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I too included this story in my course. For those of you that might not know, Alice Walker is the author of "The Color Purple."

Again, I also included this particular story in my course. Flannery O'Connor has written many short stories, but this one is probably a "classic" within the genre.

Point of view is the first thing a writer has to think about when preparing to write. Depending on the point of view, what is written and how it is written will be very different.

This is an exaggerated account of the actual post pardom depression that the author suffered from after the birth of her daughter. Again, a classic short story that I have included in my course also under "point of view."

I love that they too included this story. As you read it, you can't help but wonder how Jack London manages to keep describing his surroundings, which really don't change. He's a master.

I like that there is a workshop component to this course, where it appears that students will go through the process of writing a short story. It also looks as if they might publish as well, or at least go through the process of publishing so that students can attempt to publish in the future.

Excellent resource for those students who are seriously looking at writing for a living.

My students will be blogging as their journaling tool.

I'm going to include a student project that also has them create and work within a Wiki. It looks to be the perfect environment for collaboration on a single document (a short story).

We are already learning this through our use of "self assessment." I would imagine it takes a few runs through the course to work out all the kinks, and if it's a subject like science or technology where the information changes constantly, it's ever-evolving.

In the wake of new technology, the role of the student is changing very quickly to one of self-directed learning.

Ah this is a philosophical stand. Many times we teach by the way we learn; however, this may not be the best for our students.

That's an interesting idea, especially when there are too many discussions going on.

I was going to have my students do the same, however, I just noticed that the course shell has an option for a Wiki...did anybody else see that? Anybody know how it works? I have since decided to give my students a choice other than to "write" a short story in small groups within a Wikispace. I'm going to allow them to recreate or interpret a short story in a multi-media fashion. Howard Gardner influenced. :-)

I think they will surprise you!

Very good idea, because you're right...it seems like a very large amount of information that you're trying to cover. Case studies might work better.

Perhaps you can assign one particular article, and then actually provide them with the links to 1-3 other article they might find of interest.

Have you gone through the learning activities for each module and guesstimated how long it would take them to do? That might give you a better idea of whether it's too much. Just a suggestion.

don't forget to self-assess!

Dewey was a great believer in the connection between the educational system and the social community. "It was forgotten that to become integral parts of the child's conduct and chracter they must be assimilated; not as mere items of information, but as organic parts of his present needs and aims -- which in turn are social" (Dewey). In his book, The School and Society, he talks about the deep connection between home and school, between home and work, and the importance of the school as the connector.

I need to create a rubric for my "Book Club" forum. Any suggestions for where to start? Do I reinvent the wheel, or are there sites that have pre-fabricated rubrics that can be tweaked to fit my needs?

Hi Donna, Whenever youi can do not reinvent the wheel. I am going to post either today or tomorrow a post on building a rubric. First I need to see what Alex wants us to do

Can we do this, just borrow a rubric from somebody else? That would be awesome, but I don't want to plagarize anything.

I prefer to think I synthesize....I always search the internet for "ideas" for my rubrics and course syllabi.

I don't understand this comment.

This was base on reading only half of the rubric...

This is the second time you've brought up this issue. The way I see, Alex is the instructor, and she has designed a course with rubrics. I really don't see that the rubrics are that difficult to understand. I understand you wanting to get an "A" but if you want the "A" you have to work hard for it. If your life circumstances prevent you from doing what she considers the fair amount of work, that's not her problem. I don't feel an instructor should change the syllabus or rubrics for every student that complains about the work load, unless the instructor has received numerous complaints. I think that perhaps you have a lot on your plate right now, atleast that's the feeling I get from reading some of your posts. I can understand that, I've been through a lot myself this semester. However, it's unfair to expect Alex to change the point system just for you. May I suggest something: Clearly you are a hard working student, but circumstances are obviously preventing you from putting in the amount of work needed to earn an "A." Just accept that and work toward a "B" which is a perfectly acceptable grade. Take the pressure off of yourself. It's just a grade. A year or two from now it won't matter. All that will matter is that you learned about online teaching and came away with a robust course that you can teach. I think that's a good deal.

Donna My comment is a pedagogical one and not an attack on Alex. The point I may not be making clearly, why the number 12? I am not the only student who has stated that a post takes several hours. Does Alex require this? No. Why I take this time is because of the quality I expect to bring to the discussion forum. I was not posting prior knowlege, but new understandings. Learning takes time and the #12 does not seem to recognize this time. I again do not see "choice" in this rubric. I agree the knowlege is the goal, and I have no problem with what I have learned and will continue to learn. However, with the exception of the last grading I have not gotten a "B" but failed every discussion forum except the last. Yes I was teaching a summer online course. I also have home responisblilites. These were stresses, but not obstacles. According to the expectations we were expected to do ~ 45 hours in class work and 100+ hours building our course. I don't know about you but the class work I have done over 150 hours just in class work. Finally, why do I bring this argument up for a second time. It is not for Alex to change; but for you all in this class to not simply copy and use Alex's rubric in your own courses. That is why I speak out.

Again if I had scrolled down I would have seen that 12 posts were not required.

Good idea!

i TOTALLY LOVE this image : ) thank you! : )