B. & C. Please be sure and read through all of the syllabus and posted course assignments. You can find these either on the website under forms and documents or D2L under content. Please view the videos on the Blog to get a tour of the website and features of the course. Respond, under the posting “Clarifying Course Expectations” something you viewed or read as important information, so that your group can clarify course expectations and materials. This is where we will all learn more about the logistics of the course. You MUST respond to least one posting to see what others are discussing and to aide in clarifying course expectations.
You can locate the syllabus on the website, on D2L (Content) or you can click below:
You can located the Thematic Unit Guidelines, Assessment Plan Guidelines and Video Analysis Guidelines by clicking the link below:
To Access Assignment Guidelines CLICK HERE
Preparation for the discussion: Read the syllabus, schedule, course assignments & rubrics, and look over the course support materials. Look at the discussion forum topics.
Preparation for the discussion: Read the syllabus, schedule, course assignments & rubrics, and look over the course support materials. Look at the discussion forum topics.
COMMUNICATION: ONLINE DISCUSSIONS
D2L TOUR
TOUR OF THE WEBSITE
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ReplyDeleteNicholas, I noticed that you had written several comments under this section. I was going to answer/comment on a few of them; however, I see that you have removed your comments. Is all ok? Did you just want to revise your thoughts a bit?
ReplyDeleteWill you be adding things throughout the week or will your Sunday/Monday post of assignments and readings be what we need to cover?
ReplyDeleteI am also interested in know this answer.
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DeleteHere are my questions for the group:
Delete1. Is the thematic unit supposed to be a full unit or just a partial unit? Do we need to outline the remainder of the unit if it is only 3 lessons?
2. How many lessons does my cooperating teacher need to critique? Just one? I was confused by the wording of this in the syllabus/assignment.
3. Do the lessons we teach have to be from the thematic unit we are turning in? I am working on writing a unit that I will be teaching next semester as part of my student teaching. Unfortunately the class the unit is a part of is not offered this semester. I would like to use a unit that I will teach next semester so that I can get feedback as we work on the edTPA next semester. The lessons I have been teaching this semester have been here and there and not in order as I am not at my site every day. I would prefer to work on writing a unit that is more in order than what I am able to do during my field experience this semester.
Will this blog site or comment area require the same authentication each time we post?
ReplyDeleteDoes the notification just show up on this site or does it show up on whatever blog site we logged into to? (I chose the google option but didn't see anything come across in my gmail or anything.) The blog is new to me, so I'm just making sure I'm posting correctly.
The first post I did - I posted under group one with out realizing that it was separated by groups. Do I need to move my post (about reading) to my group?
I found that I only had to sign in the first time I posted & then I just click "keep me signed it" or whatever it is. I'm posting under the (Google) option, though - since we had to set those accounts up for Marti last semester anyway. So, if you're using google you shouldn't have to sign in every time.
DeleteI didn't get any notifications in my e-mail, either. I don't know that this blog site notifies us - maybe you could change that in your settings somehow? I never saw the d2L site notify us either...
Re: your post - I would move it into your specific group area if it's for task A or E, it looks like B, C, and D we're doing as a group :)
Hi Kris and Sara,
DeleteJust to share, I am prompted to verify each time I post a comment or reply. I don't have the option of staying logged in. It might be a function built into your web browser.
I think if you keep your e-mail account open it does not require you to prompt to sign in each time. I use g-mail so it might depend on who your e-mail host is.
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ReplyDeleteSorry, my post are consistently deleted for some reason. I'll try and post again. For Task B&C, is there a designated place to post individually generated questions for each group? Is this the section where we post both our individual questions and our group generated questions?
ReplyDeleteThanks
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ReplyDeleteGroup 2, "Clarifying Course Expectations" Messsage from Nicholas Gaudette
ReplyDeleteHi Jesse, Nancy and Laura. I created a Group 2 Thread for Generated Questions. Please see my questions below!
Question 1.)
Under our Edina Section 82 on the google site, when researching Homework Assignments, There are 2 sections for Homework due on October 29th. The first section is Task A-E where groups can post by accessing the "Useful Links" link on the left side of the page. For the second Homework for Week of October 29th unit "Thematic Unit" the text directs us to find the Google Doc in the "Useful Link" area, however no link is provided under the "Useful Links" section. If this homework is due by 11:59pm on Tuesday, October 29th, where do we post the Thematic Unit information?
Question 2.)
In the first youtube video about online discussion, the video guided us to review discussion guideline information from a document listed under "Forms and Docs" on the left side column. The video was opening a link to examples of 3 different types of posts. The Discussion Guideline document is not present in our "Form and Docs" link. There are many documents listed including the syllabus, but there is no "Discussion Guidelines" doc. I even looked in our content tab under D2L and could not find the document.
Question 3.) Multiple part question about the Blog site:
These are 4 questions that I have that may or may not be able to be changed, but they all pose some difficulty when trying to navigate through the assignments
A. Under Task E, on the blog posting site Day 2 online, I am having difficulties reading the blue text on the dark brown backdrop. Is anyone else having difficulty reading the blue text? Is it possible to change the color to something lighter?
B. When posting in the in the comment boxes under the Day 2 Online blog site, is it possible to make the comment posting box larger so we can see more than 5 lines when cut/copying text? Maybe this irrelevant on other computers, but I am only able to see a few lines and sometimes the text gets jumbled when it is imported from a different document (paragraph breaks don't always line up).
C. When the initiator is supposed to start a post, should we title the first comment with our group number? For example, I am assuming that each initiator will start a group post under Task B&C on the blog site. Task B&C are not split into groups like Task A and E.
D. Can we edit post or comments once they have been published without deleting the initial post? If we misspell a word, how do we go back and change it? I published a comment, added to that comment and my whole first initial post was deleted and replaced by my reply...
Hey Nick,
DeleteRegarding question 3, B.) I figured out that if you go to the bottom right of the comment box - where there should be 2 little diagonal lines - you can click on that with your mouse & make the box a little bit bigger...not a huge amount because it still has to fit in this brown, shadowy area of the page - but enough to see more like a paragraph at a time, rather than just 3 lines or so.
Maybe that will help a little?
-Sara
Response Nicholas' Questions:
ReplyDeleteGroup 2: Nicholas, Thank you for generating a group 2 thread, but I was hoping that all groups could just post here, so that everyone could benefit from questions, answers and comments generated from all the members of the class. My past experience teaching in an online format is that many people often don't think to take a sneak peek at other groups discussions to seek out answers. However, I don't expect you to reply to every member of the class. That would take too much time. Thus, I set the requirement of only responding to your group members. It is much more manageable
Question 1) You are correct in that the Google Docs is not located in the "Useful Links" section. The link is embedded within the section of the blog that I want you to take it up without having to leave the Blog site. In the video/power point I invite you to explore your reader identity and would like you to take up the questions and response in the moment. A suggestion for making your way through the blog is to start at the top of the Blog and just watch/read/follow your way down to the bottom it might help you to make sense of what needs to be done.
I am sorry about the Thematic Unit Information link. I will get this up and running.
Question 2)
The discussion guideline information is now there. I had handed this out to your section as a hard copy in class on Tuesday, October 22 and I chose to embed it right into the directions of the Blog this first class. This way again you would not have to refer to outside sources, but to just make your way down the course/blog.
Question 3)
A) I am so sorry that this is showing up blue for you. It is not on my computer. Is it showing up blue for others? It is set to be white print on brown background.
B) It is not possible to make the posting box larger, but there are arrows on the right that let you scroll up and down to view what you've written in the past. A suggestion I always make is to complete all written work in a word document and then cut/paste the document into the "comment" section. This allows you to reread, revise and think through your work before posting.
C) Taking a look at the lesson plan/task list sent out via email (this was the document that was attached to the email) you will see that task E is the discussion area reserved for our readings this week. It also states that the initial post by the initiator needs to be made by Wednesday, October 30 (5:00 PM). This document is also located under "Forms and Docs." It is titled KSP 669 Edina Day 2.
D. I am sorry, but you are unable to edit posts once they are published without deleting the initial posts. This is another good reason to do you work on a word document and then cut/past.
I hope this helps. Please keep the great questions coming.
I actually learned a lot from reading this post! I was having trouble with this but have now figured it out. I feel really bad that I was looking in the wrong places but I am trying to get my posts in! AHHH!
DeleteSo on the online weeks, we are expected to do four hours of work, PLUS the 10 hours of expected work? That seems like quite a bit of work to do 14 hours in one week, for one class.
ReplyDeleteThe assessment that we use for the thematic unit, does there need to two separate ones for pre and post? Or is the one assessment used twice? I noticed in the example, a variety of assessments…is that what’s expected?
I guess, overall, I’m just a little overwhelmed with looking at the amount of work for this class. With the readings, assignments and posts it seems like a lot. Does anyone have any tips or feel the same way?
I also feel overwhelmed, Molly! There are so many different documents and places to go, I feel like I'm constantly missing something. I would say just try and take it one step at a time and hope you made it through everything. That's how I do it, anyway :)
DeleteRegarding the hours of homework - I feel like you usually don't take up as much time as expected - some weeks are more and some weeks are less. Also, some people work faster than others. As graduate students with extensive experience reading and writing, I bet what would take some people 14 hours to get through might take us more like 7 or 8. At least that's what I hope. Throughout my various college experiences, though, I've never actually had to spend as many hours on classes as I'm frightened into expecting at the beginning of the term.
Regarding your final question - I'm not sure yet, I need to look at the assessment assignment more carefully still.
Hi Sara and Molly,
DeleteI am also having difficulty finding the place to post the Thematic information. Have either of you located the link where we post the Thematic Unit information?
I had a similar question about that assignment, but according to the word .doc we received it isn't due until next Tuesday's class.
DeleteI am so sorry, but I have done a terrible thing. I have decided to change how we will share our thematic unit. I will be sending out an email to all by the end of the day. I am so sorry about this confusion.
DeleteI did not receive the email about the thematic unit. Did it go out yet? I have also been wondering where to post about that since it is due today.
DeleteHi Molly, I just posted a similar comment under Michelle's post. I'm overwhelmed too, but I think it's because it's hard for me to keep track of what's due one what day and where to post, etc. Like Sara said, I've just been going down the list that Teresa send us with our Week 2 tasks and completing those when I'm able.
DeleteI also get overwhelmed when I read "10 hours additional homework time" but thinking back to a lot of syllabi, most college courses technically have the same requirements (4 hours "in class" and approximately 2 or 3 times that "outside" class in homework). I usually take it with a grain of salt. I think it's mostly to encourage us to budget enough time to get all of the work done, even if it might not take that long.
Thanks to everyone for ideas and support on feeling overwhelmed! We've gotten through a couple semesters together already, what's a few more weeks!?
DeleteMolly, I agree with what Karin says - take it as a recommendation to budget the use of your time. Also, some of that time is also "processing time." That is, the time that you spend thinking about issues that we have discussed in class or that we have read about, and then gone on to reflect and process on your own, to enhance your learning. That's another way to approach the learning time. A lot of that reflection and processing overlaps with what we are doing in our other classes, in our field experiences, and just daily life.
DeleteThis might be too late and I am sure you have found the answer by now, but we only have to bring the topic and such to class fro discussion and sharing. I am much happier with that plan! I am also very overwhelmed, especially because this class is using a different format that every one of my other classes.
DeleteQuestion 1: On the attachment to the e-mail you sent it looks like it says the Thematic Unit Plan assignment is due for next week's class, but the only info on this assignment that I could find is in the Guidelines document. Is there anything else we need to know about this assignment (specific formatting or structure)?
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: My understanding from class was that the online weeks we would start work on Tuesday night like a normal week, but should we expect to have the readings done before Tuesday every week? I think you mentioned it in one of the videos, just wanted to clarify.
Question 3: Will the blog topics be separated somehow from week-to-week or will we just scroll down to the bottom each time?
Jesse,
DeleteThank you for the great questions. I wrote a post earlier about the thematic unit theme. I am so sorry about this confusion. I will be sending an email later today in relation to that.
Questions: 2 Yes your thinking is correct in that could wait to start to work on Tuesday night, but YES you should have the readings read before Tuesday if at all possible. I do make the class available earlier to give people a little more flexibility. BUT technically you are not expected to do anything until Tuesday at the very earliest.
Question 3: Each day we meet online you will get a brand NEW blog. Each blog houses only what is needed for that week. That way you do not need to weed through past requirements and such.
Great Questions!
Thanks for clarifying and for posting the readings early, I'll make sure to check my e-mail earlier next time!
DeleteHello everybody,
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit difficult for me to come up with three specific questions, as there is so much information, it's hard for me to imagine that there is anything that isn't explained somewhere! Furthermore, I am often chastised in this program for not reading through everything thoroughly and finding answers on my own...that being said, it kind of leads to my first question for everybody:
1.) We are all busy, working adults - often in other classes and with other obligations. How do you guys organize your schedules to make sure you're keeping up with the discussions/readings/field experience work for this class? Does anybody use a particular schedule/routine they've found useful (for reducing stress & promoting timely completion of everything)?
2.) How does everybody feel about this blog versus using the d2L site? I remember in class last week somebody was excited about not using d2L - but then I ran into a girl at the Mankato bookstore who was saying she found it was more work that the information was spread out over d2L, this blog, the professor's main site, and our e-mails. So, I'm curious if people find this new format interesting or confusing or...something else entirely?
3.) Finally, I'm a little puzzled about the thematic unit assignment and whether that must overlap with our field experience or not. My initial thought was that it was supposed to line up - but then, looking over the syllabus, it seems to be a stand alone project (along with the assessment piece) just for use within this course.
Thank you for any answers/feedback!
-- Sara
I am so missing the D2L format. It took me 12 minutes to figure out where to post my first response.
DeleteI think a lot of people have hit on this question but it probably why I am asking. This format is hard for me to follow. There are so many different tabs to read the area to post questions.
ReplyDeleteMy question is why are we not using D2L for discussion posts?
The lay out who has written, who had posted, who has responded to each other by date and shade the post you have read. So much easier to follow.
I would agree. I'm really having a hard time getting my comment to post in the correct spot here. D2L was much easier to use and get my post in the correct spot. I've also had trouble with my initiator post not having enough room. I had to post it in two different posts.
DeleteI am with you!! I'm very frustrated with the format. I'm not a fan of the hybrid format in the first place because it's hard to keep online discussions straight when there's so many different due dates for each assignment, instead of just attending class one evening. I'm also confused about why certain things need to be posted in docs and certain things in blog comments.
Deletequestion two: I had and continue to struggle with all of the different dates that required to post things. I feel it would be easier if there were only two dates. For example all initial discussion post are due on Thursday and all responses are due my Sunday. I began working on my responses today and see that I have already missed a few deadlines.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I completely agree with you. I also find it difficult to have so many different deadlines. Not only is consistency important for our students, but important for us as well!
DeleteAnother question...Do you all understand what we still have to turn in for Dr. Chapman's class? I'm really confused and don't remember her talking about the last two assignments. Anyone else in the same boat or that could help me understand?
ReplyDeleteThe only information I've read/understood about those assignments is from the Field Experience section in Dr. Chapman's D2L. As far as I can tell, most of the assignments are almost identical to what we had to do for our Level 2 field experience, but other than that I don't remember discussing any of the assignments further.
DeleteI also am having trouble coming up with 3 specific questions, in that I am in such a position of confusion I don't think I have enough knowledge to ask a purposeful question. I will follow along as best as possible.
ReplyDeleteIf someone has helpful hints on how to get our arms around this new format and plethora of obligations I would be a happy camper.
I also seem to be missing the thematic email
ReplyDeleteI have not gotten it yet either, so I am guessing it was not sent out yet.
DeleteI am so sorry! I have just sent it out. Please check you email for it.
ReplyDeleteI really like the fact that there is an agenda for each day of the course. How much flexibility is there if we get off topic? Alternatively, what is our motivation to stay on topic?
ReplyDeleteThe course description is brief but very dense; what should be our primary takeaway from this course?
While I appreciate the change from D2L, I know that many others are struggling
with it. How much flexibility is there to work during the offline weeks in alternative ways that might be more effective, productive, etc., for the groups
involved? I'm not suggesting we change it for everyone, but what if one group
wanted to use some sort of live chat function (even typing in a shared document) during the offline weeks and then posting a link to that, instead of writing the blog posts?
Mike, I feel bad about complaining about the new format, since I also welcome a change from D2L. I do think the posts were easier to follow though because conversation seemed more directed. Blog comments make me feel like I'm posting on reddit or tumblr, and are just difficult for me to follow personally. Thank you for your suggestions on alternative ways of posting. I'm sure those of us who are struggling will get the hang of it soon!
DeleteI also really appreciate the agenda. I just mentioned to Molly, who asked for suggestions to stay on task, that following the agenda piece by piece has definitely made assignments feel more manageable!
I don't think you need to feel bad about saying the new format doesn't work for you; that's part of the process of identifying our own preferred methods, and developing more empathy for our students when they might struggle with something that - to our own perceptions - is working just fine.
DeleteI was looking on D2L and I read over the academic language appendix for art - I am wondering if we will have much focus and discussion around literacy and how it applies to our specific areas. For example, will I walk away with a good sense of how literacy and different literacy needs can be met inside the art room?
ReplyDeleteLaura I think this is a question a lot of people might struggle with in relation to their content areas. But even right now in the unit's we're creating for Gina's class, we're required to include an academic reading component. I feel like the benefits of this class for us specifically, will be learning how to apply language in a variety of ways - pictorial, written, oral, or otherwise - to encourage student literacy in the art room (which may mean something different than in academic/core classes).
DeleteMany people have already mentioned having difficulty coming up with three individual questions; I hate to be a copycat, but I’m having difficulty too! It’s very clear that Teresa has put a lot of work into posting information and videos to help us navigate the sites and has explained the assignments in detail (let’s be realistic, we’ll all ask a bunch of questions no matter HOW much an assignment has been explained on paper). That being said, here are my questions:
ReplyDelete1) Like many others, I’m having a hard time understanding if the thematic unit is intended to be directly connected to our field experience, or if it’s something separate. I’ve read the document that explains the unit in detail, but I need a bit more clarification. I recall briefly discussing this in class last week, but only remember discussion of taking ideas from those lessons…is this intended to follow in line with our field experience this semester?
2) Also regarding the thematic unit, I’m curious about the planning commentary. Is this a completely separate paper from the information that we include in the edTPA versions of our lesson plans? I’ve written at least 3 full units in TPA format in addition to many individual lessons (I think most of us have) and am very familiar with the layout. All of the questions included in the planning commentary are covered in the “content focus,” “academic language demands,” “monitoring student learning,” and “knowledge of students to inform teaching” sections of the TPA. Is the planning commentary simply a narrative/essay version of all that information that’s already included in the TPA?
3) I appreciate the connection between reading/listening and writing/talking when comparing online and face-to-face class time. Like you mentioned in the screencast video, online discussion is more beneficial if it flows more like a natural conversation, and when ideas are discussed, rather than repeated or simply “liked.” I also appreciate the fact that each week we take on different conversation roles (initiator, illuminator, responder, and summarizer) because it makes each of us process the information in a different way and has the potential to create more meaningful discussion. That being said, natural conversations don’t always happen so systematically; I have talked to many different classmates about this, and all have agreed that it’s difficult to post so consistently at such specific times (it was difficult in Dr. Chapman’s class as well). When were unable to make deadlines because of other obligations (class, work, family, etc.) what is the penalty for getting off topic or not responding on the exact due date for each discussion post?
Karin, your 2nd question is a good one for me, too. I'm not sure about the formatting of the the planning commentary or how it all fits into our overall lesson plans. For that matter, I didn't think our lesson plans had to be in that TPA format anymore? Well, hopefully it will all be clarified on Tuesday.
DeleteI'm also hoping we will get some clarification about the ways we interact in our online weeks. I like this format (I've had enough of D2L discussion boards), but I'm open to alternatives if that works for the group, too. I appreciate Teresa's creative approach to this part of the assignment, as it differs so much from the D2L format and has a much more natural feel for me.
Rest of my questions:
ReplyDeleteI'm a little nervous about the whole blog thing - sad to say I am behind times when it comes to the blogging. That being said, I am feeling a little overwhelmed with this process, and I'm sure it will subside within a week or two, but should I happen to miss something will I get a heads up - in hopes that I can have a chance to get it done and not lose credit? For example: I posted somethings the other night but they never showed up - I did use a different browser per your e-mail and that seemed to work, but I am afraid I will make other mistakes...
I see a few people posting about Thematic Unit and where we should post this - from my understanding we just need to be prepared to discuss this in class next week - nothing needs to be done online - right?
Yes. I think a lot of us are just looking for clarification, but as far as assignments go, we just need to have something ready to talk about in class.
DeleteI appreciate that it is spelled out in the syllabus how many hours of homework are expected of us. How much of our Field Experience time is included in this calculation, or is the 10 hours separate from this?
ReplyDeleteMy cooperating teacher isn't ready for me to take over a whole hour, let alone three full periods. (He has already said next semester is a different story.) How long do our Field Experience teaching segments need to be to qualify for the video clip and other portions?
When will we gain access to articles for the week? Is this all on Sunday or Monday, or will we be able to read them throughout the previous week? I just need to know if I should redo my work schedule to accommodate the reading assignments?
I am also wondering about the length of the video clip. Could we go over this in class on Tuesday?
DeleteGreat question! It seems that everything is a little different for ESL, but the group that I'm teaching all of my lessons to is only 30 min. long, so hopefully there isn't a time limit! Talking on Tuesday would about this would be very helpful.
DeleteFirst of all, I finally today found a way to successfully post without my posts being swallowed up by a cyber beast. So, hello everyone! (I miss D2L format).
ReplyDelete1. Will this class how to work with ELL strategies in reading? I have many ELL students in my Theatre class, with no solid ELL support.
2. I lost several days of online discussion and missed deadlines due to technological malfunctioning and mishaps. I did not have the ability to spend the extra time needed to work through these issues that arose until today. Will this affect my grade for the week?
3. Are we receiving one grade for the two classes combined or two grades? I'm still confused about how these classes are separate and yet integrated.
To comment on your first question Nancy, THANK YOU for bringing up the need for strategies for ELL students in reading. Every content teacher will need to know these strategies and I hope that we can discuss them further sometime this semester. If we don't cover it, I would love to help brainstorm some for your specific situation.
ReplyDeleteAs for your third question, I don't have a definite answer. However, last fall we had the same format of two classes like this semester and we received two grades.
Molly I'd be interested to talk with you about ELL in specific content classrooms as well. I currently have several students who speak NO English in the art room, and visual aids and illustration can only go so far!
DeleteThe Final Karin-Mike-Molly-Ian (Group #1) List of Questions:
ReplyDeleteMany of our questions/concerns dealt with the new format and suggestions for better understanding the new format and were fortunately answered by our fellow classmates. At the end of the day, we have two overarching questions/themes that our group is concerned with:
1) Many of us have expressed concern with deadlines. Ultimately, we are curious about how strict deadline and discussion topics are, and what the specific penalties for late posts/discussion diversion will be.
2) We also had several questions related to clarifying the Thematic Unit requirements, however, it has been made clear that we will discuss this further in class on Tuesday. The looming problem seems to be understanding the final format for our Thematic Unit.
Here is my question:
ReplyDeleteIt seems that I have really screwed up this week and failed to post some things on time. I will have all of the posts completed tomorrow (Monday) and I am sorry that I got so mixed up! This should not happen again and I feel much more comfortable with the format now. UGH
My questions was actually about the points for these discussions. Will I still be able to salvage some points for this week or did I just blow it big time? :(
Delete