Category: Instruction

Initial Comments for the May 2017 Session at DeVry University in San Antonio

geoffreybelliott11 Comments

With apologies for the delay…

I‘ve just recently signed my teaching contracts for the May 2017 session at DeVry University in San Antonio, Texas. During the session, I’ll be teaching another section of ENGL 135: Advanced Composition (which I enjoyed last time I did so), as well as a section of ENGL 062: Introduction to Reading and Writing (which will be my first time teaching it at DeVry, although I’ve taught 0-level courses before).

Having a layout of what’s due when is helpful, I find. As such, the following:

ENGL 062

The course requires two essays drafted in stages, other papers, reading lab activities, and discussion postings. Information about the papers and activities is in the course shell; grading information about the discussions is forthcoming. Due dates for each appear below; times are corrected to local time for San Antonio:

Essays

  • Essay 1 Draft, online before 0059 on 22 May 2017
  • Essay 1 Final, online before 0059 on 29 May 2017
  • Essay 2 Draft, online before 0059 on 12 June 2017
  • Essay 2 Final, online before 0059 on 19 June 2017

Activities

  • Reading Lab: Active Reading Strategies, online before 0059 on 8 May 2017
  • Reading Lab: Path Builder Diagnostic, online before 0059 on 8 May 2017
  • Reading Lab: Vocabulary, online before 0059 on 15 May 2017
  • Reading Lab: Stated Main Ideas, online before 0059 on 15 May 2017
  • Reading Lab: Outlining and Mapping, online before 0059 on 22 May 2017
  • Reading Lab: Supporting Details, online before 0059 on 22 May 2017
  • Reading Lab: Next Reading (I), online before 0059 on 22 May 2017
  • Reading Lab: Implied Main Ideas, online before 0059 on 29 May 2017
  • Reading Lab: Next Reading (II), online before 0059 on 29 May 2017
  • Reading Lab: Paraphrasing & Summarizing, online before 0059 on 5 June 2017
  • Reading Lab: Next Reading (III), online before 0059 on 5 June 2017
  • Reading Lab: Inference, online before 0059 on 12 June 2017
  • Reading Lab: Ten Patterns of Organization, online before 0059 on 12 June 2017
  • Reading Lab: Next Reading (IV), online before 0059 on 12 June 2017
  • Reading Lab: Reading Textbooks, online before 0059 on 19 June 2017
  • Reading Lab: Next Reading (V), online before 0059 on 19 June 2017

Other Writing

  • Developed Paragraph, online before 0059 on 15 May 2017
  • Summary/Reaction Paper, online before 0059 on 5 June 2017
  • Reflective and Planning Postscript, in class on 24 June 2017

Discussions

  • Week 1, online before 0059 on 8 May 2017
  • Week 2, online before 0059 on 15 May 2017
  • Week 3, online before 0059 on 22 May 2017
  • Week 4, online before 0059 on 29 May 2017
  • Week 5, online before 0059 on 5 June 2017
  • Week 6, online before 0059 on 12 June 2017
  • Week 7, online before 0059 on 19 June 2017

I know it seems like a lot, but I also know 1) preparation, particularly in so short a time as we have, is hard, and 2) my students are capable of doing the work.

ENGL 135

The course focuses on composing one paper in stages; the work is supplemented by additional activities and graded discussions. Information about the paper and activities is in the course shell; grading of the discussions is forthcoming (but will be much like it was in earlier terms, for those who have been looking ahead). Due dates for each appear below; times are corrected to local time for San Antonio:

Course Project

  • Topic Selection, online before 0059 on 8 May 2017
  • Source Summary, online before 0059 on 15 May 2017
  • Research Proposal, online before 0059 on 22 May 2017
  • Annotated Bibliography, online before 0059 on 29 May 2017
  • First Draft, online before 0059 on 5 June 2017
  • Second Draft, online before 0059 on 12 June 2017
  • Final Draft, online before 0059 on 19 June 2017

Activities

  • Information Literacy Module, online before 0059 on 15 May 2017
  • APA Format Presentation Module, online before 0059 on 22 May 2017
  • Course Project Reflective Postscript, in class on 20 June 2017

Discussions

  • Week 1, online before 0059 on 8 May 2017
  • Week 2, online before 0059 on 15 May 2017
  • Week 3, online before 0059 on 22 May 2017
  • Week 4, online before 0059 on 29 May 2017
  • Week 5, online before 0059 on 5 June 2017
  • Week 6, online before 0059 on 12 June 2017
  • Week 7, online before 0059 on 19 June 2017

I know it seems like a lot, but I also know 1) preparation, particularly in so short a time as we have, is hard, and 2) my students are capable of doing the work.

I look forward to seeing both sets of students do it!

Class Reports: ENGL 1302, Sections 02 and 03–26 April 2017

geoffreybelliott1 Comment

After treating concerns from the last class meeting and before, discussion asked after thoughts about the ChEss. It cross-updated each section before returning to assigned readings, trying to get through more of Malory.

Students are reminded of the following due dates:

  • ChEss FV (online before class begins on 5 May 2017)
  • FinEx (in the regular classroom at 1030 on 8 May 2017 [for Section 03] or 9 May 2017 [for Section 2])

Information about the FinEx remains in development.

Section 02 met as scheduled, at 1000, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 14 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting.  Thirteen attended, verified informally. Student participation was good. Two students from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.

Section 03 met as scheduled, at 1100, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 16 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. Fourteen attended, verified informally. Student participation was good. One student from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.

Class Reports: ENGL 1302, Sections 02 and 03–24 April 2017

geoffreybelliott1 Comment

After treating concerns from the last class meeting and before, discussion asked after thoughts about the ChEss, the RV of which was to have been submitted before class began. It then returned to assigned readings, trying to get through more of Malory.

Students are reminded of the following due dates:

  • ChEss FV (online before class begins on 5 May 2017)
  • FinEx (in the regular classroom at 1030 on 8 May 2017 [for Section 03] or 9 May 2017 [for Section 2])

Information about the FinEx remains in development.

Section 02 met as scheduled, at 1000, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 14 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting.  Ten attended, verified informally. Student participation was reasonably good. Two students from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.

Section 03 met as scheduled, at 1100, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 16 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. Fifteen attended, with one marked absent due to excessive tardiness, as verified informally. Student participation was good, if distracted. One student from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.

Class Report: ENGL 227.61205, 22 April 2017

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For the final class meeting, after addressing questions from and concerns about the previous class meeting, discussion turned to final concerns of the overall course project in advance of its expected submission.

Students are reminded that the Group Project Final Version is due, one submission from each group, online before 0059 on 23 April 2017–and earlier is better.

The class met as scheduled, at 0900 in Rm. 106 of the DeVry San Antonio campus. The class roster listed 11 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. Of them, six attended, verified informally. Student participation was good. Office hours were sharply truncated against the final course meeting and personal concerns.

Class Reports: ENGL 1302, Sections 02 and 03–19 April 2017

geoffreybelliott1 Comment

After treating concerns from the last class meeting and before, discussion asked after thoughts about the ChEss. It then returned to assigned readings, trying to get through more of Malory.

Students are reminded of the following due dates:

  • ChEss RV (online before class begins on 24 April 2017)
  • ChEss FV (online before class begins on 5 May 2017)
  • FinEx (in the regular classroom at 1030 on 8 May 2017 [for Section 03] or 9 May 2017 [for Section 2])

Information about the FinEx remains in development.

Section 02 met as scheduled, at 1000, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 14 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. Twelve attended, verified informally. Student participation was reasonably good. One student from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.

Section 03 met as scheduled, at 1100, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 16 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. All attended, verified informally. Student participation was reasonably good. No students from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.

Class Reports: ENGL 1302, Sections 02 and 03–17 April 2017

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After treating concerns from the last class meeting and before, discussion asked after thoughts about the ChEss. It then focused on issues of usage, particularly prescriptive and descriptive approaches.

Students are reminded of the following due dates:

  • ChEss RV (online before class begins on 24 April 2017)
  • ChEss FV (online before class begins on 5 May 2017)
  • FinEx (in the regular classroom at 1030 on 8 May 2017 [for Section 03] or 9 May 2017 [for Section 2])

Information about the FinEx remains in development.

Section 02 met as scheduled, at 1000, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 14 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. Eleven attended, verified informally. Student participation was reasonably good. One student from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.

Section 03 met as scheduled, at 1100, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 16 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. All attended, verified informally. Student participation was reasonably good. One student from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.

Class Report: ENGL 227.61205, 15 April 2017

geoffreybelliott1 Comment

After addressing questions from and concerns about the previous class meeting, discussion turned to review of report points and concerns of usage in advance of the final group submission to follow next week.

Students are reminded of the following assignments’ due dates:

  • Week 7 Discussion (online before 0059 on 16 April 2017)
  • Group Project Final Version (one submission from each group online before 0059 on 23 April 2017–and earlier is better)

The class met as scheduled, online at 0900 CDT. The class roster listed 11 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. Of them, eight attended, verified informally. Student participation was adequate. Office hours were not offered, due to the remote class meeting.

Class Reports: ENGL 1302, Sections 02 and 03–12 April 2017

geoffreybelliott2 Comments

After treating concerns from the last class meeting and before, discussion asked after thoughts about the PrEss, which was to have been submitted before class began. It then began to look forward to the ChEss and returned to Sir Thomas Malory and assigned readings.

Students are reminded of the following due dates:

  • ChEss RV (online before class begins on 24 April 2017)
  • ChEss FV (online before class begins on 5 May 2017)
  • FinEx (in the regular classroom at 1030 on 8 May 2017 [for Section 03] or 9 May 2017 [for Section 2])

Information about the FinEx remains in development.

Section 02 met as scheduled, at 1000, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 14 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. Thirteen attended, verified informally. Student participation was reasonably good. One student from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.

Section 03 met as scheduled, at 1100, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 16 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. All attended, verified informally. Student participation was somewhat subdued. Four students from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.

Class Report: ENGL 227.61205, 8 April 2017

geoffreybelliott1 Comment

After addressing questions from and concerns about the previous class meeting, discussion addressed issues of sourcing and concerns of paratextuals. Time was given to addressing group work, as well.

A reminder was offered about an upcoming scheduling difference. The 15 April 2017 class meeting will be conducted remotely. Students should look to their emails for a link to the appropriate online location.

Students are reminded of the following assignments’ due dates:

  • Week 6 Discussion (online before 0059 on 9 April 2017)
  • Course Project Draft (one submission from each group online before 0059 on 9 April 2017)
  • Week 7 Discussion (online before 0059 on 16 April 2017)

The class met as scheduled, at 0900 in Rm. 106 of the DeVry San Antonio campus. The class roster listed 11 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. Of them, six attended, verified informally. Student participation was good. No students attended office hours.

Class Reports: ENGL 1302, Sections 02 and 03–7 April 2017

geoffreybelliott1 Comment

After treating concerns from the last class meeting and before, including quiz answers, discussion asked after progress on the PrEss. It then returned to Sir Thomas Malory and assigned readings.

Students are reminded of the following due dates:

  • PrEss FV (online before class begins on 12 April 2017)
  • ChEss RV (online before class begins on 24 April 2017)
  • ChEss FV (online before class begins on 5 May 2017)

Information about other assignments remains in development.

Section 02 met as scheduled, at 1000, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 14 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. Twelve attended, verified informally. Student participation was subdued. Three students from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.

Section 03 met as scheduled, at 1100, in Weir 111. The class roster listed 16 students enrolled, unchanged since the last class meeting. Fifteen attended, verified informally. Student participation was reasonably good. Four students from the class attended office hours since the previous class meeting.