I've been in classes that implement themes before, but I think that they were a bit different than the 104 set up (which has a lot to do with research).
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Assignments Smahshminements - Personal Comp Tale 11
So, I've been struggling to come up with my materials for next semester. I know what I'm doing, but I'm not sure I actually know what I'm doing (i.e. I know the subject matter, but have no idea how to implement that into a course). I've been thinking of ideas for assignments, but trying to think of constraints for students and making sure they stay within the assignment, etc. is just stressful. This process is interesting, but I'm not sure, until I have a lot of time to sit and actually focus on this, that I'll be able to come up with anything functional. What are some ways that you all have come up with ideas and implemented a theme?
I've been in classes that implement themes before, but I think that they were a bit different than the 104 set up (which has a lot to do with research).
I've been in classes that implement themes before, but I think that they were a bit different than the 104 set up (which has a lot to do with research).
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Jeremy, I don't have specific suggestions for you about using themes and creating assignments, but I do want to say that I think it's great that you're already trying to anticipate the things that students will have trouble with in their writing assignments. Detailed instructions can help them avoid some of the common pitfalls. It takes experience to be able know what all of those pitfalls are, so remember that teaching is learning. The first semester you teach is like an informed trial run, and it gets better each semester because you make adjustments based on what you've encountered.
ReplyDeleteI'm having the same issue—it's one thing to know what assignment you want to do, and another thing to write it down in a way that fifty students will understand and produce the kind of result you're looking for. I've also been thinking through the sequencing, so it was nice to get to do peer review today. Good luck with all your planning!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Morgan that it's good that you're thinking about what students may have trouble with.
ReplyDeleteFrom peer review in class Tuesday, I thought your theme was interesting and a theme many students would be able to engage in.
Something I've been doing is searching the Google for assignment ideas. Many cmposition teachers create websites for students to access, making it easy for other teachers to access those websites as well. I've gotten a lot of information, ideas, and insight from perusing the assignments on the internet, especially when those assignments are ones that have been used multiple times, so they are more polished. Just remember if you adapt or adopt an assignment from someone, be sure to give that person credit on your assignment sheet.
An easy option for your first semester of teaching (or 2nd, 3rd, etc.) would be to use the assignments that the textbook offers, The one I'm using now has assignments divided into themes at the back, and each theme has four assignments that increase in difficulty. You could use those then tweak them to get better results or to focus more on your theme.
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