Walking used to keep me sane: by walking home from school or walking to the store, I had time to think. I also burned a few calories. Now I barely have time to walk around the property here.
Furthermore, I used to walk long distances... to the zoo and back, many miles to a friend's house. But now what? Even in El Centro when I would be walking somewhere, usually by YouKNowWho's house, students would stop me and ask, Did your car break down? Do you need a ride?
No, I am just walking, stretching my legs.
Maybe my story should be, "Califes: a memoir of living in another California." My first day in El Centro, the border, etc. wow, what a great digression: I digress therefore I am.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Irony of Using Blogs in the Comp Classroom
Some of the possible ironies of student blogs:
1. Students don't realize that they are in a public "space." They think no one reads their blog, not even the teacher. Thus, "Publicy."
2. It is not to write or reflect but to fill with MySpace stuff: all abbrevs, emoticons (smile, etc). Maybe cute but not reflective or literate.
3. It is not an online journal but a place to flatter the instructor.
4. It is a place to add posts: pure and simple cut and paste but nothing new.
5. Original but off track: has nothing to do with course, but does contain some writing that is not all pictures.
1. Students don't realize that they are in a public "space." They think no one reads their blog, not even the teacher. Thus, "Publicy."
2. It is not to write or reflect but to fill with MySpace stuff: all abbrevs, emoticons (smile, etc). Maybe cute but not reflective or literate.
3. It is not an online journal but a place to flatter the instructor.
4. It is a place to add posts: pure and simple cut and paste but nothing new.
5. Original but off track: has nothing to do with course, but does contain some writing that is not all pictures.
Syllabi alley
I have spent about two days, so it seems, rewriting my syllabi. I think I am finally there. Of course the syllabus is the main legal document of teaching and usually the only thing a college looks at anyway. Teaching is not the issue; the issue is looking good for accreditation and the state, that is all. As Ralph said, Teaching went out the door a long time ago. Well, actually I disagree and I take a more Socratic view of it all: it is not what you have written down; it's what you can do and how you can persuade.
So my great legal guia is done for now. Now let's get some mileage out of the damn thing and not work too hard the first few weeks!!!
While I know we are not independent contractors, well we are of course when it comes to copying, supplies, extras, some books and texts... of course when it comes to the syllabus, we are employees of the college, all of a sudden.
So to conclude, while I am trying to do something create, like write my paper about student blogs, or work on my novel, I am bored with my diss. research and preparing syllabi. that's the truth. Where is the creativity? Maybe I need a drink.
So my great legal guia is done for now. Now let's get some mileage out of the damn thing and not work too hard the first few weeks!!!
While I know we are not independent contractors, well we are of course when it comes to copying, supplies, extras, some books and texts... of course when it comes to the syllabus, we are employees of the college, all of a sudden.
So to conclude, while I am trying to do something create, like write my paper about student blogs, or work on my novel, I am bored with my diss. research and preparing syllabi. that's the truth. Where is the creativity? Maybe I need a drink.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Ideas about weblogs
What is a weblog in the higher education context?
Say what it is not: not quite personal; publicy. not very collaborative. Not MySpace.
It should be reflective, personal, informational and yet profound.
What can we learn from paper journals and diaries? They are personal yet important. They are reflective. Grammar is not important as long as there is basic clarity.
Audience: well, still the teacher and peers to some extent. Few comments, even from the teacher. Yet, there is still the possibility of other comments.
Collaboration is difficult, maybe the result of the technology.
but basically, weblogs are merely a space for more writing in a richer tech environment.
Don't totally abandon ideas from paper journals such as grammar and spelling are not most important. Express ideas. Get rid of conventions to freely sing.
Now instruction: Yes, it should be open ended but not vague. Teach the technical aspects in class, face to face, hands on. Present the blogs at midterm and during the last week of class to give closure to assignment and class.
Unintended consequences: What do they write that surprises you? Do the students blog after the course is over?
Say what it is not: not quite personal; publicy. not very collaborative. Not MySpace.
It should be reflective, personal, informational and yet profound.
What can we learn from paper journals and diaries? They are personal yet important. They are reflective. Grammar is not important as long as there is basic clarity.
Audience: well, still the teacher and peers to some extent. Few comments, even from the teacher. Yet, there is still the possibility of other comments.
Collaboration is difficult, maybe the result of the technology.
but basically, weblogs are merely a space for more writing in a richer tech environment.
Don't totally abandon ideas from paper journals such as grammar and spelling are not most important. Express ideas. Get rid of conventions to freely sing.
Now instruction: Yes, it should be open ended but not vague. Teach the technical aspects in class, face to face, hands on. Present the blogs at midterm and during the last week of class to give closure to assignment and class.
Unintended consequences: What do they write that surprises you? Do the students blog after the course is over?
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