wonderful day everyone!!! :)
Monday, September 21, 2009
Approved Cultural Events
Hello Class! Below I have listed some events that have already been approved. It should be your goal to contribute to the class by finding a cultural event of your own so I can post it to the class blog. When you get a chance, please send me your cultural event choice for approval.
San Jose Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival - Sept. 20-27
Spirit of Japantown Festival - Sept. 26
Italian Heritage Parade/Festival - Oct. 11
Polish Festival/Church Service - Date unknown
Jazz Festival - Sept. 26
Oktoberfest - Oct. 17-18
And finally, here is an extensive list of Festivals in California! You might find something interesting in that list. :)
Please see the assignment sheet located on the Handouts Page for more detail of possible ideas for the Cultural Event Paper.
As a reminder, tomorrow is another furlough day. I will be offline all day and I will not hold office hours, nor will I be available to answer email, unfortunately.
San Jose Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival - Sept. 20-27
Spirit of Japantown Festival - Sept. 26
Italian Heritage Parade/Festival - Oct. 11
Polish Festival/Church Service - Date unknown
Jazz Festival - Sept. 26
Oktoberfest - Oct. 17-18
And finally, here is an extensive list of Festivals in California! You might find something interesting in that list. :)
Please see the assignment sheet located on the Handouts Page for more detail of possible ideas for the Cultural Event Paper.
As a reminder, tomorrow is another furlough day. I will be offline all day and I will not hold office hours, nor will I be available to answer email, unfortunately.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Week of September 20-26
Here is what's on the schedule for this week:
1). Read Chapter 10
2). Complete the Quiz on Chapters 9 & 10 on Blackboard
3). There is no discussion this week.
4). Assignment #1 (Public Speech Critique) has been canceled due to furloughs. Please DO NOT complete this assignment.
Personal Note: I know I have mentioned this before, but I am highly disappointed with the scheduled furloughs this semester. The content of our discussions that have been canceled and our first assignment (Public Speech Critique) that has been canceled is some of my very FAVORITE material in this course. Of course there are other weeks such as the week we cover Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural Communication, Small Group Communication and Nonverbal Communication which are equally exciting! In fact, Nonverbal Communication is a HUGE interest of mine, but I will discuss that more on my blog as that discussion week approaches. I love the discussion for that week. Nonetheless, I feel like our class is missing something big because of the canceled discussions and assignments. My love for this course runs deep and I get very excited when folks start blogging about the discussion questions for a given week. I know, I know - you can call me a communication nerd, but I have to admit, I love communication studies.
For your benefit, you are more than welcome to watch the videos that I have chosen for the first assignment. Of course there is no credit associated with watching the videos, but they are interesting. I have found that most students have not yet watched the MLK video in its entirety, rather they have seen the last 6 minutes or so. Billy Graham, Ronald Regan and Mary Fischer also have videos that are equally interesting. Here are the links in case you want to view the videos:
Billy Graham
Martin Luther King Jr.
Ronald Reagan (this is an audio only speech)
Mary Fischer
Again, reviewing these speeches is optional since this assignment has been canceled. They are beneficial to you as a student and considering my love for all things public speaking, I had to offer the opportunity to review them. I hope you all like these speeches as much as I do, should you choose to review them.
Until later.....
1). Read Chapter 10
2). Complete the Quiz on Chapters 9 & 10 on Blackboard
3). There is no discussion this week.
4). Assignment #1 (Public Speech Critique) has been canceled due to furloughs. Please DO NOT complete this assignment.
Personal Note: I know I have mentioned this before, but I am highly disappointed with the scheduled furloughs this semester. The content of our discussions that have been canceled and our first assignment (Public Speech Critique) that has been canceled is some of my very FAVORITE material in this course. Of course there are other weeks such as the week we cover Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural Communication, Small Group Communication and Nonverbal Communication which are equally exciting! In fact, Nonverbal Communication is a HUGE interest of mine, but I will discuss that more on my blog as that discussion week approaches. I love the discussion for that week. Nonetheless, I feel like our class is missing something big because of the canceled discussions and assignments. My love for this course runs deep and I get very excited when folks start blogging about the discussion questions for a given week. I know, I know - you can call me a communication nerd, but I have to admit, I love communication studies.
For your benefit, you are more than welcome to watch the videos that I have chosen for the first assignment. Of course there is no credit associated with watching the videos, but they are interesting. I have found that most students have not yet watched the MLK video in its entirety, rather they have seen the last 6 minutes or so. Billy Graham, Ronald Regan and Mary Fischer also have videos that are equally interesting. Here are the links in case you want to view the videos:
Billy Graham
Martin Luther King Jr.
Ronald Reagan (this is an audio only speech)
Mary Fischer
Again, reviewing these speeches is optional since this assignment has been canceled. They are beneficial to you as a student and considering my love for all things public speaking, I had to offer the opportunity to review them. I hope you all like these speeches as much as I do, should you choose to review them.
Until later.....
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Grading
Hello Again!
I have completed grading your blog posts and comments for the week of 9/6-9/12 and have posted those grades to Blackboard. Please check your grade and let me know if there are any questions.
A bit about grading: If you ever feel any ambiguity in the evaluation process in this course, please email me. My goal for this course is total transparency for each student. However, since this is an online course, transparency begins with you as the student. I can only address issues if I know they exist. If this were a face to face class I would be able to easily explain how grading works, chat with you before/after class about your grades, etc... Online classes face many challenges and some of you are aware of these challenges due taking repetitive online courses. Others may have expectations that are not being met. I have mentioned a few times so far that I'm always available to chat through email, Yahoo Messenger and over the phone in case there are every any questions.
How I evaluate your blog posts and comments: As stated on the Participation Page, I look for a few things:
*Have you complied with the guidelines listed on the Participation Page?
*Does the content of your post/comment relate to our reading this week?
*Have you address the question in its entirety on your post?
*Have your given thought to the post you have commented on?
*Have you included the minimum number of words required in each post/comment?
*Is your post/comment within our discussion week?
If all of these questions have a 'yes' answer, there should be no reason why you earn anything less than full credit.
I hope this helps to clear up any ambiguity as it relates to the evaluation of your posts.
Have a wonderfully fabulous (and communication filled) day!!!
I have completed grading your blog posts and comments for the week of 9/6-9/12 and have posted those grades to Blackboard. Please check your grade and let me know if there are any questions.
A bit about grading: If you ever feel any ambiguity in the evaluation process in this course, please email me. My goal for this course is total transparency for each student. However, since this is an online course, transparency begins with you as the student. I can only address issues if I know they exist. If this were a face to face class I would be able to easily explain how grading works, chat with you before/after class about your grades, etc... Online classes face many challenges and some of you are aware of these challenges due taking repetitive online courses. Others may have expectations that are not being met. I have mentioned a few times so far that I'm always available to chat through email, Yahoo Messenger and over the phone in case there are every any questions.
How I evaluate your blog posts and comments: As stated on the Participation Page, I look for a few things:
*Have you complied with the guidelines listed on the Participation Page?
*Does the content of your post/comment relate to our reading this week?
*Have you address the question in its entirety on your post?
*Have your given thought to the post you have commented on?
*Have you included the minimum number of words required in each post/comment?
*Is your post/comment within our discussion week?
If all of these questions have a 'yes' answer, there should be no reason why you earn anything less than full credit.
I hope this helps to clear up any ambiguity as it relates to the evaluation of your posts.
Have a wonderfully fabulous (and communication filled) day!!!
Journal Tips
Hello Class! I hope you are all having a wonderful time completing your first Journal Assignments. As previously mentioned, your journals will be evaluated for content as well as writing style. To get started on revising your journal assignment, please pay close attention to the follow areas in The Pocket Wadsworth Handbook:
Page 47, Section 8b - Understanding Tense
Page 51, Section 8d - Understanding Voice
Page 65, Section 12a - Writing Concise Sentences
Page 70, Section 13a - Revising Unnecessary Shifts
Page 78, All of Section 16 - Choosing Words
Page 86, All of Section 18 - Using Commas
Page 94, All of Section 19 - Using Semicolons
Each of these sections in your writing guide will be addressed as part of your evaluation for your journal assignment. Since you will be using these sections to grade the journals, it might be a good idea to go through each of these sections and apply the principles to your own essays.
Look out for another post this afternoon. Until then......
Page 47, Section 8b - Understanding Tense
Page 51, Section 8d - Understanding Voice
Page 65, Section 12a - Writing Concise Sentences
Page 70, Section 13a - Revising Unnecessary Shifts
Page 78, All of Section 16 - Choosing Words
Page 86, All of Section 18 - Using Commas
Page 94, All of Section 19 - Using Semicolons
Each of these sections in your writing guide will be addressed as part of your evaluation for your journal assignment. Since you will be using these sections to grade the journals, it might be a good idea to go through each of these sections and apply the principles to your own essays.
Look out for another post this afternoon. Until then......
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Journal Entries
Hello Class!
Many of you are probably curious about the Journal Assignment since there is no ongoing due date for the assignment on the Schedule or Syllabus.
On the Schedule Page there is a due date of all journals on Saturday, November 28th. All journals from you will be due at that time. This means that you can work on your journal entries throughout the semester. My suggestion is to do them during the weeks I have assigned, and try to avoid procrastinating. The end of the semester can get busy as you know, so getting those entries done early will only help you out.
The journal assignment also has a second due date of December 8th. Each person will turn in their journal packet (containing all five journal entries) to me in November. I will compile each students packet, put you into groups of 4-5 people and each person in your particular group will grade your journal entries. The journal entries you are grading (your colleagues journals) will be due in December.
The journal assignment is worth 125 points of your total grade. 100 of those points are for your journal entries and the other 25 points is for your participation in the grading process. I will obviously attach grading guidelines so each person can grade the other 3-4 journals with absolute consistency. These guidelines will include content and writing style. The Communication Department has moved to 4 unit classes. Each 4 unit class has a strong writing component and each essay should be graded for content as well as standard writing rules (see your Pocket Writing Guide).
I am putting you as the student in the driver's seat for this particular assignment for a number of reasons.
1). It gives you an opportunity to see what other folks in the class are writing about.
2). It allows you to give your opinion about your colleagues writing.
3). The journal assignment will diversify your grading.
4). Grading a few journals should be intellectually challenging.
5). Increases diversity in the class.
6). Provides additional meaningful feedback, not only from the instructor, but from others.
7). Establishes an atmosphere of community and enhanced learning.
8). Reinforces relevant course material from a number of different perspectives.
9). Helps you analyze complex and abstract ideas as presented by others relating to course material/content.
10). Applies course content in a real-world setting.
When each journal is returned to me I will compile the grades, average them out, check for consistency, make sure there are no inaccuracies, and assign a final grade taking into account your colleagues feedback. In other words, I will average out your colleagues grades for your journal entries and assign a final grade, but will check for accuracy first to confirm that I agree with the particular grade given. Your journals will then be returned to you during finals week with feedback from your colleagues and I, and will contain an overall grade for the assignment.
Since there is a wide variety of opinions, perspectives, feelings, etc... in this course, I ask that you be open-minded about this assignment. I have found that some students can be slightly resistant to a project of this nature at first, but you may find that this assignment is one of your favorites in the course due to the hands-on approach we are taking with it. I appreciate your feedback and highly respect each of your opinions, so if there is anything you would like to bring to my attention, please let me know.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this assignment or anything else in the course.
Have a fabulous day!!!
Many of you are probably curious about the Journal Assignment since there is no ongoing due date for the assignment on the Schedule or Syllabus.
On the Schedule Page there is a due date of all journals on Saturday, November 28th. All journals from you will be due at that time. This means that you can work on your journal entries throughout the semester. My suggestion is to do them during the weeks I have assigned, and try to avoid procrastinating. The end of the semester can get busy as you know, so getting those entries done early will only help you out.
The journal assignment also has a second due date of December 8th. Each person will turn in their journal packet (containing all five journal entries) to me in November. I will compile each students packet, put you into groups of 4-5 people and each person in your particular group will grade your journal entries. The journal entries you are grading (your colleagues journals) will be due in December.
The journal assignment is worth 125 points of your total grade. 100 of those points are for your journal entries and the other 25 points is for your participation in the grading process. I will obviously attach grading guidelines so each person can grade the other 3-4 journals with absolute consistency. These guidelines will include content and writing style. The Communication Department has moved to 4 unit classes. Each 4 unit class has a strong writing component and each essay should be graded for content as well as standard writing rules (see your Pocket Writing Guide).
I am putting you as the student in the driver's seat for this particular assignment for a number of reasons.
1). It gives you an opportunity to see what other folks in the class are writing about.
2). It allows you to give your opinion about your colleagues writing.
3). The journal assignment will diversify your grading.
4). Grading a few journals should be intellectually challenging.
5). Increases diversity in the class.
6). Provides additional meaningful feedback, not only from the instructor, but from others.
7). Establishes an atmosphere of community and enhanced learning.
8). Reinforces relevant course material from a number of different perspectives.
9). Helps you analyze complex and abstract ideas as presented by others relating to course material/content.
10). Applies course content in a real-world setting.
When each journal is returned to me I will compile the grades, average them out, check for consistency, make sure there are no inaccuracies, and assign a final grade taking into account your colleagues feedback. In other words, I will average out your colleagues grades for your journal entries and assign a final grade, but will check for accuracy first to confirm that I agree with the particular grade given. Your journals will then be returned to you during finals week with feedback from your colleagues and I, and will contain an overall grade for the assignment.
Since there is a wide variety of opinions, perspectives, feelings, etc... in this course, I ask that you be open-minded about this assignment. I have found that some students can be slightly resistant to a project of this nature at first, but you may find that this assignment is one of your favorites in the course due to the hands-on approach we are taking with it. I appreciate your feedback and highly respect each of your opinions, so if there is anything you would like to bring to my attention, please let me know.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this assignment or anything else in the course.
Have a fabulous day!!!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Changes to the course
I have made some changes to the Schedule Page and Participation Pages on Blackboard. I have added the assignment descriptions instead of just listing "Assignment #1" I have added the name of the assignment to alleviate any confusion. This should clear up any ambiguity.
I also changed the quizzes and tests due to student request. You will now be able to review your quiz/test to see which questions you missed by reading over the question text.
I hope this helps you all out a bit!
As always, please DO NOT HESITATE to contact me if you have questions. My goal for this course is TOTAL transparency and TOTAL understanding.
I hope you all have a fabulous day!!!
I also changed the quizzes and tests due to student request. You will now be able to review your quiz/test to see which questions you missed by reading over the question text.
I hope this helps you all out a bit!
As always, please DO NOT HESITATE to contact me if you have questions. My goal for this course is TOTAL transparency and TOTAL understanding.
I hope you all have a fabulous day!!!
Public Speech Critique
Hello Class! As you may have noticed, the Public Speech Critique has been crossed off the Schedule Page and Syllabus. This is due to state mandated furloughs. This assignment has been canceled (it will be reinstated in future semesters where furloughs are no longer an issue).
In short, PLEASE DO NOT do this assignment. I would hate for you to do unnecessary work.
As many of you know the state not only cut the education budget significantly, they also cut the salaries of the staff, faculty and other employees on campus. In turn, we have been forced to cut 10% of our course content. This translates into canceled discussions which would have been intellectually challenging to you as a student and it has also forced cutting certain assignments out of our curriculum - also which would have been intellectually challenging to you as a student.
I know some of you are doing a little happy dance about fewer assignments, but it really DOES affect the quality of education we are able to provide.
I'm disappointed that we will not be participating in this assignment because it is an intellectually challenging assignment, which also forces you to think back to your Public Speaking course and to reiterate the concepts you learned at that time. Unfortunately, canceling this assignment is necessary during these interesting times.
The good news about this though, is that we are able to focus on those intellectually challenging ideas in other assignments and during our remaining weeks of discussion.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this.
Remember: I am ALWAYS available to clarify content in the course, clarify grading questions, other course questions, or to simply chat about whatever it is you want to chat about. I'm always available through email, Yahoo Messenger or phone conversations.
In short, PLEASE DO NOT do this assignment. I would hate for you to do unnecessary work.
As many of you know the state not only cut the education budget significantly, they also cut the salaries of the staff, faculty and other employees on campus. In turn, we have been forced to cut 10% of our course content. This translates into canceled discussions which would have been intellectually challenging to you as a student and it has also forced cutting certain assignments out of our curriculum - also which would have been intellectually challenging to you as a student.
I know some of you are doing a little happy dance about fewer assignments, but it really DOES affect the quality of education we are able to provide.
I'm disappointed that we will not be participating in this assignment because it is an intellectually challenging assignment, which also forces you to think back to your Public Speaking course and to reiterate the concepts you learned at that time. Unfortunately, canceling this assignment is necessary during these interesting times.
The good news about this though, is that we are able to focus on those intellectually challenging ideas in other assignments and during our remaining weeks of discussion.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this.
Remember: I am ALWAYS available to clarify content in the course, clarify grading questions, other course questions, or to simply chat about whatever it is you want to chat about. I'm always available through email, Yahoo Messenger or phone conversations.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Week of September 13-19
Listed below is from the Participation and Schedule pages on Blackboard:
***Read Chapter 9, Public Communication.
1). There will be no discussion this week due to state mandated furloughs.
2). Assignment #1, the Public Speech Critique has be canceled due to furloughs. Please work on Assignment #2, the Cultural Event Paper.
3). Please start to work on Journal Assignment #1 as it pertains to Chapter 9. I will post more about the Journal Assignment at the start of the week, so look out for that post.
***Read Chapter 9, Public Communication.
1). There will be no discussion this week due to state mandated furloughs.
2). Assignment #1, the Public Speech Critique has be canceled due to furloughs. Please work on Assignment #2, the Cultural Event Paper.
3). Please start to work on Journal Assignment #1 as it pertains to Chapter 9. I will post more about the Journal Assignment at the start of the week, so look out for that post.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Grades Posted and Blog Reminders
Hello Class! I have updated grades to Blackboard for the first and second weeks of class. Please look over your grade and let me know if you have any questions.
Here are some reminders about blogging and commenting (just to reinforce the parameters):
1). There are 3 questions per discussion week. Please answer those questions in 1 post each on your blog. Make sure your posts are at least 12 hours apart. Pay attention to your date and time stamp. Each post should be 150 words minimum - there is no maximum.
2). Comments should be on 3 different blogs. Each comment should be a minimum of 100 words each. There is no time restriction for comments, and can all be done at the same time. Make sure you are logged into your blogger account when leaving comments so your alias/display name appears.
3). I check the word count for all blog posts and comments. It is your responsibility to make sure your posts and comments meet the minimum requirement.
4). Your posts and comments need to be within a given discussion week. This means that if our week runs from 9/6 to 9/12, and you comment on a post that is not within that date range, you will not receive credit for that comment. I only check the posts and comments for that week. I do not go back and re-check past posts to see if someone has mistakenly commented on a past post.
5). It is recommended that you keep track of all dates/times/locations/word counts of your posts and comments. If you would like to email me about a grade, please include the following information in your email:
*Time and date of your posts including word counts
*Time and date of your comments including word counts
The information I have included here is located on the Participation Page on Blackboard. I also posted a blog last week about the first discussion week and reminded you of how blogging and commenting works. It is your responsibility to know everything that is on Blackboard and what is posted to my blog.
As always, I am available for questions through email, over Yahoo Messenger and of course to schedule a phone conversation at any time.
Here are some reminders about blogging and commenting (just to reinforce the parameters):
1). There are 3 questions per discussion week. Please answer those questions in 1 post each on your blog. Make sure your posts are at least 12 hours apart. Pay attention to your date and time stamp. Each post should be 150 words minimum - there is no maximum.
2). Comments should be on 3 different blogs. Each comment should be a minimum of 100 words each. There is no time restriction for comments, and can all be done at the same time. Make sure you are logged into your blogger account when leaving comments so your alias/display name appears.
3). I check the word count for all blog posts and comments. It is your responsibility to make sure your posts and comments meet the minimum requirement.
4). Your posts and comments need to be within a given discussion week. This means that if our week runs from 9/6 to 9/12, and you comment on a post that is not within that date range, you will not receive credit for that comment. I only check the posts and comments for that week. I do not go back and re-check past posts to see if someone has mistakenly commented on a past post.
5). It is recommended that you keep track of all dates/times/locations/word counts of your posts and comments. If you would like to email me about a grade, please include the following information in your email:
*Time and date of your posts including word counts
*Time and date of your comments including word counts
The information I have included here is located on the Participation Page on Blackboard. I also posted a blog last week about the first discussion week and reminded you of how blogging and commenting works. It is your responsibility to know everything that is on Blackboard and what is posted to my blog.
As always, I am available for questions through email, over Yahoo Messenger and of course to schedule a phone conversation at any time.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Furlough Day
Hello Class! Remember, tomorrow is a furlough day. I will not be holding office hours online or answering emails. I will resume answering emails on Friday.
Social Constructionist Perspective
I am excited about the posts this week. I find this chapter very useful for a number of reasons. The first relating to the question posed about the Social Constructionist Perspective. The Social Constructionist Perspective assumes we see the world in a certain way and because of certain things. We build our world through our experiences and our symbolic, constructed reality.
Would you agree that we see our world through cultural blinders?
Do we follow 'social rules'? If so, what are examples of rules?
Does this approach have limitations?
Until later...
Would you agree that we see our world through cultural blinders?
Do we follow 'social rules'? If so, what are examples of rules?
Does this approach have limitations?
Until later...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Early Bird Posts
Usually on Tuesdays I go through the blogs to see who has started posting early for the week. Here are a list of folks who have blogged already. Go ahead and stop by their blog to get an early start on your comments for the week.
Chivista
marikamania
CrushedVelvet23
1986dman
Ibirapuera
Let's congratulate these folks for getting an early start! Good job!!!!!
Chivista
marikamania
CrushedVelvet23
1986dman
Ibirapuera
Let's congratulate these folks for getting an early start! Good job!!!!!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Cultural Event Reminder
I have only heard from a few people regarding the Cultural Event Paper. If you haven't done so, start checking newspapers and of course online for local events. Email me once you have made a decision about what cultural event you would like to attend.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Week of September 6-12
Listed below is from the Participation and Schedule Pages on Blackboard:
***Read Chapter 2 - Definitions, Models and Perspectives
***There is a Quiz this week on Chapters 1 & 2. Please go to Blackboard to take the quiz.
Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Consider the social constructionist perspective. How do we "build worlds" through communication? Think of some ideas we talk about in our culture that may not exist in other cultures. How do these concepts contribute to our happiness of success (or the lack of these) in our culture?
2). Consider the pragmatic perspective. Does it make sense to think of communication as patterned interaction? How is communication like a game? How is it different from a game?
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
***Remember to post 3 comments to your colleagues blogs this week. As a reminder, the comments must be about the discussion this week. Posting on a past discussion will NOT count for credit.
REMINDER: Thursday, September 19th is a furlough day. I will not be conducting any university business this day. I will not answer email, grade blogs or papers, and my office hours are canceled.
***Read Chapter 2 - Definitions, Models and Perspectives
***There is a Quiz this week on Chapters 1 & 2. Please go to Blackboard to take the quiz.
Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Consider the social constructionist perspective. How do we "build worlds" through communication? Think of some ideas we talk about in our culture that may not exist in other cultures. How do these concepts contribute to our happiness of success (or the lack of these) in our culture?
2). Consider the pragmatic perspective. Does it make sense to think of communication as patterned interaction? How is communication like a game? How is it different from a game?
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
***Remember to post 3 comments to your colleagues blogs this week. As a reminder, the comments must be about the discussion this week. Posting on a past discussion will NOT count for credit.
REMINDER: Thursday, September 19th is a furlough day. I will not be conducting any university business this day. I will not answer email, grade blogs or papers, and my office hours are canceled.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Late Policy
Please make sure you are aware of the late policy on the syllabus. If your blog posts and/or comments are even 1 minute outside of our discussion week, they will not count for credit. Papers/assignments, etc... also have a due date and time. If they are submitted late through email (even one minute late for any reason), you will either earn no credit or partial credit for the assignment. In short, review the late policy on the Syllabus.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Contacting Your Instructor
Here is a little reminder about how you can go about contacting me. There are 3 ways:
1). Email. I check my email during the week, M-F numerous times a day. I also check my email periodically on the weekends, but response time may take a little longer than during the week.
2). Yahoo Messenger. Download Yahoo Messenger if you haven't already and add me as a friend: carolperezcommclass As it states on the "Getting Started" page, I do not use Yahoo Messenger for personal use, so anytime day or night you see me online, feel free to message me. My 'official' office hours are on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 10:00am to 11:00am, but I am online quite a bit more than that.
3). Phone conversations. I am always available to schedule a phone conversation whenever you'd like. If you have a question you don't think can be solved over email or yahoo messenger, we can certainly chat over the phone. It's just like on campus office hours, but quite a bit more convenient for you since you don't have to come down to campus.
1). Email. I check my email during the week, M-F numerous times a day. I also check my email periodically on the weekends, but response time may take a little longer than during the week.
2). Yahoo Messenger. Download Yahoo Messenger if you haven't already and add me as a friend: carolperezcommclass As it states on the "Getting Started" page, I do not use Yahoo Messenger for personal use, so anytime day or night you see me online, feel free to message me. My 'official' office hours are on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 10:00am to 11:00am, but I am online quite a bit more than that.
3). Phone conversations. I am always available to schedule a phone conversation whenever you'd like. If you have a question you don't think can be solved over email or yahoo messenger, we can certainly chat over the phone. It's just like on campus office hours, but quite a bit more convenient for you since you don't have to come down to campus.
Journal Assignment Posted
Hello Class!
I have just posted Journal Assignments 1-4 to the "Projects" page on Blackboard. I am still giving Journal #5 some thought, but I will post it soon. Reply to this blog post or email me with questions about the assignment, if there are any.
I hope you all are having a fabulous evening!!!
I have just posted Journal Assignments 1-4 to the "Projects" page on Blackboard. I am still giving Journal #5 some thought, but I will post it soon. Reply to this blog post or email me with questions about the assignment, if there are any.
I hope you all are having a fabulous evening!!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Housekeeping Items
I have been enjoying your first round of posts so far - keep it up. You will notice a bit later on this week that I will start commenting on your posts. You can comment back on your blog if you'd like by also leaving a "comment", but you are still responsible for 3 posts to your personal blog answering questions, and 3 comments on different blogs during any given discussion week (1 comment on 3 different blogs).
Assignment #2
Please review Assignment #2, the Cultural Event Paper. This assignment will take a bit of planing since you are responsible for finding a cultural event to attend. As the members of the class send me suggestions, I will post them to this blog, and tag the item "Cultural Events". Please start looking through newspapers, and of course browse online to see what qualifying events would take place before the due date of the paper. I would like every person to find at least one qualifying event and email it to me so I can post it for the entire class to see.
Chapter Notes
In the middle of every week that we have a reading assignment, I will post Chapter notes to the "Handouts Page". Please go to that page and download the notes. Of course these notes are not a replacement for reading the chapters, they should be used in conjunction with each chapter you are reading. If you rely on the notes alone, there will be quite a bit of pertinent information you will miss in the chapters. The information you read in the chapters will help in your success in this course.
Assignment #2
Please review Assignment #2, the Cultural Event Paper. This assignment will take a bit of planing since you are responsible for finding a cultural event to attend. As the members of the class send me suggestions, I will post them to this blog, and tag the item "Cultural Events". Please start looking through newspapers, and of course browse online to see what qualifying events would take place before the due date of the paper. I would like every person to find at least one qualifying event and email it to me so I can post it for the entire class to see.
Chapter Notes
In the middle of every week that we have a reading assignment, I will post Chapter notes to the "Handouts Page". Please go to that page and download the notes. Of course these notes are not a replacement for reading the chapters, they should be used in conjunction with each chapter you are reading. If you rely on the notes alone, there will be quite a bit of pertinent information you will miss in the chapters. The information you read in the chapters will help in your success in this course.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Questions about Blogging
Some of you have emailed me with questions and I thought it would be helpful if the entire class saw the answers. Here you go:
1). Q- Do I have to post on 3 different blogs? Or can I post two or three times on the same blog as long as they are different posts?
A- You should comment on 3 different blogs.
2). Q- How do you keep track of our posts and comments?
A- I keep track of every post and comment on a spreadsheet every week we have a discussion. Each post you make on your blog will have a date and time stamp and I keep track of them to make sure they are at least 12 hours apart. Then, I check all comments made for that week. I will record the location of your comments.
3). Q- If I comment on someones post from last week, will I get credit?
A- No, I only check the blog posts for that week. Make sure you are checking the dates of the posts you are commenting on and of course, the content of the question to make sure it is an appropriate post.
4). Q- Do comments have to be at least 100 words?
A- Yes, while posts require 150 words, comments need to be at least 100 words. I do word counts on all posts and comments to make sure you are reaching the word minimum. Of course you can post more than the minimum amount of words required, but please meet the minimum.
5). Q- Should I keep track of the location of my comments?
A- Yes. Please keep track of comments and locations in case there is a discrepancy in recording or grading.
6). Q- What do I post as a comment?
A- Whatever you'd like as long as it has to do with the content of the post and related to the question I have asked. You can agree, disagree, add to the comment, ask thoughtful questions to the poster,give feedback, etc.... The comment content is up to you as long as it relates to course material, and of course the post itself.
7). Q- If I comment back to someone on my blog, do I get credit for it?
A- In short, no. You will only get credit for your three posts and three comments on other people's blogs. However, when someone asks you a question face to face, do you ignore them or give them the courtesy of an answer?
8). Q- How do you grade posts?
A- Content, answering the question in full, expressed thoughtfulness of course content and of course word count.
9). Q- Can I post to my blog and comment at the same time?
A- Yes. You only need to worry about posting 12 hours apart on YOUR blog. You can comment anytime as long as it is within our discussion week (12:01am on Sunday through 11:59pm on Saturday). You can post to your blog and then comment at the same time.....or you can do all three comments at the same time. As long as the posts on your blog are 12 hours apart, go ahead and make three comments on three different blogs at any point during our discussion week. Make sure you comment on a qualifying post on the other persons blog. This means you must comment on a post that was made during the current discussion week.
1). Q- Do I have to post on 3 different blogs? Or can I post two or three times on the same blog as long as they are different posts?
A- You should comment on 3 different blogs.
2). Q- How do you keep track of our posts and comments?
A- I keep track of every post and comment on a spreadsheet every week we have a discussion. Each post you make on your blog will have a date and time stamp and I keep track of them to make sure they are at least 12 hours apart. Then, I check all comments made for that week. I will record the location of your comments.
3). Q- If I comment on someones post from last week, will I get credit?
A- No, I only check the blog posts for that week. Make sure you are checking the dates of the posts you are commenting on and of course, the content of the question to make sure it is an appropriate post.
4). Q- Do comments have to be at least 100 words?
A- Yes, while posts require 150 words, comments need to be at least 100 words. I do word counts on all posts and comments to make sure you are reaching the word minimum. Of course you can post more than the minimum amount of words required, but please meet the minimum.
5). Q- Should I keep track of the location of my comments?
A- Yes. Please keep track of comments and locations in case there is a discrepancy in recording or grading.
6). Q- What do I post as a comment?
A- Whatever you'd like as long as it has to do with the content of the post and related to the question I have asked. You can agree, disagree, add to the comment, ask thoughtful questions to the poster,give feedback, etc.... The comment content is up to you as long as it relates to course material, and of course the post itself.
7). Q- If I comment back to someone on my blog, do I get credit for it?
A- In short, no. You will only get credit for your three posts and three comments on other people's blogs. However, when someone asks you a question face to face, do you ignore them or give them the courtesy of an answer?
8). Q- How do you grade posts?
A- Content, answering the question in full, expressed thoughtfulness of course content and of course word count.
9). Q- Can I post to my blog and comment at the same time?
A- Yes. You only need to worry about posting 12 hours apart on YOUR blog. You can comment anytime as long as it is within our discussion week (12:01am on Sunday through 11:59pm on Saturday). You can post to your blog and then comment at the same time.....or you can do all three comments at the same time. As long as the posts on your blog are 12 hours apart, go ahead and make three comments on three different blogs at any point during our discussion week. Make sure you comment on a qualifying post on the other persons blog. This means you must comment on a post that was made during the current discussion week.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Week of August 30 - September 5
Welcome to your first week of completing assignments. Here is what's on the schedule for this week. Please be sure to pay close attention to deadlines (specifically dates AND times):
Our week started this morning, Sunday, at 12:01am and will end on Saturday at 11:59pm. Please have everything completed for this week by 11:59pm on Saturday.
1). Read Chapter 1: The Communication Tradition
2). Read over the course projects. Public Speech Critique (canceled due to furloughs), Cultural Event Paper (assignment #2) and Concept Application Paper (assignment #3) and the semester long project titled "Journal Project" (which will be uploaded early this week). These are located on the "Projects" page on Blackboard.
3). Start searching for an event to attend for the Cultural Event Paper, paper #2.
4). Complete Discussion Questions on your blog:
Answer one of the questions in its entirety in each of your three separate posts, at least 12 hours apart. Please make sure you are creating a NEW POST for each question on your blog. You MUST WAIT 12 hours from the first post in order to create a second post. The same is true for the second and third post. I will record dates and times of your posts, so make sure they are at least 12 hours apart. EACH POST MUST BE 150 WORDS OR MORE. Each post is worth a maximum of 6 points.
*1). Think of a speaker you admire (please do not use the President of the United States as an example). Does his or her power to persuade come from ethos, pathos, or logos? Think about your own ability to persuade others. What personal qualities do you have that make you persuasive? Does Aristotle's classification scheme work for them, or do they fit into another category?
*2). The Greeks believed that to be an orator, an individual had to be morally good. Comment on whether you agree or disagree. What, if any, is the connection between goodness, truth, and public communication?
*3). Pick one concept from the reading assignment this week (Ch.1) that you found interesting or useful and and discuss it. Please discuss a concept that has not already been discussed this week so far.
5). Comments
Remember to post ONE comment ON THREE DIFFERENT BLOGS between 12:01am on Sunday and 11:59pm on Saturday. This means that you will log onto MY BLOG at: http://comm105fall2009.blogspot.com/ and look at the lower right and corner to see a list of your colleagues blogs. Click on those blogs, read what was posted for this week, and respond. You need to make sure that you are responding to only what was discussed THIS WEEK. Comments posted to blogs that were NOT within this week will not be counted for points. Each comment must also be a minimum of 100 words and is worth 4 points.
Note: When you leave a comment, make sure you are logged into your blogspot account. In other words, you will need to make sure your "Display Name/Alias Name" shows up on the blog you are commenting on. I record the locations, dates and times of your comments as well. Please keep record of your posts and comments.
Let me know if you have ANY questions about how blogging/discussions work.
Reminder: Check my blog everyday for updates, and check your email everyday in case there are emails you need to respond to pertaining to this course.
Happy Blogging!!!!
Our week started this morning, Sunday, at 12:01am and will end on Saturday at 11:59pm. Please have everything completed for this week by 11:59pm on Saturday.
1). Read Chapter 1: The Communication Tradition
2). Read over the course projects. Public Speech Critique (canceled due to furloughs), Cultural Event Paper (assignment #2) and Concept Application Paper (assignment #3) and the semester long project titled "Journal Project" (which will be uploaded early this week). These are located on the "Projects" page on Blackboard.
3). Start searching for an event to attend for the Cultural Event Paper, paper #2.
4). Complete Discussion Questions on your blog:
Answer one of the questions in its entirety in each of your three separate posts, at least 12 hours apart. Please make sure you are creating a NEW POST for each question on your blog. You MUST WAIT 12 hours from the first post in order to create a second post. The same is true for the second and third post. I will record dates and times of your posts, so make sure they are at least 12 hours apart. EACH POST MUST BE 150 WORDS OR MORE. Each post is worth a maximum of 6 points.
*1). Think of a speaker you admire (please do not use the President of the United States as an example). Does his or her power to persuade come from ethos, pathos, or logos? Think about your own ability to persuade others. What personal qualities do you have that make you persuasive? Does Aristotle's classification scheme work for them, or do they fit into another category?
*2). The Greeks believed that to be an orator, an individual had to be morally good. Comment on whether you agree or disagree. What, if any, is the connection between goodness, truth, and public communication?
*3). Pick one concept from the reading assignment this week (Ch.1) that you found interesting or useful and and discuss it. Please discuss a concept that has not already been discussed this week so far.
5). Comments
Remember to post ONE comment ON THREE DIFFERENT BLOGS between 12:01am on Sunday and 11:59pm on Saturday. This means that you will log onto MY BLOG at: http://comm105fall2009.blogspot.com/ and look at the lower right and corner to see a list of your colleagues blogs. Click on those blogs, read what was posted for this week, and respond. You need to make sure that you are responding to only what was discussed THIS WEEK. Comments posted to blogs that were NOT within this week will not be counted for points. Each comment must also be a minimum of 100 words and is worth 4 points.
Note: When you leave a comment, make sure you are logged into your blogspot account. In other words, you will need to make sure your "Display Name/Alias Name" shows up on the blog you are commenting on. I record the locations, dates and times of your comments as well. Please keep record of your posts and comments.
Let me know if you have ANY questions about how blogging/discussions work.
Reminder: Check my blog everyday for updates, and check your email everyday in case there are emails you need to respond to pertaining to this course.
Happy Blogging!!!!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Let's Officially Get Going
Sunday morning marks our first official discussion week. Sunday morning at 12:01am will mark the beginning of our discussion week. You can post anytime during the discussion week as long as it is between Sunday morning 12:01am and Saturday night at 11:59pm. Each post to your blog should be a minimum of 12 hours apart. There is no time restriction when it comes to commenting, meaning you can comment on three blogs at the same time.
To post to your blog, please log into your blog and hit the New Post button. Make sure to publish your post when you are finished typing your post. It is your responsibility to make sure that the posts to your blog are at least 12 hours apart.
After you post, make sure to go back and view your blog. If you can't see your post, neither can I or your classmates. You should check your blog to make sure your post appears, and that it looks the way you want it to look.
Date and Time Stamps: Each post you create on your blog will have a date and time stamp. I record each of these to make sure your posts are at least 12 hours apart (yep, it's a lot of paperwork). Again, once you have posted, go back and check to make sure your posts date and time stamp are at least 12 hours apart. Again, I can only see what is on your blog. If your posts are not at least 12 hours apart, your post will not count and you will not earn points for that post. Also, make sure each post to your blog is at least 150 words minimum.
Commenting: For every discussion week you should comment on at least 3 blogs. It is your responsibility to make sure your comments are within the discussion week. This means that if you post a comment to a blog and that comment was made on the previous week of discussion, you will not earn credit for your comment. Comments need to be 100 words minimum. To comment on another blog, please go to my blog and look at the list located at the lower right hand corner of my blog. Click on the names, read the post, and comment. The 'comment' button will be below the post. Again, I WILL NOT go back and check posts from a past week to see if you mistakenly commented on a post from a previous week.
Keeping track of posts and comments: I keep track of posts to your blog and comments. Because I'm human, sometimes I make mistakes. I HIGHLY recommend that you keep track of your posts and your comments. This should include dates/times/locations of your posts/comments. If you ever have any questions about your points total for a week, or if you think I'm missing a post or comment, YOU will need to provide the dates/times of YOUR POSTS and also the dates/times/locations of your COMMENTS. Please keep a log every week of where and when you posted and commented.
Display Names: If you haven't already, please go back and check your Display Name. There are directions on the "Getting Started" page on Blackboard.
Sunday Morning: I will post to my blog on Sunday morning everything that is due for the coming week. The information I will post to my blog will be the same as what is listed on the Schedule and Participation Pages on Blackboard. To get a head start, check out those pages.
Have a fabulous day!
To post to your blog, please log into your blog and hit the New Post button. Make sure to publish your post when you are finished typing your post. It is your responsibility to make sure that the posts to your blog are at least 12 hours apart.
After you post, make sure to go back and view your blog. If you can't see your post, neither can I or your classmates. You should check your blog to make sure your post appears, and that it looks the way you want it to look.
Date and Time Stamps: Each post you create on your blog will have a date and time stamp. I record each of these to make sure your posts are at least 12 hours apart (yep, it's a lot of paperwork). Again, once you have posted, go back and check to make sure your posts date and time stamp are at least 12 hours apart. Again, I can only see what is on your blog. If your posts are not at least 12 hours apart, your post will not count and you will not earn points for that post. Also, make sure each post to your blog is at least 150 words minimum.
Commenting: For every discussion week you should comment on at least 3 blogs. It is your responsibility to make sure your comments are within the discussion week. This means that if you post a comment to a blog and that comment was made on the previous week of discussion, you will not earn credit for your comment. Comments need to be 100 words minimum. To comment on another blog, please go to my blog and look at the list located at the lower right hand corner of my blog. Click on the names, read the post, and comment. The 'comment' button will be below the post. Again, I WILL NOT go back and check posts from a past week to see if you mistakenly commented on a post from a previous week.
Keeping track of posts and comments: I keep track of posts to your blog and comments. Because I'm human, sometimes I make mistakes. I HIGHLY recommend that you keep track of your posts and your comments. This should include dates/times/locations of your posts/comments. If you ever have any questions about your points total for a week, or if you think I'm missing a post or comment, YOU will need to provide the dates/times of YOUR POSTS and also the dates/times/locations of your COMMENTS. Please keep a log every week of where and when you posted and commented.
Display Names: If you haven't already, please go back and check your Display Name. There are directions on the "Getting Started" page on Blackboard.
Sunday Morning: I will post to my blog on Sunday morning everything that is due for the coming week. The information I will post to my blog will be the same as what is listed on the Schedule and Participation Pages on Blackboard. To get a head start, check out those pages.
Have a fabulous day!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Office Hours and Reminders
Hello Class!
Today I will be holding "office hours" online through Yahoo Messenger from 10am to 11am. I hold office hours every Tuesday and Thursday (unless it's a furlough day). I also log onto Yahoo Messenger from time to time when I'm working, so if you see my status as "available", I'm usually near the computer. Please feel free to chat with my anytime you see me on Yahoo Messenger (even at 2am if I'm logged on).
Reminders:
*Please email me with the following information ASAP:
Name
Alias Name
Blog Link
Phone Number
*Some people have been questioning what "website" means on the Participation Page and Schedule Page. Your website IS your blog. Once you have created your blog and emailed me a link to it, the 'website' requirement as been filled.
*PLEASE write an introductory post (as required for this week - see the Participation Page for more details) as soon as you create your blog. Sometimes blogger (blogspot will flag or essentially shut down a blog that has been created, but that has no posts).
*COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT - - - Please see the class list of blogs located on MY blog, lower right hand corner. Click on the link of the blog you want to go to, and comment on your classmates Introductory post. This is also a good way to make sure you know how to comment on other blogs, and to make sure your display name is showing up properly. I can only track your comments and posts if you name is correct, and it is your responsibility to make sure you comment on an appropriate post (posts that are within a given discussion week), and that your name shows up.
*Official posting and commenting starts Sunday. Our weeks run from Sunday (12:01am) to Saturday (11:59pm). We will begin our discussion week as of Sunday at 12:01am. Make sure you post 3 times to your blog at least 12 hours apart next week, and you comment on 3 different blog posts (no time restriction on the comments). Get comfortable posting to your blog and commenting THIS WEEK - as you should be well versed by Sunday to start your first official discussion week.
Until later.......
Today I will be holding "office hours" online through Yahoo Messenger from 10am to 11am. I hold office hours every Tuesday and Thursday (unless it's a furlough day). I also log onto Yahoo Messenger from time to time when I'm working, so if you see my status as "available", I'm usually near the computer. Please feel free to chat with my anytime you see me on Yahoo Messenger (even at 2am if I'm logged on).
Reminders:
*Please email me with the following information ASAP:
Name
Alias Name
Blog Link
Phone Number
*Some people have been questioning what "website" means on the Participation Page and Schedule Page. Your website IS your blog. Once you have created your blog and emailed me a link to it, the 'website' requirement as been filled.
*PLEASE write an introductory post (as required for this week - see the Participation Page for more details) as soon as you create your blog. Sometimes blogger (blogspot will flag or essentially shut down a blog that has been created, but that has no posts).
*COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT - - - Please see the class list of blogs located on MY blog, lower right hand corner. Click on the link of the blog you want to go to, and comment on your classmates Introductory post. This is also a good way to make sure you know how to comment on other blogs, and to make sure your display name is showing up properly. I can only track your comments and posts if you name is correct, and it is your responsibility to make sure you comment on an appropriate post (posts that are within a given discussion week), and that your name shows up.
*Official posting and commenting starts Sunday. Our weeks run from Sunday (12:01am) to Saturday (11:59pm). We will begin our discussion week as of Sunday at 12:01am. Make sure you post 3 times to your blog at least 12 hours apart next week, and you comment on 3 different blog posts (no time restriction on the comments). Get comfortable posting to your blog and commenting THIS WEEK - as you should be well versed by Sunday to start your first official discussion week.
Until later.......
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Blogging Questions
I have been receiving some repetitive emails about how a few things in the course work. Please read the blog in its entirety:
Blogging:
Since we will be blogging starting this Sunday, I thought I would explain how blogging works. There is quite a bit of information located on the "Participation" page about how blogging works. Here is an abbreviated version.
We have all created a blogspot webpage. This is where we will be having discussions rather than on Blackboard. Each week that there is a discussion, you will write 1 new post for each question, every week typically has 3 questions. You should post your first blog, wait AT LEAST 12 hours, then you are able to post another blog. Blogging must be done at least 12 hours apart. For example, you can post on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As long as the date/time stamp on your blog is 12 hours apart, you should receive at least some credit for your blogs. I record dates and times, and it is your responsibility to make sure they are at least 12 hours apart.
In addition to blogging, you will need to comment on 3 other people's blogs in the course during a discussion week. Log onto my blog and visit some other blogs. There is a list on my blog in the lower right hand corner that contains every one's blog in the class (yours should be there as soon as you email me the link). Click on any of the icons and read the blog then comment on it by clicking on "comment" at the bottom of the post. You need to make sure that when you leave a comment, you see your alias name so I can record that you have actually left a comment. It is your responsibility to make sure your name appears on the other person's blog. It may take a few tries to get it right, but you will soon catch on and become an expert at blogging. You are more than welcome to practice by leaving a comment or two on any of my posts to make sure you are commenting correctly.
As I have noted on the "Participation" page located on Blackboard, each post is worth 6 points (which needs to be done on your blog as a "New Post"), and each comment is worth 4 points (which is where you comment on other people's blogs). There is NO TIME restriction for commenting on other people's blogs. You can comment anytime during the week, and it does not need to be 12 hours apart. Make sure you are commenting on a post from the CURRENT week of discussion.
So to summarize, you will post 3 times in a given discussion week. You will create a new post for each question and make sure your posts are at least 12 hours apart. You will also comment on 3 other blogs during a discussion week. Each post should be 150 words minimum and each comment should be a minimum of 100 words, otherwise there will be a point deduction.
Until later......
Blogging:
Since we will be blogging starting this Sunday, I thought I would explain how blogging works. There is quite a bit of information located on the "Participation" page about how blogging works. Here is an abbreviated version.
We have all created a blogspot webpage. This is where we will be having discussions rather than on Blackboard. Each week that there is a discussion, you will write 1 new post for each question, every week typically has 3 questions. You should post your first blog, wait AT LEAST 12 hours, then you are able to post another blog. Blogging must be done at least 12 hours apart. For example, you can post on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As long as the date/time stamp on your blog is 12 hours apart, you should receive at least some credit for your blogs. I record dates and times, and it is your responsibility to make sure they are at least 12 hours apart.
In addition to blogging, you will need to comment on 3 other people's blogs in the course during a discussion week. Log onto my blog and visit some other blogs. There is a list on my blog in the lower right hand corner that contains every one's blog in the class (yours should be there as soon as you email me the link). Click on any of the icons and read the blog then comment on it by clicking on "comment" at the bottom of the post. You need to make sure that when you leave a comment, you see your alias name so I can record that you have actually left a comment. It is your responsibility to make sure your name appears on the other person's blog. It may take a few tries to get it right, but you will soon catch on and become an expert at blogging. You are more than welcome to practice by leaving a comment or two on any of my posts to make sure you are commenting correctly.
As I have noted on the "Participation" page located on Blackboard, each post is worth 6 points (which needs to be done on your blog as a "New Post"), and each comment is worth 4 points (which is where you comment on other people's blogs). There is NO TIME restriction for commenting on other people's blogs. You can comment anytime during the week, and it does not need to be 12 hours apart. Make sure you are commenting on a post from the CURRENT week of discussion.
So to summarize, you will post 3 times in a given discussion week. You will create a new post for each question and make sure your posts are at least 12 hours apart. You will also comment on 3 other blogs during a discussion week. Each post should be 150 words minimum and each comment should be a minimum of 100 words, otherwise there will be a point deduction.
Until later......
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Week of August 24-29
Please read this post in its entirety (most of my posts will not be this long, I promise). :)
Allow me to extend an official welcome to Comm 105P! I have 'chatted' with most of you at least a little bit. We are waiting for the last few students to contact me before the roster in the class is finalized.
Every Sunday or Monday I will post what is due for the week. The information I will be posting is located on the Schedule and Participation Pages on Blackboard. Please read over everything currently available on Blackboard. Each page has details about the course, and is vital to your success in the class.
Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
1). Set up a blogspot (blogger) webpage making sure your Alias Name you have chose matches the Display Name on your blog. The "Getting Started" page has directions on how to check that. Please make sure they match!
2). Contact me at: comm105fall2009@gmail.com by Wednesday at 11:59pm to hold your spot in the class. I have about 20 people on a waiting list to get into the course. If I do not hear from you by Wed. at 11:59pm, I will drop you from the course and allow another student to add in your spot. (It will take a week or so for the University to reflect the drop, but please be assured, you will be dropped from the course even if you still show on the roster).
3). By Friday at 10am, you should email me with the following information:
*Alias Name
*Preferred email address
*Phone number
*Blog address (a link to your blog)
4). Post an introductory post to your blog, preferably at the time you create the blog. Sometimes blogger (blog spot) will flag blogs that have been created, but contain no posts. If you blog is flagged, it will be unusable for a few days and you will have to contact blogger to resolve the issue. Some students create new blogs just avoid waiting for the issue to be resolved. Try not to be one of those people. Post your introductory blog immediately. Your post should cover: "A brief biography and should welcome others to your blog. Also, tell us your "communication story". What experiences in communication studies have you had? What are your goals for this class? What do you hope to get out of the class?" (As stated on the Participation Page located on Blackboard).
5). You should read through the Netiquette Home Page and the Learn the Net: Netiquette Page before getting started in the course. Some of this information will be review, but read it over anyway.
6). Comment on other people's blogs. There is a list of student blogs located at the lower right hand corner of my blog. Click on the links there and start to get to know your classmates. You will come to my blog every week to link to your classmates blogs so you can comment. Get used to commenting early so there is no issue with commenting once the semester starts in full swing next week.
7). Please purchase the TWO books listed on the Syllabus. You should purchase the textbook, AND the writing guide. The writing guide will serve you for other classes in the Communication Department as well. This small pocket guide will help you in your writing throughout the semester.
Reminders:
*I hold office hours on Yahoo Messenger on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 10am to 11am every week unless otherwise noted. Furlough days are listed in red on the Syllabus and Schedule Pages. I am will not be holding office hours on furlough days.
*Furlough Days: As required by the University, I must take 9 furlough days throughout the semester. These days are noted on the Syllabus and Schedule Pages. I signed a contract with the University stating that I will not conduct any University business on those days. This means that I will not blog, will not hold office hours, will not answer emails, will not grade papers......well, you get the point. In short, I will be away from my computer on those days.
*I will post FAQ's later on this week.
*Be sure to check my blog everyday for updates. There is not one specific time I update my blog, so check back often to make sure you haven't missed any important announcements.
*I have not posted the Journal Assignment to Blackboard yet. I am finalizing some things with that assignment, and it should be posted by next week.
*Strike throughs on the Syllabus, Schedule and Participation Pages. You will notice that there are assignments or blogging weeks that have have been 'lined out' of the pages noted. This is due to budget cuts and salary reductions. As many of you know most employees of the University, including ALL faculty have been issued a pay reduction. In turn, we must cut approximately 10% of the workload in our courses. Honestly, some students are probably doing a little happy dance that their course workload has been reduced. However, this situation should outrage each and every one of you because your tuition has increased quite a bit and are getting less education in return. I may offer extra credit during the semester for you to write your representatives about this issue. More on this later...... (I simply wanted to explain why blogging weeks were cancelled and why your first writing assignment no longer exists. Just FYI - this first writing assignment is what establishes you in the course, and would have gotten each student familiar with my grading system. Since furloughs have been required, that assignment no longer exists, which means your first major assignment in this course is worth quite a bit and does not allow you to get used to my grading system). Again, more on this later.....
With all of that being said, I look forward to sharing this semester with each and every one of you. If you EVER have any questions, please email me, chat with me on Yahoo Messenger, or schedule a phone conversation with me. I am ALWAYS here to chat, and help you in any way I can, within reason of course. I strive to be visible to my students on a consistent basis - even more so than 'in-person' classes.
Allow me to extend an official welcome to Comm 105P! I have 'chatted' with most of you at least a little bit. We are waiting for the last few students to contact me before the roster in the class is finalized.
Every Sunday or Monday I will post what is due for the week. The information I will be posting is located on the Schedule and Participation Pages on Blackboard. Please read over everything currently available on Blackboard. Each page has details about the course, and is vital to your success in the class.
Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
1). Set up a blogspot (blogger) webpage making sure your Alias Name you have chose matches the Display Name on your blog. The "Getting Started" page has directions on how to check that. Please make sure they match!
2). Contact me at: comm105fall2009@gmail.com by Wednesday at 11:59pm to hold your spot in the class. I have about 20 people on a waiting list to get into the course. If I do not hear from you by Wed. at 11:59pm, I will drop you from the course and allow another student to add in your spot. (It will take a week or so for the University to reflect the drop, but please be assured, you will be dropped from the course even if you still show on the roster).
3). By Friday at 10am, you should email me with the following information:
*Alias Name
*Preferred email address
*Phone number
*Blog address (a link to your blog)
4). Post an introductory post to your blog, preferably at the time you create the blog. Sometimes blogger (blog spot) will flag blogs that have been created, but contain no posts. If you blog is flagged, it will be unusable for a few days and you will have to contact blogger to resolve the issue. Some students create new blogs just avoid waiting for the issue to be resolved. Try not to be one of those people. Post your introductory blog immediately. Your post should cover: "A brief biography and should welcome others to your blog. Also, tell us your "communication story". What experiences in communication studies have you had? What are your goals for this class? What do you hope to get out of the class?" (As stated on the Participation Page located on Blackboard).
5). You should read through the Netiquette Home Page and the Learn the Net: Netiquette Page before getting started in the course. Some of this information will be review, but read it over anyway.
6). Comment on other people's blogs. There is a list of student blogs located at the lower right hand corner of my blog. Click on the links there and start to get to know your classmates. You will come to my blog every week to link to your classmates blogs so you can comment. Get used to commenting early so there is no issue with commenting once the semester starts in full swing next week.
7). Please purchase the TWO books listed on the Syllabus. You should purchase the textbook, AND the writing guide. The writing guide will serve you for other classes in the Communication Department as well. This small pocket guide will help you in your writing throughout the semester.
Reminders:
*I hold office hours on Yahoo Messenger on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 10am to 11am every week unless otherwise noted. Furlough days are listed in red on the Syllabus and Schedule Pages. I am will not be holding office hours on furlough days.
*Furlough Days: As required by the University, I must take 9 furlough days throughout the semester. These days are noted on the Syllabus and Schedule Pages. I signed a contract with the University stating that I will not conduct any University business on those days. This means that I will not blog, will not hold office hours, will not answer emails, will not grade papers......well, you get the point. In short, I will be away from my computer on those days.
*I will post FAQ's later on this week.
*Be sure to check my blog everyday for updates. There is not one specific time I update my blog, so check back often to make sure you haven't missed any important announcements.
*I have not posted the Journal Assignment to Blackboard yet. I am finalizing some things with that assignment, and it should be posted by next week.
*Strike throughs on the Syllabus, Schedule and Participation Pages. You will notice that there are assignments or blogging weeks that have have been 'lined out' of the pages noted. This is due to budget cuts and salary reductions. As many of you know most employees of the University, including ALL faculty have been issued a pay reduction. In turn, we must cut approximately 10% of the workload in our courses. Honestly, some students are probably doing a little happy dance that their course workload has been reduced. However, this situation should outrage each and every one of you because your tuition has increased quite a bit and are getting less education in return. I may offer extra credit during the semester for you to write your representatives about this issue. More on this later...... (I simply wanted to explain why blogging weeks were cancelled and why your first writing assignment no longer exists. Just FYI - this first writing assignment is what establishes you in the course, and would have gotten each student familiar with my grading system. Since furloughs have been required, that assignment no longer exists, which means your first major assignment in this course is worth quite a bit and does not allow you to get used to my grading system). Again, more on this later.....
With all of that being said, I look forward to sharing this semester with each and every one of you. If you EVER have any questions, please email me, chat with me on Yahoo Messenger, or schedule a phone conversation with me. I am ALWAYS here to chat, and help you in any way I can, within reason of course. I strive to be visible to my students on a consistent basis - even more so than 'in-person' classes.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sending Your Blog Address
It seems as though some folks are having issues submitting their blog address. For those that are new to blogging, don't worry, we're all in this together. Blogging will get easier, I promise!!!
To find your blog address, log into the blog that you created and the hit "View Blog". Copy and paste that link to an email to me.
Please be sure to check your display name prior to sending me your information. Go to the "Getting Started" page on Blackboard for directions about how to check your Display Name (which is also the alias name you have chosen for the course).
Email me with any questions.
To find your blog address, log into the blog that you created and the hit "View Blog". Copy and paste that link to an email to me.
Please be sure to check your display name prior to sending me your information. Go to the "Getting Started" page on Blackboard for directions about how to check your Display Name (which is also the alias name you have chosen for the course).
Email me with any questions.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Access Delayed for Some
It seems that some students are able to log into Blackboard, but are not able to see the class yet. Please do not be alarmed! Sometimes it takes a day or two for access to be granted. If you do not have access by Monday, please email me and I will call ecampus to find out what's going on. I suspect that there is simply a delay, and that you should be able to access the course very soon. (I can see each of you in the class, but as I mentioned, some students cannot see the class once they log into Blackboard - but I assure you, you are there). :)
There are no assignments due until Friday, and you will have more than enough time to complete the assignment and get established in the course if you access the class at the start of the week.
Until you are able to access the course, please let me know if you have any questions.
There are no assignments due until Friday, and you will have more than enough time to complete the assignment and get established in the course if you access the class at the start of the week.
Until you are able to access the course, please let me know if you have any questions.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
