Before I get to my post today- check out what BET did to my fairy sentence on her Blog
Ok- back to the regular scheduled writing:
At my desk I stare at the screen with a smile on my face, proud that I have included myself in the online class discussion for creative nonfiction. I worked hard to read and reread my peers posts and our materials for discussion. I spent my valuable time creating a post that I had hoped would connect with other people in the class. I click my mouse over and comment on every one of my fellow classmates posts. By weeks end I have posted in every discussion forum, I have commented on every one of my fellow peers, the teacher has given me a 100% in discussions, and yet I find myself disappointed.
I sat down today to figure out why and I have decided I'm so used to commenting on other peoples blogs and getting comments back that I had not realized it doesn't apply to class discussions. I simply expected it because it was a class discussion. With those expectations came my disappointment, which in turn gives me a small level of excitement when some one finally does comment on one of my posts. This also makes me grateful to the community all of us have built online. We have created something that's hard to find in a class room.
If a class room applied half the things we have applied to ourselves online here in this community, then students would get a great deal more out of the education they pay for in college.
My History of Rock and Roll class has been more productive, and I'm getting along better with people in the class, perhaps it is due to the fact I can see them face to face, unlike in creative nonfiction- where all discussion is online. I'm learning quite a bit from it as well. I didn't know that Elvis did not write his own songs. I had never realized there was so much Country in rock music, and that a guitar could be used in so many different ways. I am enjoying figuring all of this out, plus its giving me creative ideas- which is always a bonus. When I have more time I'll highlight some points of discussion in my class so you can see what I'm up to my ears in...(literally).
Have a fairy wonderful day!
Ok- back to the regular scheduled writing:
At my desk I stare at the screen with a smile on my face, proud that I have included myself in the online class discussion for creative nonfiction. I worked hard to read and reread my peers posts and our materials for discussion. I spent my valuable time creating a post that I had hoped would connect with other people in the class. I click my mouse over and comment on every one of my fellow classmates posts. By weeks end I have posted in every discussion forum, I have commented on every one of my fellow peers, the teacher has given me a 100% in discussions, and yet I find myself disappointed.
I sat down today to figure out why and I have decided I'm so used to commenting on other peoples blogs and getting comments back that I had not realized it doesn't apply to class discussions. I simply expected it because it was a class discussion. With those expectations came my disappointment, which in turn gives me a small level of excitement when some one finally does comment on one of my posts. This also makes me grateful to the community all of us have built online. We have created something that's hard to find in a class room.
If a class room applied half the things we have applied to ourselves online here in this community, then students would get a great deal more out of the education they pay for in college.
My History of Rock and Roll class has been more productive, and I'm getting along better with people in the class, perhaps it is due to the fact I can see them face to face, unlike in creative nonfiction- where all discussion is online. I'm learning quite a bit from it as well. I didn't know that Elvis did not write his own songs. I had never realized there was so much Country in rock music, and that a guitar could be used in so many different ways. I am enjoying figuring all of this out, plus its giving me creative ideas- which is always a bonus. When I have more time I'll highlight some points of discussion in my class so you can see what I'm up to my ears in...(literally).
Have a fairy wonderful day!
11 comments:
When I include online discussion in a class I'm teaching I always give points not only for original comments made but also for thoughtful responses to fellow students.
Exchange of ideas and interaction are important for learning as they are for developing as a writer.
C.N. The exchange and interaction, I agree, are important to both.
I'm taking an online class too and I love the idea of following each others' blogs. I think it's harder to connect this way because it takes longer to get to know each other, but what a great idea!
I think you are so lucky to take a rock and roll class. I bet it's fascinating!
It's interesting to compare two completely different types of learning. When I took an Open University course in 2000 it was all class based, but now they are taught mostly online. There must be benefits in both methods, I think.
Lovely to see your sentence signed!
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OH I believe in fairies!!! Oh wow!! That's a really fab way of saying it!! Yay for you and BET!!!
I think that so long as you are enjoying your online courses and are participating and giving the course your all - is what matters!! Maybe it;s just early days yet for the classes - hopefully as the class gets used to each others' online presence the discussion will be livelier! Good luck and take care
x
Maybe the teacher needs to implement blogging into the curriculum. And I'm well aware there's more sounds a guitar can make than I will ever entice out of mine!
ooo! I would love that class! Yep, it's a blommunity~ :D <3 xoxo
Sorry we built you up, only to have class let you down. But then again see what you learned from that let down :) OOOH, don't get me started on guitars and rock music. Wait til you get to the blues and if you don't, demand a refund :D
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Great work in college. It certainly seems like hard work. I can't wait to go back to college.
The History of Rock sounds like a fun class! Music is a part of our families life. There are so many people that don't write their music. Now, do you know which authors don't write their books? I have an interview coming up that talks about some of that. Crazy!
Anyway, great post again. Too bad about them not coming back to comment on yours as much as you did.
Aww, thank you so much for the shout out. :D
And I'm unfortunately one of those class people who doesn't comment much on discussions, but blogs are so much more fun to read and comment on! And I didn't know any of those things about Rock and Roll either...I look forward to hearing what ideas they're giving you! :D
Every venue of learning has its limitations and pluses. But to engage in a class on the history of Rock and Roll must be fascinating. Blogging is definitely different than online university classes. Some students think more about taking than giving and taking. The Dead Sea syndrome versus the Red Sea way of life. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. It means a lot. I'm so weary from my blood courier hours, I hope that I have made sense. Have a great mid-week. Roland
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