September 6, 2009 · Comments Off
This fall I’m teaching ENG 121, English Composition I, for the first time at Red Rocks Community College. (I usually teach ENG 122, English Composition II, and ENG 131, Technical Writing I.) ENG 121 is a first-semester freshman-composition class in which students have to write at least five essays “that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing.”
The textbook I selected is the eighth edition of Axelrod, Cooper, and Warriner’s Reading Critically Writing Well: A Reader and Guide (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008). The students’ first essay is an autobiographical essay about a significant person or event.
Since most of us can’t write (or even “type”) as fast as we think, it occurred to me that having someone else take notes while the student talked about the event or person. In class, I divided the students into groups of three or four according to where they were sitting. (The room is set up with round tables with four chairs each.) I instructed them to take turns talking about the subjects of their essays while other members of the group took notes and asked questions to elicit details.
Some students hadn’t chosen topics for their essays–despite being instructed to do so for this week. Some groups just talked about their subjects without writing anything down. However, I’m pleased to say that one group did follow my directions and told me later that they found the exercise very helpful.
I intend to try this technique again when appropriate–probably with more detailed directions.
Categories: Education
Tagged: composition, ENG 121, prewriting
I recently learned that several colleges in Colorado now have an island, Colorado EduIsland, in Second Life:
- Colorado Community College System
- Pikes Peak Community College
- Aims Community College
- Morgan Community College
- Otero Junior College
- Community College of Aurora
- Arapahoe Community College
- Colorado Mountain College
- Red Rocks Community College
- Colorado Community Colleges Online
- Trinidad State Junior College
- Lamar Community College
- Community College of Denver
- Front Range Community College
Yesterday I stook some snapshots on the island, which is still under construction. The slideshow is here.
Categories: Education
Tagged: Colorado, elearning, second life, virtual worlds
July 10, 2009 · Comments Off
Last night I watched The Other Boleyn Girl. After the recent celebrationof the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s coronation and marriage to Catherine of Aragon (in real life and Second Life), I was interested in seeing something set during his reign. From what little I know, the costumes and settings seemed pretty accurate. It’s too bad the plot wasn’t. The movie adhered to the major historical events of the time, but apparently not to the details. Among other things, Mary didn’t visit her brother and sister while they were imprisoned.
For more information on Mary Boleyn, visit the following sites:
Categories: Education · Entertainment
Tagged: Anne Boleyn, England, Henry VIII, history, Mary Boleyn, Tudor
June 23, 2009 · Comments Off
Book:
- Schwarz, Arthur L. Vivat Rex!: An Exhibition Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Accession of Henry VIII. New York: Grolier Club, 2009.
Websites:
Social Media:
Videos:
Categories: Education
Tagged: England, Henry VIII, history, humanities, Renaissance, Tudor
June 21, 2009 · Comments Off
Categories: Education · Mathematics
Tagged: algebra, ebooks, math, tutorials, tutoring, videos
April 23, 2009 · Comments Off
Saturday, April 25, 3-6 p.m. SLT (PDT)
Globe Theatre, 3:00 p.m.
Sonnet reading
Introductory remarks
Scene from Romeo and Juliet
Discussion with audience
Arena, 4:30 p.m.
Fencing
Rose and Crown, 5:15 p.m.
Storytelling
Sunday, April 26, 12-3 p.m. SLT (PDT)
Manor House Garden, 12:00 noon
Sonnet reading
Arena, 1:00 p.m.
Fencing
Jousting
Globe Theatre, 2:00 p.m.
Scenes from Much Ado about Nothing and Henry V
Discussion with audience
Both Days
Commons Area
Faire with merchants, games, and dancing
Demonstrations, Tours, and Lectures
Kitchen
School
Globe Theatre
Gardens
Categories: Education
Tagged: history, literature, Renaissance Island, second life, William Shakespeare
Yesterday, laura1621, author of Rhetorically Squeaking, commented, “I love what you are doing with Second Life. I have thought about getting involved in/checking out Second Life, but I’m afraid that I would wind up playing versus doing anything remotely work related. Maybe I can figure out a way, now.”
I put the following list together for her and other educators like her who want to check out Second Life but haven’t done it yet.
Websites:
Videos:
Mailing Lists:
Organizations:
Books:
- A Beginner’s Guide to Second Life. Las Vegas: v3image, 2007. at Amazon.com
- Carr, Paul, and Graham Pond. The Unofficial Tourists’ Guide to Second Life. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2007. at Amazon.com
- Rymaszewski, Michael, et al. Second Life: The Official Guide. 2nd ed. Indianapolis: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2008. at Amazon.com
Categories: Education · Instructional Technology
Tagged: second life, video, virtual worlds
