The semester, or rather life, has thrown us a curve ball in terms of how the course will run. Unfortunately, due to lack of time preparing, this new online format will limit some of the direct engagement we tend to have in the classroom, as well as the ability to do group work at the same pace and scale. It simply isn’t realistic to think that you’ll all be able to log on at the same time for a sustained amount of time (1.5 hrs) every day. Maybe if you had signed up for an online class from the start, or if I had planned to teach online, this would be different. Instead, we will have to adjust. More experimentation!? Well, I’m okay with that. You’ll have to be as well.
The following should give you an idea of the types of activities I will make available on a weekly basis and how we’ll substitute certain activities to create some semblance of course participation and community.
1. Classcraft is, by now, familiar, and fortunately you’re all set up to continue using it for main quests, including Epic Quests (essays) and Focused Meditations (critical reflections).
Note: Essay 1 is due this week 3/23, but all quests are structured as modules, meaning that you cannot unlock steps and advance if you have not completed prior steps. Many of are stuck on prior steps, whether submitting your outlines or peer review responses, but you will not be able to submit your essays until you have done so. No email essays, please.
2. Flipgrid is essentially an app that you might think about as video blogging (vlogging) for academics. There will be two weekly prompts that you’ll be required to respond to. You can use this from your computer browser, but I would recommend that you download the app.
To respond, you will record yourself using your phone. The tool allows you to pause if you want to and to continue recording. You only have a max of 2 minute responses. Be direct and concise.
The first one, addressing this big change in course format under Covid-19, is up already: Flipgrid Response #1
3. Zoom is another tool we will be using to get some face to face time. I can use this to lecture when needed, but I think it will also be how we do our discussions. You will need to keep up with readings and take more seriously both your Coming To Terms annotations and any SSQ (critical questions) you have about readings assigned.
Although we will have short meetings on Zoom, we will not remain in Zoom for the entirety of “the class period”. Rather, we will use it periodically, most traditionally during times that would have been reserved for class, but you’ll be able to see the recorded conversations we have.
I will be adding Zoom meetings to our schedule soon. In the meantime, keep up with readings, continue working on your main assignments, and stay healthy.
Professor Gomez 