by on 2016-05-13

Course Grades Posted

Smiling dog meme, with the caption, I am so proud of youI have finished grading all the work for the course and submitted course grades in HokieSpa. As a reminder, I use a Virginia Tech’s default grade scale (no rounding). Thank you so much for your work this term. Have a great summer.

Unsubscribing from the Course Website and Twitter Updates

If you subscribed to the course website at the beginning of the term, you probably want to unsubscribe now. Look for an unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email message that you get from the course website.

If you were following the course Twitter account (@VTtengrrl), just go to the page in Twitter and click the Unfollow button.


 
Last updated on 13th May, 2016, 7:32 AM
Filed Under: Announcement
by on 2016-05-04

Submitting Project 4

This is the post for the Wednesday,May 4, 2016 class meeting, our last day of class 🙁

Examples of Student WorkDog with goofy grin, with the caption, Happy Last Day of Classes!!!!!!

And if we have time, I will make you watch the Doctor Who Time Warp Parody.

Submit Your Project

Submit Project 4 by following these instructions:

  1. Go to the Project 4 Quiz in Canvas. While we are using the Quiz tool, your work is still a major project in the course.
  2. Work through the questions to ensure you include all of the required elements on the rubric (which you will find on the Project 4 Quiz page in Canvas).
  3. Submit the project when you are done.

If you need more time to work on your project, use the Grace Period, which ends at 5:25 PM on Wednesday, May 11. If you turn in your work, I assume it is ready to be graded. Remember that there are no rewrites or revisions after work is graded.

Complete a Survey for Extra Credit

After I explain some changes to the course in the future, please complete this Exit Survey to help me make decisions about the class in the fall. Your answers will not effect your grade in the course, beyond the verification that you completed the survey.

After you finish the survey, complete the Exit Survey Extra Credit Quiz in Canvas. The extra credit quiz will replace your lowest grade on a participation assignment with 100.

Remaining To-Do’s

  1. Complete the SPOT survey if you haven’t yet.

  2. Watch your email for an announcements next week that tells you when the course grades are finalized.

  3. Remember that  I do not round grades and that I do not provide extra credit. The grade scale is on the syllabus.


 
Last updated on 4th May, 2016, 11:05 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: ,
by on 2016-04-25

Peer Review and Conferences

This is the post for the Monday, April 25 through Monday, May 2, 2016 class meetings.

Due Dates for the Rest of the Term

  • Tu, 4/26: Post your rough cut/draft or prototype by 11:59 PM for peer review (no grace period)
  • We, 4/27: Give peer review feedback to two classmates by 11:59 PM (no grace period)
  • Fr, 4/29: Submit a revision plan for your project by 11:59 PM
    (grace period ends at 11:59 PM Su, 5/1)
  • Mo, 5/2: Continue work on your project, following your revision plan.
  • We, 5/4: Last day of class. Come to class for submission instructions, exit survey, and other final comments.
  • We, 5/11: Project 4 grace period ends at 5:25 PM.

Individual Conferences

See the complete details in Friday’s post. We will have conferences 4/27, 4/29, and 5/2 (WFM). Classes will not meet to allow time for everyone. Conferences are not mandatory. Sign up in the Scheduler tool in the Calendar (Canvas Documentation). Sign up is first-come, first-served. You may sign up for more than one.

Peer Review Submission on Tuesday, 4/26

Cat with the caption, If you don't like my changes I can always edit your facePost your link in the Peer Review for Project 4 Discussion in Canvas (Canvas Documentation) for peer feedback by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, April 26 (no grace period).

Follow the directions in Canvas. Submit whatever you have. You can add details in your post on any significant work you still need to do.

Providing Peer Review Feedback on Wednesday, 4/27

At 12:03 AM Wednesday, Canvas will automatically assign you two classmates, whom you will provide with peer feedback. Respond to the two drafts you have been assigned for Peer Feedback, following the instructions in the Peer Review for Project 4 Discussion in Canvas by 11:59 on 4/27 (no grace period).

Writing Your Revision Plan on Friday, 4/29

Write your revision plan, using a word processor, following the instructions on the Revision Plan page. Find the information on revision plans on pp. 116–118 of Writer/Designer. Write and submit your revision plan for Project 4 by 11:59 PM on Friday, 4/29. The grace period ends 11:59 PM Sunday, 5/1.

Keep Working on Monday, 5/2

Continue work on your project, following your revision plan. If any questions come up, email me. Ideally, you will have your project nearly complete by the end of Monday. You should be ready to turn in your project on Wednesday, 5/4. If you use the grace period, you have until 5:25 PM on Wednesday, 5/11.


 
Last updated on 25th April, 2016, 1:24 PM
Filed Under: Class Notes
by on 2016-04-22

Rough Cuts and Prototypes

This is the post for the Wednesday, April 20, 2016 class meeting.

Angry, bitey wolf with the caption, It's gonna be rough"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" as a Comic

Here’s a marvelous version of T. S. Eliot’s "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" in comic form by Julian Peters. On the site, you will find a few other literary comics.

Project 4 Rubric

Use the rubric for Project 4 to make sure that you meet all of the requirements for the assignment.

Rough Cuts, Rough Drafts, and Revision Plans

  • A rough cut (for timeline-based projects) or prototype (for static projects) is usually rougher, or less finished, than a rough draft.

  • The “Planning Your Rough Cut” section of Chapter 7 (pp. 107–109) includes lists of the basic decisions you should make by the time you have a rough cut.

  • You will use the following information next week:

    • Tue, 4/26: Explain your rhetorical situation (pp. 111–112) when you submit your work for peer review.
    • Wed, 4/27: Use the questions for providing feedback (pp. 112–115) when you give feedback to your partners.
    • Fri, 4/29: Follow the information on revision plans (pp. 116–118) to plan your remaining work on the project.

Individual Conferences

Wednesday, 4/27, Friday, 4/29, and Monday 5/2, I am giving you time to work independently on your projects. In lieu of class, I will be holding individual conferences. These conferences are not mandatory, but you can benefit from the opportunity to ask me whatever you need to about your project. You will drive the conversation, so have a list of questions or concerns ready for me to answer.

You can sign up for a meeting time in the Scheduler tool in the Calendar (Canvas Documentation). Sign up is first-come, first-served.

There are a few guidelines for the conferences:

  • Sign up 24 hours in advance, so that I know when I need to be in the office.
  • Email me if you can’t make your meeting time.
  • If I step out, I will put a note on the door.
  • If you realize you need a meeting but haven’t signed up, you can try dropping by or emailing.
  • The office hours sign-up form we usually use shows normal office hours as cancelled.

Homework

For Monday, do the following:

  • Continue working on your project. We’ll go over how to submit your work for peer review by 11:59 PM Tuesday, 4/26.
  • Be prepared to work in class. Monday will be an in-class work day, and I will help anyone who needs help.
  • Sign-up for a meeting time if you’d like to talk with me about your project.

For Tuesday, do the following:

  • Submit your work for peer review by 11:59 PM.

 
Last updated on 25th April, 2016, 1:24 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: ,
by on 2016-04-20

Mockups and Storyboards

This is the post for the Wednesday, April 20, 2016 class meeting.

Mockup and Storyboard Examples

cool storyboard, broThese examples show the mockups and storyboards that students created for projects in the past:

  • Harry Potter Timeline (infographic): Harry Potter Timeline and Mockup using Illustrator
  • The Nutcracker Toy Catalog (flipbook/magazine): Remix and Mockup using paper and pen
  • Ethereal Ariel (blog): Remix and Mockup using Frame Box
  • Scooby-Doo in Retirement: Remix and Mockup using Wireframe (I think?)
  • Cat in the Hat Goes College: Remix and Storyboard using PowerPoint

Mockup Tools

Mock-ups are usually used for websites, projects that are “static” (like posters or brochures), and texts that are primarily linguistic or visual in nature. Wireframes (if you’re familiar with the term) fall into this category. Be sure to use the Mock-up guidelines on p. 95 of Writer/Designer to guide your process.

Here are some possible tools:

Storyboard Tools

Storyboarding is usually used for projects that move through a series of pieces, places, or points in time—like a video, comic book, or graphic novel. Be sure to use the storyboard guidelines on p. 97–98 of Writer/Designer to guide your process.

Storyboarding is, essentially, outlining your text visually, so you may be happy with creating a simple outline in Google Docs. For online tools I’ve made, I created storyboards with PowerPoint and Google Slides as well.

If you want to try something specifically created for storyboarding or a comic making, take at look at these resources for creating and organizing storyboards:

Old-Fashioned Tools

Your favorite word processor will work just fine. You don’t need to use fancy tools unless you want to. Microsoft Word or Google Docs tools will give you what you need.

Good, old paper and pencil can work for mock-ups and storyboards. There’s no reason that these planning tools have to be digitally produced.

Backing Up Your Design

Many of the mockup and storyboard tools publish your design on their site. Just in case something goes wrong, I strongly advise you to print your work to a PDF, take a screenshot, or otherwise back up the mockup or storyboard that you create. If you sketch out your mockup or storyboard on paper, take a photo with your phone.

Homework

For Friday, do the following:

  • Read Chapter 7 of Writer/Designer. Pay particular attention to the information on rough cuts. You’ll need a rough cut for peer review by 11:59 PM on Tuesday.
  • Use the Lynda.com resources in Monday’s post for help with your video, if you’re making one.

 
Last updated on 20th April, 2016, 10:47 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: ,
by on 2016-04-18

Project 4 Proposal Peer Review

This is the post for the Monday, April 18, 2016 class meeting.

For Fun

Check out The Captioned Adventures of George Washington. Here’s one on George’s lunch.

Questions?

Liam Neeson with a phone and the caption, Give me a bad peer review and I will find youAny questions about Project 4 assignment? Add them to this Google Doc, and I will answer them when I find them.

Peer Review for Your Proposal

We will complete an informal peer review activity today, following these instructions:

  • Review the rubric and details on the organization, format, and tools from Friday’s post as a class and answer any questions.
  • Arrange the class into partner pairs or groups (same as the Documentation partners/groups).
  • Use the rubric to work through your partner’s work.
  • Provide advice and support verbally. You will not turn in any written work.
  • Do any remaining revisions on your proposal once you have exchanged feedback.

Proposal Submission

Submit your work online by 11:59 PM tonight:

  1. Go to the Project 4 Proposal assignment in Canvas.
  2. Upload your proposal, using these instructions:
    • Google Doc submission
      1. Share your Google Doc so that I can add comments. Here are instructions.
      2. Click the big Submit Assignment button on the upper right.
      3. Click the Website URL tab, and you will see the form below on the page:
        weburl
      4. Paste the link to your Google Doc in the Website URL field.
      5. Skip the reflection comments, unless you want to tell me something about your proposal.
      6. Click the Submit Assignment button, and your work will be uploaded and turned in.
    • Word Doc or PDF submission
      1. Click the big Submit Assignment button on the upper right. You’ll see this File Upload form:
        fileupload2
      2. Click the Choose File button, and navigate to your file. It must be a *.doc, *.docx, or *.pdf file.
      3. Skip the reflection comments, unless you want to tell me something about your proposal.
      4. Click the Submit Assignment button, and your work will be uploaded and turned in.

If you need more time to work on your proposal, use the Grace Period, which ends at 11:59 PM on Monday, 4/25. If you turn in your work, I assume it is ready to be graded. Remember that there are no rewrites or revisions after work is graded.

Homework

For Wednesday and Friday, do the following:


 
Last updated on 18th April, 2016, 4:02 PM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: , ,
by on 2016-04-15

Project 4 Proposals

This is the post for the Friday, April 15, 2016 class meeting.

English Undergraduate Symposium

If you will not be present because you are presenting at the English Undergraduate Symposium (symposium program), email me the details so I can mark the absence as excused.

Questions?

Cat wearing a tie, with the caption, Interesting proposal. Leave it on my desk. I need to sleep on it.Any questions about Project 4 assignment? Add them to this Google Doc and I will answer them at the end of the class.

Working on Your Proposal

Organization
The outline for your proposals is in Writer/Designer, on pp. 90–92. You need to include these parts:

  • Introduction/summary: Explain your focus and how you are approaching it.
  • Project plan: Include the grade you are aiming for and the project components you plan to complete.
  • Justification: Talk about why you chose your character and how the components and approach you have chosen are appropriate. Address any potential copyright restrictions you will have to deal with.
  • Roles and responsibilities: Skip it. Not needed, since you are working alone.
  • Timeline: Use the dates from the assignment for peer review, revision plan, and due date.

For all the parts, be sure that you include the information listed in the textbook.

Format

  • Use memo format, with the headings To, From, Subject, and Date.
  • Use what you know about design to make your headings and information clear.
  • Incorporate graphical elements (e.g., charts, tables) to organize your information meaningfully.
  • Rely on the Ten Design Tips as you work.
  • Provide documentation for any outside assets that you include.

Tools
Use Word or Google Docs. When you are ready to submit your work, save the document as a PDF to ensure that the formatting shows up as you designed it.

Homework

For Monday, do the following before class:

  • Have a draft of your proposal. We’ll do an informal peer review exchange and go over the submission instructions.
  • You will have the usual 1-week grace period.

 
Last updated on 15th April, 2016, 9:46 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: , ,
by on 2016-04-13

Branding Video Characteristics

This is the post for the Wednesday, April 13, 2016 class meeting.

Attendance and Excused Absences

Cat with cell phone and the caption, Put dat camera down and help me take selfieFrom now on, if you have an excused absence, please email me the details rather than just telling me in class. You can tell me too, but I will update Canvas when I get an email with documentation from you, the Dean, or Schiffert.

As a reminder, if you miss class because of an illness, death in the family, or family emergency, see the Student Advocacy page from the Dean of Students Office for details on how to document the situation. You can also provide documentation from Schiffert Health Center, Cook Counseling Center, or your private doctor, dentist, or other health care provider.

Assignment Dates and Weight

No one emailed with complaints, so we will go with the plan I described in Monday’s session:

  • Your proposal for Project 4 is worth 15% of your course grade, replacing the final in the course grade distribution.
  • Your Project 4 is worth 25% of your course grade, as originally planned, but it is due the last week of the class. The grace period ends at the close of the latest exam period for the course.
  • The originally planned final exam (Revision and Maintenance Plan) is gone (and good riddance to it).

Any questions about Project 4 assignment? Add them to this Google Doc and I will answer them at the end of the class.

Branding Video Characteristics

Here are ten additional video examples:

  1. Garrett
  2. Catherine
  3. Nick
  4. Charles
  5. Elise
  6. Zack
  7. Keely
  8. Anna
  9. Charlie
  10. Drew

Let’s get into the same groups we used for the documentation project last week. I’ll assign you a video, and I want you to work together to decide what the video does well and what the author might do to improve it. Add your comments to the slide in the file for your class. Be prepared to explain your thoughts to everyone.

The link for your class will disappear after your session. It will return Wednesday after 2:30 PM.

Another Video Option: Vlogs

Not sure about creating a branding video, but still want to play with video? Another option is to create video blog entries (or vlogs). You might think of them as video podcasts as well. Amelia and Kayleigh, who took the course in the fall, created a YouTube channel for a series of videos that were done from the perspective of Hamlet’s Ophelia and Gertrude. There are four videos plus a blooper trailer.

Homework

For Friday, do the following before class:

  • Complete the Video Survey, so that I know what to cover in class next week.
  • Review the information on proposals in Writer/Designer, on pp. 90–92.
  • Choose a focus and make tentative plans for the project components you will complete.

For Monday, do the following before class:

  • Have a draft of your proposal. We’ll do an informal peer review exchange and go over the submission instructions.
  • You will have the usual 1-week grace period.

 
Last updated on 8th May, 2016, 11:44 PM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: , ,
by on 2016-04-11

Project 4 Overview

This is the post for the Monday, April 11, 2016 class meeting.

Attendance Update

Cat in box with packing peanuts, and the caption, Ikea cat, some assembly requiredI updated the attendance information in Canvas during the weekend. If you had an absence and provided a doctor’s note, a notice from the Dean, or something similar, those absences are now marked as “Tardy” in Canvas. I still need to update the information for those of you who are student-athletes. I’ll take care of those later today.

Using the “Tardy” label for these excused absences allows me to still know when people were (or were not) in class while not having that absence count against you in the calculation.

Project 4 Details

For Project 4, you will choose items from a list to create in relationship to a fictional or nonfictional story. The most basic requirement is to create a polished branding video (maximum 2 minutes) or a polished website with at least three different pages that are NOT included in the Project Component List (e.g., an about page, a contact form).

Branding Video Examples

This video was created by a student in the 10:10 section of our class for another course that she took:

The Full Assignment and Decisionmaking

The assignment outlines all of the details for the assignment, but we need to make some decisions. Here is what I propose:

  • Your proposal for Project 4 is worth 15% of your course grade, taking the place of the final exam in the course grade distribution.
  • Your Project 4 is worth 25% of your course grade, as originally planned, but it is due the last week of the class. The grace period ends at the close of the latest exam period for the course.
  • The originally planned final exam (Revision and Maintenance Plan) isn’t completed.

Homework

For Wednesday, do the following before class:

For Friday, do the following before class:

  • Review the information on proposals in Writer/Designer, on pp. 90–92.
  • Choose a focus and make tentative plans for the project components you will complete.

 
Last updated on 11th April, 2016, 9:53 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: ,
by on 2016-04-08

Citations for Various Genres

This is the post for the Friday, April 8, 2016 class meeting.

Photo of the character Austin Powers, with the caption, I noticed you don't cite your sources. I too like to live dangerously.Extra Credit Activities

  • Participate in the #SeeVT contest, adding the hashtag #Engl3844s16 to your post. See details from the 4/4 class. Here are the #SeeVT examples so far.
  • Take a Sober Selfie during Alcohol Awareness Month. See details from the 4/6 class. Add #Engl3844s16.

Demonstrating How to Create Citations for Various Genres

We’ll continue to use the following resources:

Genres to Consider

  1. Audio recording
  2. Digital image posted on Twitter
  3. Infographic
  4. Personal webpage
  5. Scholarly article online
  6. News story online (e.g., CNN, NPR Morning Edition, PBS NewsHour)
  7. Magazine article online (e.g., The Atlantic, Harper’s, The New Yorker)
  8. Informal blog post
  9. Video
  10. PowerPoint/Prezi presentation

Today’s Instructions

  1. Return to the document you have been working in.
  2. Choose three genres from the "Genres to Consider" list above.
  3. Make a table in your document with these columns: Specific Use, Placement, Appropriate Format, Notes. Follow the example.
  4. Complete the chart for each resource your group has been assigned. You will have multiple uses for each resource.
  5. Email the word processor documents to me, or share Google Docs with me (if you haven’t already).
  6. I will collect all of the examples of how to cite the sources in one document that you use in Project 4.

The Resources to Evaluate

  1. Photo of a Winter Bee
  2. Cartoon on Duck and Cover
  3. Photo of a SuperCat
  4. Audio of Birds
  5. Wikipedia article on The Undertaker
  6. The 1932 film of A Farewell to Arms
  7. The book Writer/Designer
  8. Sound effect of creepy music
  9. Video of The New Day entrance
  10. Article on National Poetry Month

Homework

For Monday, do the following before class:

  • Read Chapter 5 of Writer/Designer. We will go over the Project 4 assignment, which will include writing a short proposal by April 15.

 
Last updated on 7th April, 2016, 2:49 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes