Process:
Each week, you will be expected to make at least 2 blog
posts over the assigned reading, one by Wednesday over the first
reading assignment and the other by Saturday over the second reading assignment.
You'll also need to comment on some of your classmates' posts and reply
to comments left on your own posts. How many comments you make
is up to you, but the more quality comments you leave, the better the
discussion, and the better your grade will be (see grading below).
Content:
Blog posts can be written, audio, or video or any combination of these.
Your blog posts need to be at least 250 words and should end with a question or discussion prompt for classmates to discuss in the comments. Comments can be any length
but should be substantive, not just things like "I agree! Good
post!" Comments like this may be posted for encouragement but will
not count toward your comment total. Make sure to +1 posts you like
and please remember that our blog is a public, academic space, so don't post
anything on it you wouldn't want people to see. Posts and comments may
be somewhat informal (this is a blog), but they should be academic and
respectful.
Roles:
Some weeks you will be asked to take on a different role in your blog post by
focusing on different elements of the reading.
- Close
Reader: Focuses
on the language and literary elements of the text such as symbols, themes,
repetition, motifs, diction, style, characterization, metaphor (to name
just a few) and/or analyzes closely the language and literary elements of
a few sentences or a short passage of a text
- Contextual
Reader: Focuses on the
historical, political, social, and cultural context of the author and text
- Connector: Makes
connections between the text and other things we've read, course concepts,
personal experience, current events, real life, popular culture, and
anything else that may be relevant
- Researcher: Finds outside
information related to the text to share with the class (make sure you
cite other people's words and ideas ethically and correctly)
Grading
Posts will be graded on critical
thinking and support according to the rubric below. The student each unit with
the most +1's (highest rated posts) will receive 5 bonus points.
Comments will be graded each unit on participation
and frequency/distribution; at the end of the unit, the highest comment point
total will be 100%; your comment grade will be the percentage of that total you
posted. For example, if the top commentor made 20 comments for the unit,
and you made 15, your comment grade will be 75%. Only quality comments
count toward your total, and if comments aren't well distributed (i.e. few or
no comments some weeks then a bunch the last week of the unit) a lower grade
will be earned.
Posts will count for 70% of your discussion grade and comments
30%.
Frequency
|
No posts during the week
+0 |
Posts all made on same day.
+.5
|
Deadlines missed.
+1
|
2 posts made on different days by
Wednesday and Friday.
+2
|
Post #1 Content:
Critical Thinking
(repeated for each post)
|
No posts
or posts repeat a previous blog post or contain plagiarism.
+0 |
“It isn’t entirely clear that I did
the assigned reading because my posts are mostly just personal reaction with
little analysis. I don’t really ask any questions or pose any ideas
that help advance the discussion. Or my post didn’t fit my assigned
role.”
+.5
|
“I did the assigned reading, and my
comments show that I am thinking about the context, themes, or literary
devices, but I need more development and complexity of ideas (to dig
deeper). My post helps advance the discussion.”
+1
|
“It is very clear that I read closely
and carefully, and my comments show a high level of critical thinking and
insight about the significance of the literature. I ask
questions that extend the discussion and make people think.”
+2
|
Post #1 Content:
Support
(repeated for each post)
|
No support provided. No
posts
or posts repeat a previous blog post or contain plagiarism
+0 |
“I don’t provide quotes, only general
summary or reference to the text, so many (if not most) of my ideas are
unsupported by textual evidence (i.e. just opinion or reaction).”
+.5
|
“I provide some quotes (but mostly
paraphrase) for my ideas, but there claims and ideas that are not
supported by specific evidence from the text or the evidence is not
well-chosen.”
+1
|
“I provide much well-chosen and properly
cited (author page number) textual support (paraphrases and quotes) for my
ideas and sometimes may even include references to (and citations for)
outside sources that enriches the discussion.”
+2
|
Post #2 Content:
Critical Thinking
(repeated for each post)
|
No posts
or posts repeat a previous blog post or contain plagiarism.
+0 |
“It isn’t entirely clear that I did
the assigned reading because my posts are mostly just personal reaction with
little analysis. I don’t really ask any questions or pose any ideas
that help advance the discussion. Or my post didn’t fit my assigned
role.”
+.5
|
“I did the assigned reading, and my
comments show that I am thinking about the context, themes, or literary
devices, but I need more development and complexity of ideas (to dig
deeper). My post helps advance the discussion.”
+1
|
“It is very clear that I read closely
and carefully, and my comments show a high level of critical thinking and
insight about the significance of the literature. I ask
questions that extend the discussion and make people think.”
+2
|
Post #1 Content:
Support
(repeated for each post)
|
No support provided. No
posts
or posts repeat a previous blog post or contain plagiarism
+0 |
“I don’t provide quotes, only general
summary or reference to the text, so many (if not most) of my ideas are
unsupported by textual evidence (i.e. just opinion or reaction).”
+.5
|
“I provide some quotes (but mostly
paraphrase) for my ideas, but there claims and ideas that are not
supported by specific evidence from the text or the evidence is not
well-chosen.”
+1
|
“I provide much well-chosen and
properly cited (author page number) textual support (paraphrases and quotes)
for my ideas and sometimes may even include references to (and citations for)
outside sources that enriches the discussion.”
+2
|
WEEKLY TOTAL
|
/10
|
|||
How to make a post
At the top of the screen click "New Post."
Give your post a descriptive title.
Give your post a descriptive title.
Type a written post or copy and paste from Word.
The icons above the text box can be used to add images, links, and
videos. To record a video comment, click the little black movie icon
(next to the picture icon). You can add a video from YouTube, online, or
record from your webcam or phone.
On the right-hand side of your screen, click “Labels.” Label your post with the name of the text and/or
author you are analyzing, the week, and any course concepts or other
labels you find relevant. For example: Death
of a Salesman, Week 2, The American Dream
How to make a comment
Read a classmate's post then click "Comment" to add your
comment.
+1 posts and comments you like best, are particularly interesting,
or do a noteworthy job (but don't +1 everything, or it defeats the
purpose).
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