Category: Announcements

Still More about the New Feature

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So, I’ve thought more about what I want to do. For now, I’ll keep going with the donation buttons I have had–look for the link below–and, if the amount of money that comes in justifies it, I will see about migrating over to Patreon. So there’s that much figured out, at least for now. I’ll possibly want to change it later, but I can do that.

That I am not going with Patreon for the moment, though, does not mean that I cannot use ideas I ran into with it–as well as at such things as Kickstarter and GoFundMe (the latter of which I have used in the past). One such is the notion of rewards. I’ve noted that I’ve been given through the kind of button I have used in the past, and I’ve made a point of making direct thanks to those who have. A thank-you does not seem out of line for all contributions–and a thank-you on the next post made would be good, I think. Others should receive more, though.

Before going on about that, I ought to make a note about what I will be going on with. First, I’ll be looking into pushing out the Pronghorn stories. It seems a good thing with which to start. Other stuff might happen afterward. Or it might happen in and among the Pronghorn stuff. I might have to mess with it.

Anyway, those who contribute $25 (or more) will get their names integrated into the story in some minor way–a passing reference to a person in the town, perhaps, or an exchange with a cashier or server. Those who contribute $50 (or more) will also get a hard-copy of a Pronghorn story (please tell me which so that I can send the right one), signed. Higher contributions will get more, to be sure, but I am not quite arrogant enough to think that I can get more yet.

More to come later, obviously…

Did I bring you as much pleasure as a cup of coffee does? Half a cup? Could you kick in as much for me so that I can keep doing it? Click here, then, and thanks!

More about the New Feature

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As I note in yesterday’s post, I am looking for ways to supplement my income stream, and since I already do a fair bit of writing, it makes sense that I would try to do so with the writing. I am still looking at Patreon–I am mindful of my good friend’s advice–but, in the meantime, I figure that I can continue to use the donation buttons I have long had (an example of which appears below; contributions are welcome). I know that they work, and I am happy to accept what others offer freely.

Donate Button with Credit Cards

The thing is that I have several ideas for what to address. I can, for example, follow the pattern I have in another webspace I maintain–the one that prompted my friend’s comment–and compose a cycle of poetry in these posts. (Indeed, I have one in progress already that might well serve.) I could also use this space to work on an idea I have long had, one detailing the workings of the large town or small city of Pronghorn.

Other ideas are possible, to be sure, and I have no doubt that I will pursue them now and again. For now, though, I will have to give the matter some more thought…

New Year, New Feature?

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It is not a secret that most of the work I do in this webspace is in support of my teaching, that the “i” in “Elliott RWI” has gotten more attention than any other part of the site. That it has makes sense, since most of my time is taken up with the work of teaching–and it presents some problems to the pursuit of full-time academic work, since most of an academic’s time is supposed to be spent generating research.

It alsoDonate Button with Credit Cards presents some problems for my ability to support my family. The salaries of those who teach are not often high–and rarely have been, outside of a few special circumstances–and those like me who do so part-time fare even worse in that regard. As such, I have for some time featured buttons like that appearing amid this paragraph, and I cannot say they have been wholly unsuccessful at bringing in a bit more support. They have not brought in a lot of it, though, and I find myself in need of more of it; doing the things that are mentioned on my biography are not inexpensive, and raising a family is no small thing.

As such, I am looking into developing a Patreon or somesuch thing. (It has been recommended to me by a good friend that I do so.) Either that, or I will be making more posts to this webspace that focus more on the “w” in Elliott RWI and appending the “Donate” button to each. In either event, any support will be welcomed, and I hope to offer something more widely useful than my teaching materials–which my students note appreciating–have been.

Further Comments about the January 2017 Session at DeVry University

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I was advised by the administration at DeVry University that, due to low enrollment, the class I had previously been offered at the institution (here) has been canceled. As such, I will not be teaching at DeVry University during the January 2017 session. It is something of a disappointment; I enjoyed the work I did there last time and was looking forward to doing it again.

Updated Comments about the Spring 2017 Instructional Term at Schreiner University

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In order to ensure that I can remain available to help the students at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, I have accepted an adjustment to my teaching schedule for the upcoming term. Instead of the schedule I initially report having for the term, I will be teaching two sections of ENGL 1302: Literature & Composition–Sections 02 and 03, MWF 1000 and 1100, respectively. While I would have liked to have been able to teach the History of the English Language class, outside factors have made that option currently unavailable; those students who signed up for the class specifically to take it with me should be assured that qualified faculty will handle the course.

I apologize for the adjustments that my shift in schedule will require and hope that I will continue to be able to be a benefit to the Mountaineer students.

Initial Comments for the Spring 2017 Term at Schreiner University

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I have recently received word that I have been assigned two courses for the Spring 2017 term at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. I am happy to have been thus informed. The classes are

Information about each will be forthcoming; please check back for updates.

In the meantime, I look forward to the continuing work of teaching, as well as to the opportunity to teach new classes!

Initial Remarks for the September 2016 Session at DeVry University in San Antonio

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As the new session begins and I find myself teaching ENGL 227: Professional Writing, there are a few things that present themselves as needing attention. Chief among them are due dates and certain assignment materials, both of which are presented below.

Due Dates

The University generally holds that weeks begin and end at midnight Mountain Time on Sundays (so at 0100 Monday mornings in San Antonio). Each week’s assignments are due before the week ends, meaning that written assignments are due according to the following schedule:

  • Resume, to the dropbox before 0059, 5 September 2016
  • Quiz, completed online before 0059, 12 September 2016
  • Routine Message, to the dropbox before 0059, 19 September 2016
  • Group Project Informal Analytical Report, to the dropbox before 0059, 26 September 2016
  • Negative or Bad News Message, to the dropbox before 0059, 3 October 2016
  • Group Project Formal Proposal (Preliminary Version), to the dropbox before 0059, 10 October 2016
  • Group Project Formal Proposal (Final Version), to the dropbox before 1159, 23 October 2016 (although earlier would be appreciated)

That the final assignment is due at a different point in the week than other assignments is an artifact of anticipated grade submission deadlines. I cannot put in final grades until I have assessed all assignments–and it takes time to assess projects.

Additionally, discussions must be completed according to the following schedule:

  • Week 1, before 0059, 5 September 2016
  • Week 2 open, before 0059, 12 September 2016
  • Week 2 group, before 0059, 12 September 2016
  • Week 3 open, before 0059, 19 September 2016
  • Week 3 group, before 0059, 19 September 2016
  • Week 4, before 0059, 26 September 2016
  • Week 5, before 0059, 3 October 2016
  • Week 6, before 0059, 10 October 2016
  • Week 7, before 0059, 17 October 2016

Typically, in each class meeting’s report, I will indicate the next applicable set of due dates. Still, knowing them ahead of time makes drafting a personal schedule easier–which should, in turn, make getting done all of what needs to be done easier.

Assignment Materials

How to handle the discussions on which class relies needs some explanation. Some of it is taken care of by the course shell already, but most of it is not. As such, I present the following document, which lays out what I expect and how I will assess it in the September 2016 session: ENGL 227 Discussion Assignment Sheet. Hopefully, it will clarify matters in advance of them becoming confused.

I look forward to teaching more professional materials once again, and I look forward to working with the students enrolled in my section for the session. Both promise to be enriching experiences for all involved.

Updated 30 August 2016 to account for better information.

About Additional Updates to My Teaching Life

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I have received word about upcoming events relating to my teaching career. At DeVry University, I have been offered a section of ENGL 227: Professional Writing for the September 2016 session. At Schreiner University, I have been offered a section of ENGL 1301: Rhetoric & Composition and a section of ENGL 3333/THRE 3333: Shakespeare: Comedies & Sonnets (the class is cross-listed) for the Fall 2016 term. I have accepted the offers, which are in addition to the courses I had already been assigned.

Information on the courses is in development, but I thought it might be good to keep people abreast of what is going on with me as I move forward with the Instruction part of Elliott RWI.

An Update for DeVry

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In class last night, a quirk in my assessment practices was identified. As such, I have revised my ENGL 135 Discussion assignment sheet; the new version is here: ENGL 135 Discussion Assignment Sheet Revision. It will be fully in force beginning with Week 3.

As a bridge-over, those students who had posted under the earlier stated deadline on Week 2 will receive full credit. Those who posted under the more common deadline on Week 2 will receive partial credit. It is my hope that the solution will read as equitable and allow for a better understanding moving forward.