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Posts authored by tengrrl

Genre Analysis Report Overview

Genre Analysis Report Overview published on

This is the post for January 5, 2018.

Notes for Today

  • Progress Reports Moved to Monday. Remember that I moved all the work for the progress reports to Monday. It’s a short assignment, so one day should be enough time.

Readings for Today

Tasks for Today

  1. Complete the tasks and readings included in the Genre Analysis Report Overview Module in Canvas:
    1. Review the Genre Analysis Report assignment and Similar Project Examples by Students to refresh your understanding of the project and its requirements.
    2. . Read the information on writing reports from the online textbooks (listed above and in the Canvas Module). .
    3. Check for tools that can help with your research by reading the infographic on the right of today’s post and the blog post “12 Essential Chrome Extensions for Student Researchers” from the Educational Technology and Mobile Learning blog on research extensions.
    4. Read the Extra Posts for additional information that can help with your project. Leave a comment if you like.
    5. By 11:59PM, submit your 01/05 Labor Log in Canvas. Your log should cover all the work you have done for the course this week. The grace period for your log entry ends at 11:59 PM tomorrow (01/06).
  2. Conduct the research for your Genre Analysis Report, and be sure to keep track of your sources for your bibliography. Use the instructions in Step 3 of the assignment to guide your research. This is a large project, so I encourage you to work steadily during the weekend, rather than waiting until the last minute.
  3. Record the work you do during this weekend in your Labor Log. I will only grade the work that you recorded through today (Friday) You’ll have another entry due next Friday, and of course, you will use the information you are tracking when you write your final exam.

 

Note: This infographic has a text-based transcript.

 

Photo credit: Chrome Extensions Infographic from Educational Technology and Mobile Learning.

 


 
Last updated on Sunday, December 31, 2017

Short Proposal Submission

Short Proposal Submission published on

This is the post for January 4, 2018.

Readings for Today

Tasks for Today

  1. Complete the tasks and readings included in the Short Proposal Submission Module in Canvas:
    1. Learn how to improve your project by completing the readings for today and then using the information to revise your project before turning it in.
    2. Submit your Short Proposal in Canvas by 11:59PM. If you are taking advantage of the grace period, submit your project by 11:59PM on Friday, 01/05.
  2. Record the work you have done for the day in your Labor Log. Your Labor Log entries for the week are due tomorrow.
  3. If you want to get ahead, you can read the assignment for the Genre Analysis Report and the Progress Report assignments, which we will begin tomorrow.

 

Note: This infographic has a transcript.

 


 
Last updated on Saturday, December 30, 2017

Grades on the Professional Bio Project

Grades on the Professional Bio Project published on
Top 5 Ways to Improve Your Project Grade: (1) Read the assignment. (2) Complete every step. (3) Check your work with the self-assessment. (4) Have a group member check your work. (5) Review the assignment to make sure you completed everything.
Top Five Ways to Improve Your Grade

I have graded all of the Professional Bio projects. In this post, I’ll comment on how everyone did and what you can do if you are not happy with your grade.

Overall Feedback for the Class

  • Complete bios: Everyone did a good job following the instructions in the assignment by including all of the required information and paying attention to document design.
  • Work on document design: Most of the projects used a good layout, with the image well-integrated with the text. Some projects could be improved with more attention to “chunking” text and visual elements.
  • Stronger sentences: In some projects, the phrasing was unnecessarily long. Very long sentences in a document like your biography can make it hard for the reader to follow the ideas. Try the #Watch: Using Strong Verbs post for a video from the American Chemical Society that demonstrates how changing the verb can shorten and strengthen the sentences.
  • Semicolon use: A couple of people had difficulty with the proper use of semicolons. For a refresher on how to use semicolons, watch the Ted Ed video below. It is a little elementary in style (with the game-like cartoon image), but it is a thorough explanation:

Revision Activities for the Bio Project

I have reopened the assignment so that those of you who want to revise can improve your project. Follow the guidelines below to resubmit your work.

  1. If I made a mistake
    Send me an email message or a private message in Canvas with the details. I’ll fix it.
  2. If there were problems with the content or design of your bio
    Revise your project to improve your work, adding whatever is missing or tweaking the design. Resubmit your project, and I will regrade your work. All revisions MUST be submitted by 11:59PM on the last day of class (Friday, 1/12).
  3. If you did not submit your work at all
    It is too late. Be sure to turn in all the remaining projects if you want to pass the course.
  4. If something else is going on
    Send me an email message or a private message in Canvas with the details. I’ll see what I can do to help you.

 

Note: This video has closed captioning, so it does not need a transcript.

 

Credits: Infographic was created on canva.com. Star icon from The Noun Project, used under a CC-BY 3.0 license: rating by Guilhem. Burruss Hall by joepyrek on Flickr, used under a CC-BY-SA 2.0 license.


 
Last updated on Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Short Proposal Overview & Peer Review

Short Proposal Overview & Peer Review published on

This is the post for January 3, 2018.

Notes for Today

    Today, we begin work on the last three major projects you will complete for the course. All of the remaining major projects in the course are connected. Here’s how:

    Genre Report Timeline

    The important detail here is that you have to decide on your plan for both the proposal and the genre analysis report today.

Readings for Today

Tasks for Today

  1. Submit your Analysis of Writing in Your Field project in Canvas by 11:59PM, if you are taking advantage of the grace period.
  2. Complete the tasks and readings included in the Short Proposal Overview & Peer Review Module in Canvas:
    1. Review the assignments for the Short Report Proposal (due 01/04) and Genre Analysis Report (due 01/10).
    2. Read the chapters on writing proposals:
      1. Proposal Writing Basics from Business Communication for Success
      2. Proposals from Online Technical Writing
    3. Check out the Examples, Cases & Models: Proposal for some models you can use as you work. There are also examples on the assignment pages.
    4. Complete peer review in the Group Feedback on Short Proposals Discussion in Canvas:
      1. Share your draft with your writing group.
      2. Give feedback to the members of your writing group, following the suggestions in the #Watch: Peer Review Commenting Strategies post.
      3. Use the feedback from your group members to revise your proposal (which is due Thursday, 01/04).
  3. Read the Extra Posts for additional information that can help with your project. Leave a comment if you like.
  4. Record the work you have done for the day in your Labor Log.

 

Note: This image already has a text description, so a transcript is not needed.

 


 
Last updated on Sunday, December 31, 2017

Analysis of Writing Submission

Analysis of Writing Submission published on

This is the post for January 2, 2018.

Readings for Today

Tasks for Today

  1. Complete the tasks and readings included in the Analysis of Writing in Your Field Submission Module in Canvas:
    1. Learn how to improve your project by reading the #Infographic, #Tutorial, and #Watch posts for today as well as checking the sites listed in the readings above for help with writing in your career field. Use the related information to revise your project before turning it in.
    2. Submit your Analysis of Writing in Your Field project in Canvas by 11:59PM. If you are taking advantage of the grace period, submit your project by 11:59PM on Wednesday, 01/03.
  2. Record the work you have done for the day in your Labor Log.
  3. If you want to get ahead, you can read the assignment for the Short Proposal, which we will begin tomorrow.

 

Photo credit: Evernote ETC: My Field Notes by Brooks Duncan on Flickr, used under a CC-BY 2.0 license.


 
Last updated on Saturday, December 30, 2017

Audience Analysis Comic

Audience Analysis Comic published on

This is a bonus post for the weekend of December 30, 2017.

Many of you have probably already seen the XKCD comic below, titled “University Website.” Beyond being a funny reflection on what you see on college websites, it’s a great example of what goes wrong when composers fail to think about what their audience needs. The people who decide what goes on these websites are meeting someone’s goals, but not all of the people who go to the site for information.

As you think about the audience for the kinds of writing you list in your Analysis of Writing in Your Field project, think about what this comic tells us about the people who use a kind of writing. A single document can have a lot of different audiences (and purposes).

XKCD comic: University Website
Permanent link to this comic: https://xkcd.com/773/

 

Comic Transcript

Image Description

A venn diagram. The left circle is labeled "things on the front page of a university website" and contains "campus photo slideshow," "alumni in the news," "promotions for campus events," "press releases," "statement of the school's philosophy," "letter from the president," and "virtual tour." The right circle is labeled "things people go to the site looking for" and contains "list of faculty phone numbers and emails," "campus address," "application forms," "academic calendar," "campus police phone number," "department course lists," "parking information," and "usable campus map." The only item in the overlapping section is "full name of school."

Title Attribute Text

People go to the website because they can't wait for the next alumni magazine, right? What do you mean, you want a campus map? One of our students made one as a CS class project back in '01! You can click to zoom and everything!

 

 


 
Last updated on Friday, December 29, 2017

Analysis of Writing Overview & Peer Review

Analysis of Writing Overview & Peer Review published on

This is the post for December 29, 2017.

Notes for Today

  • Holiday weekend. I have designed the course so that you can catch up (or take a break) on the weekends. Since Monday is a holiday, you have a long weekend. The next new Module will be work for Tuesday, 1/2.
  • Posting on the blog. I have to approve your first comment on the blog before it appears. After I approve the first one, your comments will approve as soon as you post them. I use this strategy to keep spammers off the site.
  • Using examples wisely. The examples linked from the assignments show you what some students have done for the assignment. Don’t copy them exactly. Be original.
  • Lots of resources today. There are several additional posts today that you can comment on. Even if you decide not to comment, be sure to check out the content. It will help you with this second assignment.

Readings for Today

Tasks for Today

  1. Submit your Professional Bio in Canvas by 11:59PM today if you are taking advantage of the grace period.
  2. Complete the tasks and readings included in the Analysis of Writing in Your Field Overview & Peer Review Module in Canvas:
    1. Read the Analysis assignment. You will create a table of the kinds of writing in your field. The project is due on Tuesday, January 2. The grace period for the project ends on Wednesday, January 3.
    2. Read the relevant information that will help you with specific parts of your project:
      1. Find info to help with the Audience column in your project in Audience Analysis: Primary, Secondary, and Hidden Audiences (from Writing Commons). The missing image for Table 1 is available at http://writingcommons.org/images/Audience_Analysis.JPG. You can also read Chapter 2 of Technical Writing: Audience Analysis.
      2. Find info on ethics. If you are focusing on ethics in your table, check out Ethics in Technical Writing, Chapter 9 (9.1–9.6) of Technical Writing.
      3. Find info on intercultural and global issues. If you are focusing on intercultural and global issues in your table, check out Practicing Intercultural Communication from Writing Commons. The Worldwide Cellphone Etiquette Infographic (above on the right) demonstrates all the intercultural considerations that can go into something as simple as a business phone call.
        You can also read “Appreciating Different Cultures” from Wikibooks.
      4. Check any of the textbooks on the syllabus for information on the specific kinds of writing you will include in your table. The textbooks can especially help with describing the characteristics of kinds of writing.
    3. By 11:59PM, submit your 12/29 Labor Log in Canvas. Your log should cover all the work you have done for the course this week. The grace period for your log entry ends at 11:59 PM tomorrow (12/30).
  3. Compose your Analysis project in Microsoft Word. Google Docs and Excel will not allow you to format the contents within the table cells easily. Your research for this project can include looking at business writing and/or technical writing textbooks, thinking about things you have written during internships and other related jobs, and interviewing people in the field or professors who can tell you about writing in your field.
  4. Record the work you do during this long weekend in your Labor Log. I will only grade the work that you recorded through today (Friday) You’ll have another entry due next Friday, and of course, you will use the information you are tracking when you write your final exam.

 

Note: Today’s infographic needs a text-based transcript. See the Optional Accessibility Transcript Activity for more details.

 


 
Last updated on Friday, December 29, 2017

Professional Bio Submission

Professional Bio Submission published on

This is the post for December 28, 2017.

Notes for Today

  • Let’s Go, Hokies! I plan to be distracted by the football game this evening. If you email or post in the Facebook Group during the game, I will probably respond after the game. Please don’t worry if you don’t receive an immediate response.
  • Like button on course website comments. I’ve added a plugin that places a Like button on each comment you make on this site. I think it’s a little small, and I would like to remove some of the extra space it has added to the comments. When I have time, I’ll try editing the plugin; so don’t worry if you notice the appearance changing. It will still work the same way.
  • Likes mean I read your post. If I like your comment here or your post in the Facebook Group, I have read what you wrote. I reply occasionally, but I try to let the class drive the conversation.

Readings for Today

Tasks for Today

  1. Complete the tasks and readings included in the Professional Bio Submission Module in Canvas:
    1. Learn how to improve the appearance of your documents, by reading the #Infographic, #Fact, and #Watch posts for today. Strengthen the first impression of your Professional Bio by applying these ideas before you turn in your project.
    2. Submit your Professional Bio in Canvas by 11:59PM. If you are taking advantage of the grace period, submit your bio by 11:59PM on Friday, 12/29.
  2. Record the work you have done for the day in your Labor Log.
  3. (Optional) If you are working toward a grade higher than a B, you can add resources or advice that relate to abcdef in the Facebook Group and/or comment on the extra posts (#Infographic, #Fact, and #Watch).
  4. If you want to get ahead, you can read the assignment for the Analysis of Writing in Your Field assignment, which we will begin tomorrow.

 

Note: The infographic in today’s post needs a text-based transcript. See the Optional Accessibility Transcript Activity for more details. Infographic claimed by TC on 12/28.


 
Last updated on Thursday, December 28, 2017

Professional Bio Overview & Peer Review

Professional Bio Overview & Peer Review published on

This is the post for December 27, 2017.

Notes for Today

  • Assignments all loaded in Canvas. I’ve published the five major projects, final exam, labor logs, and group peer review sessions are in Canvas. If you are a planner who likes to map out due dates, you can now find the schedule in Canvas.
  • Writing Groups are set up. Everyone has been randomly assigned to a writing group in Canvas.
  • Error in the image on the right. The image urges you to keep up with the class on Slack; however, we are not using Slack this term. I just noticed the error. Since the rest of the information is pertinent, I decided to leave it on the post.
  • Modules in the works. I plan to have all the Modules for the term set up by the end of the week (sooner if possible). I’ve never used Modules in Canvas before, but I’ve done some research and I think that they may make it easier to follow the work that you need to do in the course. If they aren’t working or you have any suggestions for improving the setup, let me know by posting in the Facebook Group (so others can chime in).

Readings for Today

Tasks for Today

Complete the tasks and readings included in the 2017-12-27: Professional Bio Overview & Peer Review Module in Canvas:

  1. Read the Online Discussion Guidelines.
  2. Collaborate to set ground rules for your writing group. The primary work of your writing group is explained in the Writing Groups Overview. To help make your work together go smoothly, your group should make a set of guidelines, or ground rules, for how you will collaborate.
  3. Draft your Professional Bio Statement assignment. Use the tips in the #Tutorial: Taking a Professional Photo to take or choose an appropriate image.
  4. Complete peer review in the Group Feedback on Professional Bios Discussion in Canvas:
    1. Share your draft with your writing group.
    2. Give feedback to the members of your writing group, following the suggestions in the #Watch: Peer Review Commenting Strategies post.
    3. Use the feedback from your group members to revise your Professional Bio (which is due Thursday, 12/28).
  5. Record the work you have done for the day in your Labor Log. You will submit your Log on Friday, 12/29, so be sure that you stay on top of your entries.
  6. (Optional) If you are working toward a grade higher than a B, you can add resources or advice that relate to professional bios in the Facebook Group and/or comment on the two extra posts (#Tutorial: Taking a Professional Photo and #Watch: Peer Review Commenting Strategies).

 

Image Credit: How to Succeed in This Online Class by Traci Gardner.

 


 
Last updated on Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Online Discussion Guidelines

Online Discussion Guidelines published on

As outlined on the syllabus, all work and participation in these courses are governed by the Virginia Tech Principles of Community. You surely read the Principles of Community when you first came to Virginia Tech, but you may not have returned to them for a careful reading since then. Today, I will share how the Principles of Community apply in the course.

To get started, we need to review the Principles. You can read the Principles online or watch the video below (click the CC button if you want to see the subtitles):

These Principles relate particularly to how we, as Hokies, interact with, treat, and think about other people. They are especially pertinent then when you work with your Writing Groups and when you enter into conversations in Discussions, on Slack, on Facebook, and in website comments.

We can narrow the ideas down to some simple guidelines for our interaction in the courses:

  • Respect everyone. Listen to what others have to say.
  • Allow everyone to state their ideas freely and openly.
  • Support diverse ideas and the diversity of those in the courses.
  • Commit to following these guidelines in order to support our classroom community.

To sum it up, remember that everyone is welcome, and be nice and supportive to one another. That’s it. If you have any questions about the Principles and how they apply to the course, you can leave a comment below and we’ll work out an answer.

 

Note: This video has closed captioning, so it does not need a transcript.


 
Last updated on Tuesday, December 26, 2017

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