What does "value added" mean in this class? It means several things and those several things will be arranged by group activities and individual activities.
First, the group activities (after we will have formed groups by the end of the first week of classes)
Five percent of the grade for this class will come from
the name you select and the logo you create for the groups that you will populate in this class
Task
We will have formed groups for this semester.
Your task is to select a name for your group and to create a logo to brand your group.
We will refer to you all by your group names.
Condition
Submit your group name and logo as a
Canvas assignment response by the due date.
Standard
This is an easy one. The task is worth 5% of the semester grade.
Do it and get full credit, don't do it and get no credit.
Five percent of the grade for this class will come from
how your group manages and runs a class session
Task
Each group will have an opportunity to lead a class session, each one a consideration of sessions that preceded it.
The sessions you will lead will be noted in the
Canvas calendar.
Condition
The group will lead the 50 minute class as they see fit.
The class may involve presentations, discussions, activities, Q&A sessions ... anything.
It is up to the group to decide what to do and how to manage it.
Standard
The task is worth 5% of the semester grade.
Nothing is ever perfect, so evidence of thoughtfulness, consideration, and imagination will earn full points.
Second, the individual activities will be something to do daily and weekly over the semester
You will add continuing value you add to your peers' experience in this class, based on three things:
Everyone will get the chance to participate.
Eight percent of the grade for this class will come from
sharing your thoughts with your classmates
Task
At least once every 14 days during the semester,
you will be expected to have something interesting to say to your classmates
Condition
Write something to a
discussion post
at least once every two weeks.
Standard
The task is worth 8% of the semester grade (one point every two weeks).
Do it and get full credit, don't do it and get no credit.
Two percent of the grade for this class will come from
validating a classmate's effort
Task
Comment on a classmate's
discussion post
Condition
Doing it once during the semester will earn the two points.
Doing it more often would show your classmates how much you value their efforts.
Standard
The task is worth % of the semester grade.
Start early in the semester, and perhaps get in the habit.
Five percent of the grade for this class will come from
things we do in class
Task
Everyone will have the opportunity to initiate each class session, starting with session 04.
Expect to do this more than once during the semester.
You will know which session will be yours by finding your name on a session announcement in the
Canvas calendar.
Condition
The usual pattern will be that
- one person will discuss what we watched,
- one person will discuss what we read, and
- one person will discuss what we might have read from the optional readings
Standard
While much of class time will be taken up with lecture, there is always to the opportunity to share your thoughts in discussion.
Such discussion might be a further exploration of your discussion posts,
a back-and-forth about the topic of the day,
or a standalone discussion about something you feel merits the time in class.