November 09, 2005
Evaluation
I think Nanette and Ellen were really good at starting the class off at a level that everyone could access. Going over the elementary stuff to make sure that everyone was on the same page. And then pushing us further and starting to go beyond the comfort zone.
I've enjoyed having personal evaluation and feedback in the class particularly from Ellen and Nanette. And I've enjoyed being stimulated in terms of my writing and thinking. I'm learning a lot by process in addition to the actual subject matter (which I also thoroughly enjoy).
I've enjoyed the class participation. This class has given me an opportunity to interact with fellow students in a way that others haven't and I've appreciated that.
It is difficult to keep track of the assignments because there are various types and many with the three yet one class. It is much easier to follow having both handy-dandy dynamic whatchamagoodies on the site but would be still easier if there was one and if it listed as many of the assignments as possible - big ones and small.
~ Nanette
Posted by lcissavides at 11:14 AM | Comments (0)
Mid-Semester Evaluation
There are a variety of factors that have helped, or that have been beneficial to me in this class. I have always enjoyed coming together as a class to have discussions, and like reflecting together and hearing what others have to say, as well as expressing my own thoughts. Other classmates make interesting points that can support what you were thinking, while at other times, they may make new points that never occured to you. They may make sense or not, I may agree or disagree, but I think that is all part of the beauty of the class community.
The powerpoints actually really help encforce the main focus points of the class and the background text or article readings. The examples, such as paintings, included in the presentations, helped facilitate discussion and application of the ideas firsthand in the class, which helps solidify the new concepts.
The reading assignments, either in article or text-book form, are interesting, but at times, they seem quite repetative. I like reading about new things and ideas, but often when I finish a reading assignment I reflect and think that I already knew a lot of what it was about from previous assignments.
Something that I believe would really help me, and other people in the class, would be a clearer understanding of what is exactly expected of us for homework each night, and what is due for the next class. The dynamic online calanders REALLY help, but even so, they do not always seem up to date, and they do not always include everything we are supposed to do, including what we have to blog on. I would really benefit from a clear statement of what is expected of us to have done by the next class, perhaps a syllabus for the week or two weeks or so we can go by. I sometimes feel overwhelmed (actually, quite often) but the huge workload, and often do not know where to begin when it comes to tackling the class assignments.
Posted by lcisthur at 11:11 AM | Comments (0)
Self Reflection
What has helped me in this class has been learning about images and words, and how to derive meaning from them. In other courses that I've taken in high school I've had to analyze these things on a somewhat superficial level. In Zooming In, I've been able to try to think deeper about what I actually see in a photograph or a painting, and interpret the literal or figurative meaning. In Ellen's class I've pretty much challenged myself to go beyond what I think something represents based on my opinion, but try to understand other meanings as well. In Nanette's class I've found myself realizing that the way that I talk is different than someone else, because of many factors. What's worked for me in these classes has been the feedback that I've gotten from other people when writing papers and also from posting assignments on the blog. I think that feedback from my peers has helped me in my writing. Even though the reading that we do in these classes is interesting to me, sometimes I feel like we don't specifically talk about it in class as much, so I feel like I'm missing out on some discussion about that. Watching movies about what we discuss in class has also worked for me, because it really emphasizes the topic that we are discussing. I've learned a lot from the combination of both classes and have benefit from the fact that they complement each other.
Posted by lcisperez at 11:08 AM | Comments (0)
Self Reflection
What has helped me in this class has been learning about images and words, and how to derive meaning from them. In other courses that I've taken in high school I've had to analyze these things on a somewhat superficial level. In Zooming In, I've been able to try to think deeper about what I actually see in a photograph or a painting, and interpret the literal or figurative meaning. In Ellen's class I've pretty much challenged myself to go beyond what I think something represents based on my opinion, but try to understand other meanings as well. In Nanette's class I've found myself realizing that the way that I talk is different than someone else, because of many factors. What's worked for me in these classes has been the feedback that I've gotten from other people when writing papers and also from posting assignments on the blog. I think that feedback from my peers has helped me in my writing. Even though the reading that we do in these classes is interesting to me, sometimes I feel like we don't specifically talk about it in class as much, so I feel like I'm missing out on some discussion about that. Watching movies about what we discuss in class has also worked for me, because it really emphasizes the topic that we are discussing. I've learned a lot from the combination of both classes and have benefit from the fact that they complement each other.
Posted by lcisperez at 11:08 AM | Comments (0)
Emmy Evaluation
Hello!
I definitely appreciate the support I get from Ellen and Nanette.
I enjoy the subject matter very much and I feel that I am increasingly more aware of unique gestures and conversational styles.
I also enjoy the classroom setting. I think my classmates and my professors create a welcoming learning environment (this makes blogging a much easier process than it could be)
I think that with all of the reading, writing and blogging assignments, it's very easy to feel overwhelmed and behind in class. Also, it's hard to figure out what's do when (that has gotten better however)
Posted by lcisowens at 11:08 AM | Comments (1)
Mid-semester Evaluation
I enjoy our Learning Community because it challenges me in ways that my high school English classes didn't. The fact that our writing assignments are so drastically different from each other (i.e. the Ode, SLAM poem, and analytical Crash paper) that we are able to practice a variety of different kinds of writing. In high school, it was always the analytical essay that we repeated over and over again. I like the freedom here that we are given, and a new kind of assignment is always a good challenge.
What is also good about our classes is that all of the people here really want to learn. We help each other with our writing and critique each other's opinions. Having someone edit my paper helped immensely, and has helped me become a better editor myself. I recently edited a friend's paper and he was shocked at how thorough and original my comments were. I don't think I could have done it without the experience from these classes.
In terms of content, I enjoy learning the process behind language because I've never thought about it before, especially in-depth. What I like about the Visual Culture class is that it forces us to think outside of the box. It has helped me channel my creative side. The fact that the class's emphasis is not on grades but on learning is particularly helpful.
There are not many ways in which I think the program could be improved. At first, I didn't like the mandatory blogging but it has helped me to critique my own writing now that I have seen it from others' points of view.
Posted by lcishagan at 11:08 AM | Comments (2)
Mid-Semester Review
I liked the freeness in discussion we had during the LCIS. It was nice to reflect upon what we were reading or watching. It is a very innovative approach, at least for me, to do activities like visiting the MFA where the classroom is put into context. I really enjoyed that aspect. I would say my favorite assignment(s) we had were the comic assignments, especially reading Persepolis. I had never really given any thought to comics as being a form of literature until this year. I now look at comics in a completely different perspective. I also like getting feedback on my writing and having my papers written all over so the next time I may write better. I think the biggest hinderance for me was the amount of work to do in the amount of time given; sometimes I felt like I was rushing to complete an assignment or blog just for the sake of completing it because it was due and not liking what was assigned.
Posted by lcisfreya at 11:08 AM | Comments (0)
Mid-semester evaluation
I like how when we are assigned to write a paper, we are given usually a few weeks to write it, then we pass that draft in. We are then given the draft back and given another week or so to make changes to it, then we pass the final copy in. In most English classes I have taken this has not been the case. Usually when I have been assigned a paper, I am given a certain amount of time to complete it, then I hand it in and that is the end of it. I like how here we are the opportunity to spend more time with our writing. It makes you critique yourself more and really work on what could be better in your paper, and I find that this helps a lot.
I also like how the class is not as structured as other classes are. For example, in other classes sometimes worrying about when exams are and what information you need to know for the exam, gets in the way of actually listening in class. I find that in here I can really focus on the material because I do not have thoughts or worries in the back of my head concerning when or how I am going to be tested on the material.
I enjoy the creative aspect of the class as well. I feel like we are engaged in an interactive learning process, whereas in other classes it often seems like we are just copying notes from the board. In here we seem more responsible for the learning that we are doing, and I think that helps to make information stick.
One thing that impedes my learning in here is the subject matter itself. It is hard to sit for two hours and learn about different facets of communication when that is not what you are interested in at the time. I understand that what we are learning is important, but I think that in only allowing honors students to choose between two MCC courses (communication or government) the college has made it difficult for us to really choose a class that we have genuine interest in. There really is nothing that anyone can do to fix this problem, but I think it is a definite impedement to my learning.
Posted by lcissullivan at 11:07 AM | Comments (2)
Lauren's Mid-semester Evaluation
Three things that have been helpful in this class..
Writing on the blogs has definitely allowed me to write more often. This enables me to write more fluently, taking the ideas from my head and putting it down on paper at a convenience.
This class has given me a different outlook on viewing the world. I look more carefully and analyze, rather than just assuming.
Getting feedback from peers that know the content an the course is definitely helpful. Not only did I recieve constructive feedback, I also got more ideas and different viewpoints about the same topic.
One thing that has not been helpful/hard...
- I feel like Practices of Looking was a hard textbook for me to get through. Although it was very interesting, I felt like the readings were wordy and repetitive. By being so long, the text actually lost the meaning, and the reading did not seem as effective.
Posted by lcissearls at 11:07 AM | Comments (1)
Evaluation
I enjoy that there aren't any tests or quizzes, as I find those to be much more stressful than papers. I also like that we have our writing assistant, Amy. I think she is very helpful and a very good resource. Perhaps my favorite thing about these classes together is that it is so laid back. It is very casual, but yet I still learn so much.
In some ways I like that we aren't graded, although sometimes I wish we were. I like to know where I stand in my classes so that I can try and fix whatever might not be working. On the other hand, all the feedback on my papers does help, I think.
-Jessica F.
Posted by lcisfaria at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)
Mid-Semster Evaluation
Three things that have helped me to learn in this class are:
1)not being numerically graded-I am a person who stresses out so much about my grades and this has enbaled me to concentrate more on the assignment and what I am supposed to be doing instead of what my actual grade is going to be
2)the WA-is is really nice to have someone whose job it is to read my paper and correct any miskates I might not have noticed and who is able to give me suggestions about what I might do to improve the structure of our paper
3)going over the hoomework on Mondays before handing it in-I have found some of the assignments really difficult and it is so much better to go over the homework before we hand it in while I still remember what the assignment is than to have it corrected and then handed back to us a week later
One thing that has not helped me in class:
1)I think the classes are a little too long...I know this really can't be helped but sometimes I just find it very difficult to sit and listen for two hours.
Posted by lcismardin at 11:07 AM | Comments (25)
Midsemester eval.
Three things that I liked and thought were helpful so far...
- The idea that we can get peer feedback on mostly everything that we do, espcially our papers, is good because it is nice to know what other peers think of your paper, too. It's kind of like getting a different perspective on things because the peers are our age, know what we're going through, because they are kind of going through it to, and I think that it is helpful.
- The fact that people can comment on the blog because it feels good to get a good comment from somebody knowing that they feel the same way, or enjoyed something that you wrote.
- Not being graded on work and papers helps. It makes it easier to write what I am thinking because I am not worried about "oh, is this going to get me a B or and A or what?"
One thing not helpful...
- I don't like the fact that when I get a paper back, it always seems to be bad comments. There may be one or two good things, but the negative comments overpower the good and the good are often over looked. Not saying that my papers are wonderful, because I know there can be many many improvements and that the comments are there to help and to be feedback in how to improve the paper, but sometimes it stresses me out because I feel like it's not good enough. And then to get another paper back within the next few days with the same type of comments just adds on to that feeling. I think maybe if the first comment on the front page of the paper, in the top margin, was a good one, even just saying "Good try, blah blah blah" and then go into the negative would be better.
Posted by lcisnelson at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)
Mid-Semester Evaluations
Positives: 1.) I thought that the teaching approach was very different and interesting in both classes. I feel that, many times, movies, comics, pictures, etc. were shown to supplement the readings or the lesson. I found this extremely helpful because I am more of a visual person and many times, I cannot just see a concept one way; I need to see it applied to something. I need to see its significance or importance in my everyday life.
2.) I thoroughly enjoyed the grading. I am used to English classes in highschool where every bit of my writing was critiqued. There was so much structure, that I found no room to be creative and different, so being in this class and not having to worry about my grades was a tremendous relief. I could write anything I wanted. Also, I have never been in a class like this where I had to analyze everything I saw or read. Usually, I have trouble with seeing metaphors and representations, but in this class, I didn't have to worry about the grades I was going to get on my papers, I just had to focus on symbols and my own interpretation.
3.) This, in many ways, relates to the second positive, but I just enjoyed the environment in class. Everyone was just so accepting of my ideas and views. Everything I said or wrote seemed to be recognized and appreciated. For me, this was a boost to my confidence in writing. I always thought I was a poor writer, but now, I realize that I may not be that horribly bad.
Negative: 1.) It was difficult to blog sometimes, though I did enjoy it, when I have the chance. Overall, enjoy this class! No negatives.
Posted by lcisgancarz at 11:07 AM | Comments (2)
There are many things that helped me to think and reflect beyond my usual point of view in this class. The advantage of being in small class and be able to be in a small group discussion group gave me and my peers to give each other feed back. Having feed back from them gave me different and helpful ideas on certain topics we were discussing in class. In high school I always wondered what my classmates opinion on certain topic were and never had ability to share our opinions outside of class. With opportunity to blog I offered my relfection on their works, weekly and commented on others' works helped me to see where my peers stood and what their writings reflected upon.
In learning, nothing is too easy. I don't recall anything that "blocked" my learning at this moment. I hope that "block" occured to me to point out what I needed to evaluate.
Posted by lcisbold at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)
midsemester critique
The three things that assisted my learning in this community so far are: 1) The blogging itself. It has helped me create new ideas and learn from others what might be solutions to questions we have brought up in class. Also, having the dynamic calendars online have helped me keep up and stop procrastinating, for this class anyway. 2) The format of the class being in three different sections has helped tie everything together and made things more understandable for applications. Plus, I think I have found a new major thanks to Nanette's class(unfortunately it isnt offered here). The format has helped me to look around and be more perceptive with all my senses when I'm outside of class as well. 3) Lastly, the lack of extreme pressure with letter grades has helped boost my confidence in my own work and now I can be confident in new ideas that I think may be slightly controversial. It has helped me to stop just absorbing the information in class and regurgitating it but to expand my ideas and give applications to everyday life.
On the other hand, one thing that has prevented some learning in this community is the fact that sometimes it is unclear what we will be doing or how it relates to what we will be learning or have learned. For example, we do a lot of fun things in this community, but I dont exactly think meditation is needed in the middle of class. Sure, it is relaxing and some students may be stressed, but we must find our own time to relax and find a way to put that in our schedules as adults. It is understandable that there is a big transition from highschool to college, but many of us are used to stress in highschool as well. Overall, I can't say anything else that has preventing my learning because this is such a unique class and most everything we do is stimulating for the mind. It is hard to pick out something that is preventing my learning!
Posted by lcisyeich at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)
Mid-Semester Evaluation
Three Things That Have Facilitated My Learning:
This BLOG. I really think that blogging has helped my learning. In a classroom it is often difficult to know what others are thinking, and the blog helpes me to understand what others think of certain things. The blog is also great because I am able to bounce off the wonderful ideas of others in order to generate my own. I especially enjoy when people post things that relate to things we discuss in class. I think a big part of learning is when people post things that relate the classroom to the outside world because this is how we know that what we are learning is valuable. I only wish that people would do this more.
The MOVIES. (Crash, Slam) I like watching these movies in class for basically the same reason. It is awesome that we are able to relate our classroom work to something bigger. Of course, being able to incorporate "pop culture" also helps to make the class more interesting and fun!!
The DISCUSSIONS. I really love how our classroom discussions are open-ended. We are able to discuss almost anything freely and without hinderance. Also, the format is very informal so I am not afraid to say something because I know that my thoughts will be acknowledged and considered for their worth. (Or lack there of!!)
One Thing That Has Hindered My Learning:
- Although I may regret saying this, I wish that we were able to do more formal/extensive reading and writing in place of the busy work. Although I believe that reading a chapter and answering questions on it is necessary for learning, I wish that we could reflect more on it. For example, instead of spending so much time reading about morphemes, we could go out and research those particular aspects of this subject which most interest us. I also think it would be interesting, in the future, for other classes, for every student to go out, find an article they find interesting in relation to a particular subject, and then share it with the class.
--Brenna D.
Posted by lciscotis at 11:05 AM | Comments (0)