There have been a couple of students with disabilities take this class. The DeAnza Special Ed folks have been very helpful.
For one assignment, Ralph who is deaf, posted a video of someone telling a really funny joke in sign language. Ralph thought this was great - no one else in the class got it. Now we all know how he feels, at least a little. Thanks, Ralph, that was a good joke on us.
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Monday, October 26, 2009
5. Crime
This week we will be looking at Crime - always a popular topic. There are many new ways to commit crimes, and to detect and prevent crime, as well.
Thanks for your feedback from last week's I think assignment.
Study notes
The study notes are intended to be a "summary" with key ideas in question format. The study questions include the important ideas for the chapter. Try reading the notes before you read the chapter in the textbook.
Unfortunately, the "best" way to address the needs of all students is by providing detailed instructions. This way, the information is there whenever you need it. It is consistent, even if it is long. Learning to learn in an online environment is hard.
Copyright
Copyright law is complex and really difficult to enforce. This is a good introduction, but any more depth is beyond the scope of this course.
There seems to be some confusion about "open" software (which may be free but that is not the same thing). There are very specific types of copyright for open, sharable, reuseable work.
http://creativecommons.org/
There were a lot of specific questions. There are many resources that address these concerns. For example, if you want to know about the legal issues associated with uploading concert video to YouTube, consult the YouTube web site. There is a lot of information there if you are interested.
Pictures may be copyright as well. There are lots of sites that offer pictures that you are permitted to copy.
http://www.wikieducator.org/Images#Image_libraries_and_repositories
It is important that everyone understand how copyright infringement has long-term wide-spread consequences.
.
Thanks for your feedback from last week's I think assignment.
Study notes
The study notes are intended to be a "summary" with key ideas in question format. The study questions include the important ideas for the chapter. Try reading the notes before you read the chapter in the textbook.
Unfortunately, the "best" way to address the needs of all students is by providing detailed instructions. This way, the information is there whenever you need it. It is consistent, even if it is long. Learning to learn in an online environment is hard.
Copyright
Copyright law is complex and really difficult to enforce. This is a good introduction, but any more depth is beyond the scope of this course.
There seems to be some confusion about "open" software (which may be free but that is not the same thing). There are very specific types of copyright for open, sharable, reuseable work.
http://creativecommons.org/
There were a lot of specific questions. There are many resources that address these concerns. For example, if you want to know about the legal issues associated with uploading concert video to YouTube, consult the YouTube web site. There is a lot of information there if you are interested.
Pictures may be copyright as well. There are lots of sites that offer pictures that you are permitted to copy.
http://www.wikieducator.org/Images#Image_libraries_and_repositories
It is important that everyone understand how copyright infringement has long-term wide-spread consequences.
.
3. Freedom of speech
This week, we are talking about freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech takes on important new meaning in cyberspace. While it is possible for repressive regimes to control print and broadcast media, it is much more difficult to control online publication. This is especially true when the source of the information is outside the jurisdiction of those endeavoring to control speech.
We will be looking at HAVING freedom of speech and NOT having freedom of speech.
Remember, discussion participation is an important part of this course. Please ensure that you contribute to the discussions.
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Freedom of speech takes on important new meaning in cyberspace. While it is possible for repressive regimes to control print and broadcast media, it is much more difficult to control online publication. This is especially true when the source of the information is outside the jurisdiction of those endeavoring to control speech.
We will be looking at HAVING freedom of speech and NOT having freedom of speech.
Remember, discussion participation is an important part of this course. Please ensure that you contribute to the discussions.
.
6. Work
Computers and technology are having a significant impact on work and the workplace. Thousands of people are working in jobs that did not exist ten years ago. Other jobs have changed dramatically.
The workplace has changed as well. Some jobs have moved to other countries - programming and call center support, without customers being aware of the shift in many cases. Some of these changes are for the better, some not.
MidTerm - we are at the half-way point for the semester. Be sure to check your grades - click the Grades link in the left navigation menu on the main CIS2 page. If you have questions, please let me know.
You should be working on your community service learning project this week, as well. The proposal and summary assignments are the link between your community service learning and the course. This is the MidTerm for this course. You must complete the 12 hours of community service learning in order to get credit for the MidTerm.
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The workplace has changed as well. Some jobs have moved to other countries - programming and call center support, without customers being aware of the shift in many cases. Some of these changes are for the better, some not.
MidTerm - we are at the half-way point for the semester. Be sure to check your grades - click the Grades link in the left navigation menu on the main CIS2 page. If you have questions, please let me know.
You should be working on your community service learning project this week, as well. The proposal and summary assignments are the link between your community service learning and the course. This is the MidTerm for this course. You must complete the 12 hours of community service learning in order to get credit for the MidTerm.
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course format and credit
The whole point of Distance learning classes is to receive the same credit as on-campus classes.
There was some discussion that distance learning should be less demanding because students are too busy to come to campus. Sorry - it doesn't work like that.
If you want the credit, you have to spend the time and do the work. Distance learning allows more flexibility about when and where you do the work.
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There was some discussion that distance learning should be less demanding because students are too busy to come to campus. Sorry - it doesn't work like that.
If you want the credit, you have to spend the time and do the work. Distance learning allows more flexibility about when and where you do the work.
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Monday, October 19, 2009
dealing with crazy schedules
I know that startup jobs are pretty crazy. There is some flexibility in a distance learning class to accommodate your needs, but you still need to participate regularly.
Do the current work first - discussions, assignments - everything that is due this week. The discussions are most interesting to you and others in the class during the week.
Then do all the past due assignments and quizzes.
Participating in discussions is an important part of the class. However, there isn't much point in the past due discussions - everyone else has moved on. Nobody will see your posts or respond. This only happens in the current week.
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Do the current work first - discussions, assignments - everything that is due this week. The discussions are most interesting to you and others in the class during the week.
Then do all the past due assignments and quizzes.
Participating in discussions is an important part of the class. However, there isn't much point in the past due discussions - everyone else has moved on. Nobody will see your posts or respond. This only happens in the current week.
.
catching up
You need to do all the activities described in the Assignment each week. The specific requirements for posting in each topic are stated in the instructions. These will vary - there is no set rule. However the instructions are very specific.
Remember, as there are no class meetings, the course work is set up to cover the same work that you would get in 4 hours of lectures plus textbook reading, assignments, discussions and preparations quizzes each week. Yes that is a lot of work.
However, the assignments are listed and can be completed in any order to provide the flexibility distance learning students need. The instructions are specific and should contain most, if not all the information to complete each activity.
If you have any questions, please ask. Asking in the Questions forum is good - then everyone in the class finds out what the answer is. If you would prefer to send a message or an email to me with your questions, please do.
Learning to learn online is not easy. However, distance learning does provide flexibility and some other options that are not available in an on-campus class.
.
Remember, as there are no class meetings, the course work is set up to cover the same work that you would get in 4 hours of lectures plus textbook reading, assignments, discussions and preparations quizzes each week. Yes that is a lot of work.
However, the assignments are listed and can be completed in any order to provide the flexibility distance learning students need. The instructions are specific and should contain most, if not all the information to complete each activity.
If you have any questions, please ask. Asking in the Questions forum is good - then everyone in the class finds out what the answer is. If you would prefer to send a message or an email to me with your questions, please do.
Learning to learn online is not easy. However, distance learning does provide flexibility and some other options that are not available in an on-campus class.
.
Community Service Learning - update
There was some confusion about the Community Service Learning assignment but thanks to all the questions, most of you are starting do work for the community partner organizations.
Not sure where to find the details? Look in Module 3 for the Community Service Learning discussion forum. There is a discussion topic for each community partner project. These are not group projects, but there are several students in the class working on each community project.
Yes, the proposal was due in week 3. However, there was some confusion, so there will be no late deduction.
If you have questions about the community service learning assignment, please ask.
.
Not sure where to find the details? Look in Module 3 for the Community Service Learning discussion forum. There is a discussion topic for each community partner project. These are not group projects, but there are several students in the class working on each community project.
Yes, the proposal was due in week 3. However, there was some confusion, so there will be no late deduction.
If you have questions about the community service learning assignment, please ask.
.
copyright
Copyright law is complex and really difficult to enforce. This is a good introduction, but any more depth is beyond the scope of this course.
There seems to be some confusion about "open" software (which may be free but that is not the same thing). There are very specific types of copyright for open, sharable, reuseable work.
Creative Commons http://creativecommons.org/
There were a lot of specific questions. There are many resources that address these concerns. For example, if you want to know about the legal issues associated with uploading concert video to YouTube, consult the YouTube web site. There is a lot of information there if you are interested.
Pictures may be copyright as well. There are lots of sites that offer pictures that you are permitted to copy.
WikiEducator Image Hub
http://www.wikieducator.org/Images#Image_libraries_and_repositories
It is important that everyone understand how copyright infringement has long-term wide-spread consequences.
.
There seems to be some confusion about "open" software (which may be free but that is not the same thing). There are very specific types of copyright for open, sharable, reuseable work.
Creative Commons http://creativecommons.org/
There were a lot of specific questions. There are many resources that address these concerns. For example, if you want to know about the legal issues associated with uploading concert video to YouTube, consult the YouTube web site. There is a lot of information there if you are interested.
Pictures may be copyright as well. There are lots of sites that offer pictures that you are permitted to copy.
WikiEducator Image Hub
http://www.wikieducator.org/Images#Image_libraries_and_repositories
It is important that everyone understand how copyright infringement has long-term wide-spread consequences.
.
sample books
Tar Heel Reader http://tarheelreader.org/
This is a very ambitious list of books. I'm sure they will be greatly appreciated.
Did you check to see if there are any books on these subjects already in the Tar Heel Reader collection?
I suggest that you do one or two complete books first. That way you see the whole process start to finish.
A couple of things to watch out for when you do your sample books:
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This is a very ambitious list of books. I'm sure they will be greatly appreciated.
Did you check to see if there are any books on these subjects already in the Tar Heel Reader collection?
I suggest that you do one or two complete books first. That way you see the whole process start to finish.
A couple of things to watch out for when you do your sample books:
- words per page - there isn't room for many words before they fall off the page.
- finding pictures to match words - allow some flexibility on pictures. It can be really time consuming to find a specific picture that you need to accompany pre-written text.
- start with pictures - it may be easier to find a series of pictures on a theme, then write or arrange the text to go with the pictures.
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Friday, October 9, 2009
written assignments
Q: For writing assignments, how long should it be? Please help me to understand what I should do.
A: Most of the written submitted assignments should be a couple of
paragraphs - long enough to demonstrate good writing and thoughtful
ideas and comments.
The projects require additional work, but requirements are described
in detail for each.
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A: Most of the written submitted assignments should be a couple of
paragraphs - long enough to demonstrate good writing and thoughtful
ideas and comments.
The projects require additional work, but requirements are described
in detail for each.
.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
discussion grading
I posted this in the Introductions forum, but here it is again...
Your discussion grade is the sum of the points you receive for your participation in all the topics within the week's discussion forum.
There is a maximum total for the discussion forum each week. There are multiple topics each week. In some cases your total of the topic ratings may be greater than the discussion total. Your grade will be the discussion maximum.
For example - if there are 4 topics in the forum and the total for the forum is 10, the topic maximum may be 2,3 or 4 depending on the amount of work. If you contribute to all the topics you might have 3/10, 2/10, 4/10, and 3/10 but your total for the forum will be 10/10.
If you have any other questions about discussion participation and grading, please ask.
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Your discussion grade is the sum of the points you receive for your participation in all the topics within the week's discussion forum.
There is a maximum total for the discussion forum each week. There are multiple topics each week. In some cases your total of the topic ratings may be greater than the discussion total. Your grade will be the discussion maximum.
For example - if there are 4 topics in the forum and the total for the forum is 10, the topic maximum may be 2,3 or 4 depending on the amount of work. If you contribute to all the topics you might have 3/10, 2/10, 4/10, and 3/10 but your total for the forum will be 10/10.
If you have any other questions about discussion participation and grading, please ask.
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