Hello Folks!
I have updated the grades on Blackboard for the discussion week of April 18th - April 24th AND I input the grades for the Movie Analysis Paper. Please look over your grade and let me know if you have any questions. If you do have questions about your grade, please remember to include the following in your email:
Dates/Times/Word Counts of the posts to your blog
Dates/Locations/Word Counts of the comments you made
I find that if students keep records of this information on a continual basis, the grades really speak for themselves. However, if something is ever ambiguous or unclear, I am always available to chat over email, yahoo messenger and the phone. Please do not wait until the last week of class to question a grade, be proactive and keep track!
I will be available on and off throughout the weekend over email. Have a fabulous day!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Observation of an Outside Group Grading AND Letter Submission
GRADING
I have had a few questions about how I will grade the Observation of an Outside Group Paper. I will use the exact rubric I have been using all semester to grade your papers. I have uploaded the grading rubric to the "Projects" page on Blackboard. It is titled "ObservationGradingRubric".
Please download the rubric and use it in conjunction with the assignment sheet when finalizing your papers. The grading rubric, as you know, has additional information for the assignment. Please review it and make sure you have included everything required for the final assignment. My goal, as it has been all semester, is for every student to succeed in this course. Grading should be clear, and there should be absolutely no ambiguity to the grading process in this course.
LETTER SUBMISSION from the group leader
Your final project should include a letter from the group leader stating that you have attended at least two group meetings and that you are not already a member of the group you chose to observe. I would suggest writing the letter yourself and simply having the group leader sign the letter. If your group leader has already written the letter - AWESOME!!!
Please notify me ON YOUR REFERENCE PAGE IN A SMALL NOTE how you will be submitting your letter to me. I would prefer that you scan it into the computer and send it as an attachment along with your final paper. However, I understand that some folks do not have access to a scanner. You can either scan it into the computer and email it with your final paper by the assignment due date, or you can put it in an envelope and drop it by the Communication Studies Department Office. But please remember to notify me of how you will submit the letter.
If you have any questions about either of these issues, please contact me. I'm here to help! :)
I have had a few questions about how I will grade the Observation of an Outside Group Paper. I will use the exact rubric I have been using all semester to grade your papers. I have uploaded the grading rubric to the "Projects" page on Blackboard. It is titled "ObservationGradingRubric".
Please download the rubric and use it in conjunction with the assignment sheet when finalizing your papers. The grading rubric, as you know, has additional information for the assignment. Please review it and make sure you have included everything required for the final assignment. My goal, as it has been all semester, is for every student to succeed in this course. Grading should be clear, and there should be absolutely no ambiguity to the grading process in this course.
LETTER SUBMISSION from the group leader
Your final project should include a letter from the group leader stating that you have attended at least two group meetings and that you are not already a member of the group you chose to observe. I would suggest writing the letter yourself and simply having the group leader sign the letter. If your group leader has already written the letter - AWESOME!!!
Please notify me ON YOUR REFERENCE PAGE IN A SMALL NOTE how you will be submitting your letter to me. I would prefer that you scan it into the computer and send it as an attachment along with your final paper. However, I understand that some folks do not have access to a scanner. You can either scan it into the computer and email it with your final paper by the assignment due date, or you can put it in an envelope and drop it by the Communication Studies Department Office. But please remember to notify me of how you will submit the letter.
If you have any questions about either of these issues, please contact me. I'm here to help! :)
Proctored Final Exam
The final exam in this course will be conducted online. That means that I will open up the exam for approximately three days. The final exam is schedule for May 23rd - May 25th. This means that you can take the final exam anytime in the 3 day period.
You MUST have someone proctor your final exam. This simply means that you find someone who is over the age of 21 watch you take the final exam to make sure you have followed the academic integrity policy (see the quizzes/tests page on Blackboard for the link to the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy). This means that a person will watch you take the final exam, then sign the form that is located on the "Chapters" page on Blackboard titled "Proctor Form".
Once you and your proctor fill out the form (after the final exam is completed by you), you will send it to me. I prefer that you scan it into the computer and email it to me. You can do this by finding a scanner, most modern printers have a scanner, or you can take a good picture of the form with a digital camera and send it to me in an email. You can also fax the form to the Communication Studies Department office, or send it by snail mail.
Let me know if you have any questions about this.
You MUST have someone proctor your final exam. This simply means that you find someone who is over the age of 21 watch you take the final exam to make sure you have followed the academic integrity policy (see the quizzes/tests page on Blackboard for the link to the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy). This means that a person will watch you take the final exam, then sign the form that is located on the "Chapters" page on Blackboard titled "Proctor Form".
Once you and your proctor fill out the form (after the final exam is completed by you), you will send it to me. I prefer that you scan it into the computer and email it to me. You can do this by finding a scanner, most modern printers have a scanner, or you can take a good picture of the form with a digital camera and send it to me in an email. You can also fax the form to the Communication Studies Department office, or send it by snail mail.
Let me know if you have any questions about this.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Week of April 25 - May 1
Hello Class! I hope today finds you well. Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
*Read Chapter 11 - Group Process and Presentation Techniques
*Read Chapter 12 - Productive Conflict Management
*Participate in Week 14 discussion
Class Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). (Regarding chapter 11) Distinguish among a forum, panel, colloquium, and symposium as a mans for making a public presentation. Which one would you prefer? Why?
2). Briefly outline an example of collaborative conflict resolution that you have engaged in. Contrast that with competitive conflict. Which was more satisfying to you? To the other party?
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.
*Read Chapter 11 - Group Process and Presentation Techniques
*Read Chapter 12 - Productive Conflict Management
*Participate in Week 14 discussion
Class Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). (Regarding chapter 11) Distinguish among a forum, panel, colloquium, and symposium as a mans for making a public presentation. Which one would you prefer? Why?
2). Briefly outline an example of collaborative conflict resolution that you have engaged in. Contrast that with competitive conflict. Which was more satisfying to you? To the other party?
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.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
On Campus
Hello Folks!
I will be on campus tomorrow. I should be in my office, HGH 216, from approximately 11:30am to 12:15pm. If you would like to come by and meet me in person, you are more than welcome to. Please email me first so I can make sure I am in my office at the time you will be stopping by.
I hope to see some of tomorrow! :)
I will be on campus tomorrow. I should be in my office, HGH 216, from approximately 11:30am to 12:15pm. If you would like to come by and meet me in person, you are more than welcome to. Please email me first so I can make sure I am in my office at the time you will be stopping by.
I hope to see some of tomorrow! :)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Movie Analysis Wrap Up
I returned the last few papers this afternoon. I must say, y'all did a bit better on this paper than the last. Too often students do not look at the grading sheet prior to turning in an assignment, but it looks like more folks have reviewed the grading sheet and applied the different areas to the assignment. I would encourage you to do the same for the final paper in the class.
The requirements of writing will be the same for the final paper as it has been for the past two assignments. Preview, review, transitions, quotes from the text, include outside sources, reference page, etc....
I'm excited about reading your final course projects. Since this is a "P" class, or in the practice category, each major course assignment in this class has required real world experience. Getting out of the classroom, and out of the course text is what this class is all about.
The first course project required you to facilitate a short group assignment. The second project required you to critically analyze a movie and apply group communication concepts. The final project in this course allows you to observe a small group in a real world setting and apply course concepts.
One of the things that is common among all assignments is the applicability of course concepts. Discussing course concepts during our discussion weeks, and applying concepts to a range of projects will likely help you to remember them for years to come.
Personal note: As an undergraduate at SJSU, I remember only a handful of classes, and even fewer concepts. When I became an instructor a number of years ago, I really tried to design my classes to be applicable to the real world. This is the very reason why I have required the students across all of my classes to participate in communication activities. Some folks learn a great deal from a book, others learn from hands on experience. In Comm 141P, you get the best of both worlds. We discuss concepts and theory, but we also apply those concepts in a real world setting in a variety of ways.
But enough about me! I hope you have enjoyed the projects in this course as much as I have enjoyed reading them.
Until tomorrow.......
The requirements of writing will be the same for the final paper as it has been for the past two assignments. Preview, review, transitions, quotes from the text, include outside sources, reference page, etc....
I'm excited about reading your final course projects. Since this is a "P" class, or in the practice category, each major course assignment in this class has required real world experience. Getting out of the classroom, and out of the course text is what this class is all about.
The first course project required you to facilitate a short group assignment. The second project required you to critically analyze a movie and apply group communication concepts. The final project in this course allows you to observe a small group in a real world setting and apply course concepts.
One of the things that is common among all assignments is the applicability of course concepts. Discussing course concepts during our discussion weeks, and applying concepts to a range of projects will likely help you to remember them for years to come.
Personal note: As an undergraduate at SJSU, I remember only a handful of classes, and even fewer concepts. When I became an instructor a number of years ago, I really tried to design my classes to be applicable to the real world. This is the very reason why I have required the students across all of my classes to participate in communication activities. Some folks learn a great deal from a book, others learn from hands on experience. In Comm 141P, you get the best of both worlds. We discuss concepts and theory, but we also apply those concepts in a real world setting in a variety of ways.
But enough about me! I hope you have enjoyed the projects in this course as much as I have enjoyed reading them.
Until tomorrow.......
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Movie Analysis Returned
Late tonight I will be returning your Movie Analysis papers. A small handful will receive theirs back tomorrow, but the majority will receive them back tonight.
The grading sheet is exactly the same at it has been in the past. Please check over the grading sheet at the end of your paper and let me know if you have any questions.
I hope you all have a wonderful (and rainy) afternoon.
The grading sheet is exactly the same at it has been in the past. Please check over the grading sheet at the end of your paper and let me know if you have any questions.
I hope you all have a wonderful (and rainy) afternoon.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Week of April 18 - 24
Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
*Read Chapter 10 - Creativity in the Small Group Process
*Participate in Week 13 Discussion
*Quiz on Chapters 9 & 10 on Blackboard
*Your final project, the Group Observation Project is due in approximately 2 weeks. Please turn your papers in by May 7th @ 11:59pm.
Class Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Provide an example of creativity from your own experience. How does it fit with the chapter's discussion of creativity?
2). Name five cultural barriers to creativity. What do you think these would keep a group from being creative? Have you experienced any of these personally? Explain.
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: Thursday, April 22nd. is a furlough day. According to the university, I will not be conducting any university business (*yeah, we'll see). However, I will not be holding office hours, but I might check my email - again, we'll see. ;)
*Read Chapter 10 - Creativity in the Small Group Process
*Participate in Week 13 Discussion
*Quiz on Chapters 9 & 10 on Blackboard
*Your final project, the Group Observation Project is due in approximately 2 weeks. Please turn your papers in by May 7th @ 11:59pm.
Class Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Provide an example of creativity from your own experience. How does it fit with the chapter's discussion of creativity?
2). Name five cultural barriers to creativity. What do you think these would keep a group from being creative? Have you experienced any of these personally? Explain.
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: Thursday, April 22nd. is a furlough day. According to the university, I will not be conducting any university business (*yeah, we'll see). However, I will not be holding office hours, but I might check my email - again, we'll see. ;)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Decision Making and Problem Solving
This week's chapter will probably prove to be quite important for your Small Group Observation Project. While each person must observe a group and how they interact, most times groups will have to solve some type of problem. This is where chapter 9 comes in.
Your book covers these areas:
Decision Making and Problem Solving
DECIDE Stages of Decision Making and Problem Solving
Define the Goal, Understand the Problem
Examine the Constraints
Consider the Alternatives
Initiate a Decision
Develop a Decision Plan
Evaluate the Results and Consequences
Context Influences on Decision-Making and Problem Solving Groups
Group Composition
Group Process
While observing your 'outside group', quite a few of you will probably encounter decision making and problem solving. Not only are these broad concepts applicable in your life in relation to small group communication, they are applicable to your final group project. As you become more familiar with small group communication concepts, particularly as it relates to decision making and problem solving, you will see some of these concepts emerge in everyday encounters when interacting with small groups.
It's too bad the discussion this week was cut because of furloughs. Problem solving in a small group setting is quite important to understand.
Your book covers these areas:
Decision Making and Problem Solving
DECIDE Stages of Decision Making and Problem Solving
Define the Goal, Understand the Problem
Examine the Constraints
Consider the Alternatives
Initiate a Decision
Develop a Decision Plan
Evaluate the Results and Consequences
Context Influences on Decision-Making and Problem Solving Groups
Group Composition
Group Process
While observing your 'outside group', quite a few of you will probably encounter decision making and problem solving. Not only are these broad concepts applicable in your life in relation to small group communication, they are applicable to your final group project. As you become more familiar with small group communication concepts, particularly as it relates to decision making and problem solving, you will see some of these concepts emerge in everyday encounters when interacting with small groups.
It's too bad the discussion this week was cut because of furloughs. Problem solving in a small group setting is quite important to understand.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Week of April 11 - 17
Hello Class! Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
*Read Chapter 9, Decision Making and Problem Solving.
*The discussion this week has been canceled due to furloughs this semester.
*Start writing assignment #3 - Observation of an Outside Group. As a reminder, this assignment is due on Friday, May 7th. You should have started observing your chosen group already, and have started piecing together your paper in rough form.
NOTE: I will not be holding office hours on Tuesday, April 13th as I am scheduled for jury duty that day. I will be available through email though.
*Read Chapter 9, Decision Making and Problem Solving.
*The discussion this week has been canceled due to furloughs this semester.
*Start writing assignment #3 - Observation of an Outside Group. As a reminder, this assignment is due on Friday, May 7th. You should have started observing your chosen group already, and have started piecing together your paper in rough form.
NOTE: I will not be holding office hours on Tuesday, April 13th as I am scheduled for jury duty that day. I will be available through email though.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Furlough Day
Hello Folks!
As a reminder, today is a furlough day for me. While I will not be holding office hours, I will be checking my email on and off throughout the day today. It may take me a little longer to respond since it's a furlough day, but I will get back to you.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
As a reminder, today is a furlough day for me. While I will not be holding office hours, I will be checking my email on and off throughout the day today. It may take me a little longer to respond since it's a furlough day, but I will get back to you.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
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, Group Facilitation, Movie Analysis Paper, Small Group Observation, 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 variety of assignments and different requirements will diversify your grading.
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 variety of assignments and different requirements will diversify your grading.
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!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Grades Posted for the Week of 3/21-3/27
I posted grades this morning for the discussion week of March 21st-27th. Please look over your grade and email me with any questions. When you email me please include the following:
1). Dates/Times/Word Count of the posts to your blog
2). Locations/Word Count of the comments you made to your colleagues blogs
I tend to find that if students keep track of their posts and comments (locations, dates, times, word counts), grades are somewhat self-explanatory. However, if there are every ANY questions, I'm here to chat about your grade.
Grades in this course should be clear! If there are ever any questions about how something is evaluated, please email me immediately so I can clarify the grading process for you. If a question is posed by a student, I will usually post to my blog about it in case others have the same question.
NOTE: I really enjoyed reading your posts about Chapter 7, Listening and Feedback. Listening and Feedback are involved in many aspects of communication. For those that have taken numerous communication class, I'm sure you have read over these principles quite a few times. Your discussion during the week of 3/21-3/27 brought some new insight to this topic because of the personal experiences y'all shared. Since this is a repetitive aspect of communication, I thought that by sharing our personal experiences with Listening and Feedback, we were able to gain a bit more understanding from an applicable point of view rather than reading about theory.
(Nerdiness alert.......) I really miss reading your posts during the weeks we do not have discussion. I think students can bring great diversity and richness to the virtual classroom setting, and I miss that when y'all have a week of from discussion. I can't wait until your next discussion week. Have a fabulous day everyone! :)
1). Dates/Times/Word Count of the posts to your blog
2). Locations/Word Count of the comments you made to your colleagues blogs
I tend to find that if students keep track of their posts and comments (locations, dates, times, word counts), grades are somewhat self-explanatory. However, if there are every ANY questions, I'm here to chat about your grade.
Grades in this course should be clear! If there are ever any questions about how something is evaluated, please email me immediately so I can clarify the grading process for you. If a question is posed by a student, I will usually post to my blog about it in case others have the same question.
NOTE: I really enjoyed reading your posts about Chapter 7, Listening and Feedback. Listening and Feedback are involved in many aspects of communication. For those that have taken numerous communication class, I'm sure you have read over these principles quite a few times. Your discussion during the week of 3/21-3/27 brought some new insight to this topic because of the personal experiences y'all shared. Since this is a repetitive aspect of communication, I thought that by sharing our personal experiences with Listening and Feedback, we were able to gain a bit more understanding from an applicable point of view rather than reading about theory.
(Nerdiness alert.......) I really miss reading your posts during the weeks we do not have discussion. I think students can bring great diversity and richness to the virtual classroom setting, and I miss that when y'all have a week of from discussion. I can't wait until your next discussion week. Have a fabulous day everyone! :)
Monday, April 5, 2010
Grade Updates - Blackboard
Hello Class! I hope today finds you well.
I will update Blackboard with the blogging grades for the week of March 21st - 27th by tomorrow morning. I will post to my blog when that is complete. Once the grades are updated, please check your grades and let me know if you have any questions.
I hope you all have a fabulous night! :)
I will update Blackboard with the blogging grades for the week of March 21st - 27th by tomorrow morning. I will post to my blog when that is complete. Once the grades are updated, please check your grades and let me know if you have any questions.
I hope you all have a fabulous night! :)
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Week of April 4 - 10
Welcome back from Spring Break. I hope your Spring Break was as restful as mine was. I am very glad we have a week of during the spring semester, because I'm sure each and everyone of you could use a bit of time off to catch up on assignments.
Here is what is on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
*Read Chapter 8 - Group Evolution: Teams
*Quiz on Blackboard on chapters 7 & 8
*Your Movie Analysis Paper is due by Friday, April 9th @ 11:59pm. Please submit your papers early to avoid a late penalty.
NOTE: Thursday, April 8th is a furlough day and I will not be holding office hours.
Here is what is on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:
*Read Chapter 8 - Group Evolution: Teams
*Quiz on Blackboard on chapters 7 & 8
*Your Movie Analysis Paper is due by Friday, April 9th @ 11:59pm. Please submit your papers early to avoid a late penalty.
NOTE: Thursday, April 8th is a furlough day and I will not be holding office hours.
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