This page is an introduction and first activity for my English 1 (Reading and Composition) class. I've included some information on expecting students to explore the class website this first week, and I've also included a link that walks them through the Canvas LMS if they are unfamiliar with it. The first assignment is three-fold. First, students must respond to my email in the format outlined in the message I wrote. Next, students are to watch Steven Johnson's Ted Talk "Where Good Ideas Come From," and then write a post on Canvas. This low-stakes post is a good way to have them work out any kinks they might have with the LMS. By introducing themselves, my hope is to begin to create a sense of community and lessen any anxiety and isolation students might feel.
Welcome to English 1
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Johnson, S. (2010, September). Where Good Ideas Come From [Video file]. Retrieved February 08, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0af00UcTO-c
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For your first first post in the class we'd like to get to know you a little better. Please select a picture or image to add to your profile. You are not required to use a photograph of yourself; you may choose an image that is a reflection of you in some way--perhaps representing a hobby, interest, etc. Watch this short video on how to set up your personal settings in Canvas--including profile picture. Once you've decided on a picture/image, please briefly introduce yourself by giving us your first name (what you like to be called) and telling us why you have selected the picture or image that you have
Secondly (in the same post), after having briefly introduced yourself, view Steven Johnson's TED Talk "Where Good Ideas Come From" (to the left) and tell us how you think this online course could be seen as a network for the "creation of good ideas." What will we all need to do in order to benefit from each other, and what can be gained? If you would like to use closed captioning, click on the "CC" link on the bottom bar of the video; likewise, if you would like to view the video in full screen, click on the frame button on the bottom right corner of the screen. As with all weekly discussions, remember that your initial post needs to be submitted no later than Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. You must also respond to at least two classmates' posts on two different days of the week. |
My Introduction |
Hi, my name is Lisa, and I am very excited to be working with you this semester. The image that I have selected is a picture of the beach. Ever since I was a child, I have always loved the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, the feel of sand in my toes, and the smell of the salt air. There is just something about being at the beach that both energizes and relaxes me. Whenever I have some free time, you can find me walking around or just relaxing on the sand.
I am excited after watching Steven Johnson's TED Talk because a lot of what he has to say encapsulates the way I see our class working this semester. Because we are online, we are in a very unique situation; you all are going to have time to consider your responses prior to posting and responding to others, and that time will allow you to think about all of the possibilities, rather than feeling like you are on the spot--the way we often feel in a face-to-face class. When Johnson defines the coffee house as "a space where people would get together from different backgrounds, different fields of expertise, and share," it speaks to me because that is exactly what this class is. As we will find out after reading each other's introductions, we come to this class bringing a lot of variety of experience. You all come from various backgrounds, and you see concepts from different perspectives: We have the type of environment that fosters the "creation of good ideas." So, as long as each of us does the reading and contributes to the class, I know that we will be able to learn a lot from one another. As Johnson so succinctly states, "We take ideas from other people, from people we've learned from, from people we run into in the coffee shop, and we stitch them together into new forms and we create something new." The ideas that you come up with and write about in this class will be your "something new." Work Cited Johnson, Steven. "Where Good Ideas Come From." TED.com. TED Conferences, July 2010. Web. 1 Aug. 2015. |
Welcome Email |
Hello, I'm Lisa Fitzgerald and Welcome to English 1 Online. Our class officially begins Monday, August 24, but the website will be open to you beginning Sunday (8/16) at midnight. Please visit the class website and familiarize yourself with the format and take a look at the "Syllabus" link, which is an essential read in understanding the course and its expectations, including texts. You should also read the "Announcements" and "Modules" links as well. If you have not used Canvas before, I suggest you take about 35 minutes and watch these very helpful videos. Please feel free to ask any questions that come up.
I'm looking forward to working with you. Lisa Fitzgerald Professor of English Long Beach City College |