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!
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Maybe less assignments that involved more interaction would be better than more assignments with less interaction. We have a lot of assignments for a semester that involves so many furlough days.
ReplyDeleteLess assignments with more interaction - I like the idea. There is always a balancing act with online classes, especially at SJSU because of the student population. I have tried to develop the class over the last couple of years to be sensitive to the working student and the full time student who has little time to meet with others from the class, either in person or over the internet. Most interactive assignments cause problems for students who have no time for coordination of schedules.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely take that into consideration for next semester, and I greatly appreciate your feedback. Unfortunately with Comm105P now being a 4 unit class, it was required by the Comm. Dept that we take what we did last semester and add a strong writing component. I'm sure you understand that adding an additional unit translates into approximately 10-15 hours additional work for the semester. This is why the journal assignment was added. We were also required to take out 10% of the coursework due to furloughs, thus the canceled assignment (Public Speech Critique) and 2 weeks of blogging.
Do you have any specific suggestions for assignments that you would like to see for this course? I would be happy to consider any ideas you might have for future Comm 105 classes. Again, I appreciate your feedback, and I'm sure future Comm 105 students would appreciate any ideas you would like to send along.
I should probably add that I especially like your suggestion because the "P" in Comm 105P stands for 'practice'. This means that there is practical application in the course. Thus the Cultural Event Paper, application in the journal assignments, etc.... I can't wait to hear your ideas. Dialogue with students really excites me. I feel as though students have a unique perspective, one that instructors rarely take into consideration. I try my hardest to attentively listen to each students suggestions, and appreciate every single one that comes my way. :)
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