Each week, you will be responsible for posting to the blog. The blog is where you will show your homework and reflect on your papers. You will be required to interact with your peers and to remain courteous at all times.
Blogs are graded as follows:
1. Participation: blogs are posted on time - 2 points
2. Following directions: while you may contribute additional comments or links, your primary goal in posting should be to satisfy the assignment requirements. - 2 points
3. You must reply to your classmates on time - 2 points, and follow directions in your reply - 2 points
4. Remaining respectful of your classmates - 2 points
Each blog will be different. You will receive feedback from the instructor, but the primary purpose of the blogs is to receive feedback from your community of students. Ask questions of each other, and be thoughtful in your responses.
Please click on the Follow link to the right, or bookmark this page in your computer.
For this week's blog….
Directions: write a 300 word explanation of your main goal for the semester, and then explain the objectives you will follow in order to reach that goal. Refer to the assignment sheet. (Due August 29 by 5pm).
Reminders:
- See D2L Newsfeed, under "Welcome!" for the Blogger sign-in process.
- You must be signed in to Google under a gmail account in order to post.
- Your blogging name must reflect your real name in order for you to receive credit (or you must sign your posts with your real name).
- Write your blog response in some kind of word processing document and then copy and paste it into the posting form for submission (Blogger is fallible and can lose assignments, but cannot be blamed for lost assignments).
- Spell-check, read-aloud, and edit your posts before submitting.
- No swearing. While the forum is meant to encourage freedom of speech, a certain amount of professionalism is expected.
During this class I hope to pass as well as have an enjoyable and impactful learning experience. If I am able to learn actively about the content in this class, it will make the class a lot more manageable and enjoyable. Being able to learn actively will help me to better understand the information, and have a more enjoyable semester. Critical thinking and creativity are also very important to my success in this class. Critical thinking and creativity are not only very crucial parts of good writing but also good exercise for the brain. If I am able to follow a good plan as well as focus on the objectives this class will be enjoyable and I will be able to pass.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEnglish and writing has never been a strong subject of mine in school, so I do not know what to expect to get out of this class. However my goal for English 121 would be to get a better understanding of what creative writing and critical thinking is, and how it may help me, become more successful on my journey towards bettering myself and my family. To achieve this goal I will need to, attend all classes; take advantage of both positive and negative feedback from my instructor and peers with a clear and open mind. I believe that the active learning objectives and the communicating with clarity and originality can and will help me reach my goal, because I have been or will be given the material and knowledge to understand and demonstrate critical and creative thinking.
ReplyDeleteThe objectives of active learning will help me reach my goal through reading, analyzing and interpreting the course material and other objectives in more detail from getting feedback through the blogs by my instructor and peers. The objectives that follow communicating with clarity and originality will help me reach my goal by improving my abilities to write essay’s using materials that I have researched.
Although English and writing have never been a strong suit for me I feel that through active learning objectives and communicating with clarity and originality will help strengthen my understanding for creative writing and critical thinking.
Jesse Slifer
My goal for this class is to learn and effectively use section 3 of "The General Course Objectives" contained in the "Course Syllabus" for "English 121-15a, Composition 1", so that I may be able to compose and communicate though written documents effectively which will benefit me throughout my career.
ReplyDeleteI plan to accomplish this through multiple avenues. The first of which is the practice of creating multiple drafts of each paper so as to catch mistakes and average out to a meaningful document. This is listed as the second objective of Section 3 and I feel this will be a crucial tool to help me create strong papers.
Another avenue I will use to communicate with clarity is listed as the fourth objective under section 3 which is to focus on who my audience is and what message I want to convey to them. This will be common day practice in any career I choose and will allow me to communicate solutions to problems I come across in my work place.
Another useful objective under section 3 is the research process I will use to create more knowledgeable works. This is listed last under the objectives but is probably the most important and should be listed first as it creates the back bone of the document.
By the end of this semester, with proper use of these goals, I should be able to compose competent "College-Level Essays", which just happens to be objective 3 under section 3.
Amateur Blogger,
Gunner Reid
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first year at PPCC and my main goal this semester is to earn a "B" grade or better. In order to achieve this grade I will participate actively and positively within the classroom. I will commit to classroom discussions and arguments to give and receive accurate feedback in the classroom environment. I am excited to work with other people to benefit all writing skills and abilities. The knowledge I receive from group work and class discussion will excel my writing and critical thinking abilities. Thus, increasing my grades on papers throughout the semester. Along within class participation I will use time management skills in order to get homework done in a organized and timely fashion. Along side time management I plan on attending every class in order to gain full knowledge of course material for I do not end up behind. It is crucial that I stay up-to-date with class and homework in order to accomplish my goal. If I miss any class it could affect my chances to achieve my goal. If I stay on top of class work and participate actively in class I should achieve my goal without a problem.
ReplyDeleteMy primary goal for this class is to fully engage myself in this learning experience, this is something that I haven’t don’t in quite some time and this subject was never something that came easy to me. Sometimes the thought of expressing thoughts into words seems a bit uncomfortable, so I am looking forward to bettering my writing skills and getting more comfortable doing so. I know that in order to be successful I will have to be fully committed to class and open to criticism. I will also gain knowledge by learning actively, by doing this I will have a better comprehension of things that I am learning daily in my personal or professional life. Leaning actively will also help me to be more engaged in my studies because I feel I will learn to be a more inquisitive person. Thinking critically and creatively are also areas I feel I will gain much from because it allows you to open your mind and expand your thought process. I am excited to be better at doing that and excited for this new experience. I look forward to challenging myself and am committed to course objectives for the class. I know that if I stick to it and keep my mind open to learning, focusing on my own goals, this will be information that will help me in the future and my career goals.
ReplyDeleteFor this English class, my goal is to learn how to make my papers A’s, quickly and properly. In my English class last year, I passed with a B, because I didn’t quite have down the skills needed to achieve an A paper. However, this semester my goal is to learn those skills and writing styles to help me achieve an A. Some of those skills and styles I will have to master still are the draft papers, fragments, and editing styles. Addition, to getting an A, one of my other goals is to be able to expand my vocabulary. The reason my vocabulary is so low now and why I need to expand it is because my past teachers didn’t focus on vocabulary very much. In order to complete these goals, I will have to dedicate myself to this class. Which might include studding until I have completed the assignments and have fully understood them to the best of ability? This might even mean I have to go over the required 4 hours. Also, putting as much effort into this class as needed, even on the days when I might want to just give up. By the end of this semester I wish to have a paper you would expect from a straight-A-student who studies twenty four-seven.
ReplyDeleteAngela Olsen
My goal for this class is to get a better understanding and feel for writing. I have always admired writers and the ability to do what they do. It’s a talent, and it seems a hard one to learn (for me anyway). As I read the objectives in the syllabus I couldn’t help but get excited to see what we’d be going over. When I read further into the details of each one I began to realize this isn't going to be an easy task. Does something have to be “easy” to be fun or exciting? No. My summary after reading the syllabus was that I needed to set my own objectives for this class, and luckily that’s my first assignment.
ReplyDeleteLearning actively is probably one of, if not the best way to learn, in my opinion. Although I am not a “super” outgoing person, I really enjoyed the exercise we did on our first day of class. This doesn’t have to be just an in class activity though. Like many things, we can apply this in our everyday life. Getting to know someone and their opinions can help shape your own. We all have our own unique ideas about anything and everything. During the period of this course I intend not to be “selfish” in my writing, but to talk to others and use their insight to inspire whatever subject I am currently writing about.
Course objective number two is “Thinking Critically and Creatively.” This also is a very important element to my goal for this class. Anyone can sit down and write. But if you don’t balance the “fun” with “logical reasoning and sufficient evidence,” then it won’t be of any effect. I plan to do my best to “analyze my audience and purpose” to maintain both a creative and logical writing skill.
These are just some of my goals. I am sure that as this class moves along I will create new goals for myself to ensure I am doing the best I can.
One of my biggest academic weaknesses is writing. I have never been a good writer. I am actually glad that I have to take Eng 121. I do not know what to expect but I know it will take alot of hard work on my part. I hope that in the amount of time we have in this class that I can really learn the skills to make me a better writer. I do have have basic knowledge of writing a story,paper. Reading the syllabus I can see how detailed this class will be. I hope by the end of this class I will be more confident in my work and understand fully how to write a paper properly.
ReplyDeleteMy objective in this English composition course, simply enough, is to pass. With my current knowledge I do not expect to do so in flying colors, nor do I think that any of this class will come easily to me. It seems like forever since I have been in a classroom setting. However, with the tools and resources that I have discovered are available to me, achieving that goal seems much more obtainable. Many of the new technologies available such as blogging or the D2L web-site are foreign to me. Although I’m familiar with the hard-ware itself, I was unaware of their utilization and implications in the classroom. Places like the writing center or the LAC were unknown to me also, and I look forward to using their services in creation of my essays from rough draft to final copy. I also hope to learn how to prepare a paper in an acceptable format that inter-locks both my ideas and the compositions of others. Alongside, I wish to develop my knowledge of the “surface features” within a “college-level essay.” For example; what is syntax? Although my goal may be simple or lacking vision, being in a classroom in the first place is “shooting for the moon” to me.
ReplyDeleteSome of my primary goals for; English 121-15A, Composition are as follows: “Utilize college resources: Writing Center, Library, Oasis, tutors.” “Reflect upon choices in writing processes and products.” “Use technology to gather, process and communicate information.” “Document sources appropriately.”
ReplyDeleteHaving not written either personally or professionally for quite some time has left my writing skills less than sharp. It is my personal goal to utilize the resources afforded by Pikes Peak Community College and the instruction of this class to hone those skills and build upon my current foundation of knowledge.
I have previously utilized the college learning resources with mixed results; I do believe however that these resources are truly a viable source for help and assistance when a person is at wits end and needs an objective opinion and the collaboration of another mind to resolve what otherwise seems unsolvable.
Being retired military, I’m use to writing in a certain context and manner acceptable to military subordinates and leaders. Personally I try very hard to stay away from that style of writing and believe I will benefit immensely from other writing processes and product choices. Thru the instruction of this course, I hope to improve my writing style and process.
Strengthening my use of technology to communicate and process information. Prior to the summer semester I had a limited knowledge of this digital process used by the college to submit homework and communicate information to the students. Through the constant requirement to use this technology for academic achievement will hopefully strength this skill.
Documenting writing sources in the military was relatively easy; it was just listing what manual, page, and paragraph your sources were taken from. Learning to properly document a cited source appropriately will indeed help in my writing skills and I believe make my own writing even stronger.
My name is Tanisha Sears and I set very high goals for myself. Do I always reach those goals? Sometimes I do, when I try my hardest. I am going to set my goals for this class very high and I intend to reach my goal for this class. My goal is to complete this class with an A, with that being said I will settle for a B. Why would I settle for a B and not hit that A? I have to be realistic, I am a wife, a mother, and now a full time student. Now how do I exactly go about reaching my goal? First I am going to utilize the Writing Center, Library, and a tutor, let’s face it I haven’t been to school in some years and I know my ability to retain and comprehend. I will also reach my goal with good effective positive feedback. I have a very vivid imagination and that will also help me be creative and so I will use my worldly knowledge to get me through. I can and will communicate with clarity and I am always open to my own personal growth. To achieve my goal for this English class I fully plan to participate and be in attendance, and I will use the resources around school to help me achieve my goal of an A or B.
ReplyDeleteIn order for me to be successful in the goals that I have set, I must be able to communicate in a manner that others will relate with and respect. This course will provide me with those skills. I will learn these skills while interacting with my peers, my instructor and by utilizing the resources available to me. I am quickly learning that it is a whole new world out there from when I was last in school 20 years ago. One where I will be shown materials and technology that I have been sheltered from. Managing through that will be a challenge on its own; blogging, posting bios, steering through websites and applications where I am completely unfamiliar. I will learn to think critically and analyze my ideas and those around me to gain further knowledge into this world. Combining all of these aspects will open doors for me. I do not want to change my values and beliefs, but perhaps broaden my thoughts and see different viewpoints from my own more clearly. To communicate clearly, I must be able to present my information in a way that others will relate to and can comment and expand upon. The goals that I have for myself will require me to collaborate all different ideas and values for me to serve my purpose. I can see my future, I can feel it; but this course will follow my communication of that to be understood, reflected on and expanded through a variety of methods. Proper written expression, oral communication, and visual presentation (amongst other forms) will only expand my horizons.
ReplyDeleteMy primary goal for this class is to be successful in the class while improving my writing skills. Last year, I took Senior Composition and I honestly loved it. The class was very challenging but I realized just how passionate I was about expressing myself through my writing. In order to achieve these goals, I shall attend class and ask as many questions as necessary, even the questions some individuals wouldn't be comfortable asking. I feel asking even the "dumb" questions will help me learn something new. I also know that asking questions and taking notes will help me to understand and comprehend what the instructor is trying to teach us. Another objective of mine would be to highlight, highlight, highlight. In high school, writing in the textbooks and highlighting was a so-called "no-no" but in college I feel it is very useful in cutting out all the unnecessary information so someone can focus on what's really important. The final objective I feel shall be helpful in accomplishing my goal for this class is attending class as scheduled and completing all assignments. Time-management will play a major role in my life and in accomplishing these goals due to my obligations in school as well as work and home. Having school at least six hours a day, four days a week as well as work eight hours a day, five days a week doesn't necessarily leave much time for homework as well as sleep. I do believe that the objectives listed above will give me a major push towards accomplishing my goal of being successful in the class and improving my writing skills. In conclusion, these objectives as well as some determination are what is needed to reach my goals.
ReplyDeleteMy objective for the semester is to be an honor student. Also to become a better writer and to really grow as a person and to understand what is being shown to me. To at least get a B in this class is what I would love to do. I honestly can see it happing. You seem like a very cool and understanding teacher who wants to teach and to make us all better writers and students. I do like English quite a bit I have always liked to speak or to write. It’s a way if expression and helps us all learn. The way I plan to get the goal of being an honor student and to at least get a B is to be in every class or to at least do my best to be in every class. Life happens but that is still no reason to not get good grades. The class its self might be difficult but so far it is not. I have noticed that if you really listen and follow what is told and shown to you, you can get the good grade that you want. I am also excited to learn more ways of writing and to learn how to broaden my English vocabulary and to show that I am a well-rounded user of the English language. This class so far has been showing me that it is ok to like English and to be in the class with a lot of others who want to learn. With everything that looks like a lot of hard work in this class its not going to be hard. That’s very cool to me because I want to learn and to be tested on what I need to learn to become a better writer and an honor student.
ReplyDeleteI am extremely excited about my first term in college although this English Composition class can be a little intimidating. I love writing but it has been a considerable amount of time since the last time I’ve written anything more than a Facebook status update. Given the tough disposition of the class, I still look forward to the challenges that await me this term. My primary goal for this class is to enhance my written communication skills so I may excel through the rest of my college career by becoming an active learner, thinking critically on all my assignments, and communicating clearly and originally.
ReplyDeleteNow that I am in college I realize that to create the results I hope for, there will need to be a tremendous amount of diligence and active learning. I plan on reaching this academic intensity by staying ‘plugged in’ with the rest of the class and instructor. I know this will increase the quality of my work and spike creativity. I also will expand my variety of literature and study materials to broaden my range of thoughts and ideas. If I keep this level of activity in my studies I know my communication quality will increase.
I will spend more time contemplating and thinking critically of my responses and papers before I actually write them. I plan on challenging myself to perform at a higher level and explore my abilities as a writer. I know in the past I was comfortable with only being grammatically and structurally correct. I want to take myself out of that comfort zone this semester and I will do that by being critical of everything.
Lastly, I will make sure my work is clear and original to my readers. I want to think of the audience I am trying to reach and how I can make myself more understandable and refine the precision of my argument or point of view. I will also strive to insure the grammatical soundness of my work. I will read over my work several times and make peer review a routine step in my process. I want to bridge the gap between passable high school work and clear, confident, college level papers.
I am beyond confident that if I stick to this academic study plan that the level of experience and satisfaction I receive from this class will be without measure. I will actively seek my education, become a critical thinker, and refine my skills to create clearer and original pieces of work this term. I am putting my all in because I know that the benefits I receive from the effort put forth in this class will overflow into all aspects of my college career.