Class Notes

Peer Review for Project 5

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This is the post for the November 13, 2014 class meeting.

Today we do peer review on Project 5, which is due on Tuesday.

Class Work for November 13

Today we focus on peer review for Project 5, using Google Drive. The process will be just like the peer review you have done on the previous projects. Here are the tasks to complete for today’s work:

  • Refresh yourself on the documentation for the comment system in Google Drive.
  • Post drafts for Project 5 in the forums.
  • Respond to two students on Google Drive and in the forums.
  • Review the comments on your own work.

Refresher on the Google Drive Comment System

If you need a reminder on the comment and sharing systems in Google Drive, use the step-by-step instructions for how to use Google Drive for peer review on the FAQ site, which includes details on how to share your document, how to comment, and how to respond to comments.  If you need a more detailed explanation, be sure to check out the Lynda video on “Commenting on a file.”

Note that if you do not convert your documents to Google Doc format, your classmates cannot comment on your work properly and your participation grade suffers. After all, you cannot participate in the peer review fully if no one can comment on your work.

Posting Your Drafts for Project 5

You will post the share link to your draft in the forums:

  1. Go to the Project 5: Definition, Description, and Instructions forum, and create a topic for your draft with your name or your username and career or field (e.g., “Traci, college writing instructor”).

  2. Post a reply in your topic, doing the following:
    • If you do not want to share your last name in the forums, change it in your draft to a pseudonym. You can use a generic last name like Doe or Smith, or you can change it to Lastname.
    • Share the link(s) to your Project 5 drafts in Google Docs, using the FAQ linked in the Refresher section above.

  3. Let your classmates know about any specific concerns that you want them to consider as they comment on your draft.

  4. Be sure to Preview your draft to make sure everything shows up the way you want it to, and then submit your post.

Responding to Your Classmates’ Drafts

Follow these instructions to respond to your classmates’s drafts:

  1. Read and comment on the drafts of at least two of your classmates:

    • Find one post that no other student has replied to (so that we can be sure everyone gets a reply).
    • Find a second post that has only one other student reply.

  2. Use the Share link to go to your classmate’s draft on Google Drive and do the following:

    • Check the title of the document(s), and add a comment to tell your partner if it is clear and effective.
    • If you notice any spelling errors, punctuation errors, or typos, mark them as you read, but please focus more on the content rather than editing.
    • Add comments on the content of the draft. Comment on at least three things your classmate does well and at least three things that your classmate could improve on. It’s fine (excellent, even) to include more than the minimum number of comments.
    • As you check the documents, check them for the following:
      • Extended definition: Does the document use layout and design to make the information easy to read?
      • Instructions: Are the steps numbered? Does the document use imperative verbs? Is the layout open and airy?
      • Glossary: Does the document use layout and design to make the terms and definitions clear? Are the entries in alphabetical order? Do the glossary entries use broken sentences?

  3. Once you finish commenting on the document, go back to your classmate’s post in the forums and add an overall comment that sums up what you thought of the paper and gives your partner some encouragement.

Reviewing the Comments You Received

Once you have finished adding comments to your classmates’ projects, return to your own draft, read the comments that your classmates have given you, and add replies as appropriate. For instance, you might thank your partner for catching an error, ask your partner for more detail on feedback you don’t understand, or share a revision and ask your partner if it is an improvement. Your goal is to reply today so that your classmate can respond if you need more information.

Class Notes

Analyzing Project 5 Examples

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This is the post for the November 11, 2014 class meeting. Today is Veterans Day.

Today, I have some tips for you and examples for the project you are working on. Peer review is on Thursday the 13th and the Project is due on Tuesday the 18th. The grace period ends Tuesday, December 2.

Class Work for November 6

These are the tasks to complete for today’s work:

  • Review Scholar how-to’s.
  • Check your forum posts to make sure you are making progress.
  • Read and discuss examples for Project 5.
  • Go over a few FAQs about the project.

Scholar How-To’s

Never open Scholar in more than one tab or browser window. Scholar will overwrite or lose the data in your tabs. If you want to have access to something you wrote for another project, copy that information and paste it into a Google Doc or another word processor window. You risk losing everything you have written when you open more than one tab for Scholar.

Projects 2 and 3 are graded in Scholar. Check this FAQ for details on how to find any comments I left for you: How do I find feedback on my Assignments in Scholar?

Another Reminder about Forum Posts & Participation Grade

Be sure you are where you want to be for the Forum Posts and Participation portion of your grade, which is worth 16% of your overall course grade.

Analyzing a Project 5 Example

I have posted some examples for Project 5, written by students who took the course during the summer. Read through them and think about your drafts for the project. Go to the Analyzing P5 Examples topic in the forums and use the questions there to talk about how the examples compare to the work you are doing for Project 5.

News Anchor Project

Construction Project Engineer

Some Project 5 FAQs

Do we have to choose a STEM career since the assignment is for students interested in those careers? 
Use whatever career you are planning on for yourself. We’ll assume a very wide definition of STEM.

Do I have to use the same career choice that I used for other projects this term?
No, you can focus more (e.g., Web Developer instead of Computer Science) or choose something else if you wish.

Does it have to be exactly 500 words?
It’s hard to say precisely how many words you will need since I do not know how you might incorporate headings or images. The best advice is to use your space wisely by trying for one of these lengths:

  • Fill up one sheet of paper with words and images.
  • Fill up a page and a half with words and images.
  • Fill up two pages with words and images.

Essentially, create a nice looking sheet of information, and worry more about making it look nice on the page than about the precise number of words.

Class Notes

Graphics, Instructions, and Definitions

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This is the post for the November 6, 2014 class meeting.

There are lots of resources to share today, and you’ll post several times in the forums and send me an email message. Let’s get to it.

Class Work for November 6

These are the tasks to complete for today’s work:

  • Look at some resources for choosing and using graphics.
  • Go over some information on instructions and definitions.
  • Discuss some examples in the forums.

Choosing and Using Graphics

You can find tips for adding graphics to your documents on the FAQ site. Most importantly, know that unless you take the photo yourself, you need to be sure that it’s okay to use it in your writing. In the workplace, you will frequently have staff who curate photo collections you can use if you need to illustrate a document. For our purposes, however, you have to think about issues like copyright and citing your sources.

Work through these FAQs for details and resources, including places to find images that you can use freely (as long as you credit your source):

Writing Instructions and Definitions

I pointed out the key information from the textbook in the last post. Today I have some slideshow presentations that review the information from the text and add some details that help you as you work on your project:

  1. The Writing Instructions slideshow includes a List of Required Parts (all the things you need to include in your instructions). Check the last slide for Tips for Instructions (a list of things I sometimes see people struggle with).

  2. The Writing Definitions slideshow focuses on sentence and paragraph definitions, which you are likely to use if you create a glossary. Most glossary entries will be no more than a sentence or two. You will also find information on glossary format. If you are creating a glossary, pay particular attention to slides 11–14.

Discussing Example Instructions and Definitions

You will post two forum replies today, one for instructions and one for glossaries:

Class Notes

Overview of Project 5

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This is the post for the November 4, 2014 class meeting.

This week, we start discussion of definitions, descriptions, and instructions.

Class Work for November 4

These are the tasks to complete for today’s work:

  • Present details on your forum posts and participation grade.
  • Go over the assignment for Project 5.
  • Read about the genres of technical description, definition, and instructions (chapter 14 of Markel).

Forum Posts & Participation Grade

With about five weeks left of class time, be sure you are where you want to be for the Forum Posts and Participation portion of your grade, which is worth 16% of your overall course grade. The information will help you make sure you meet your goals for the course as well as help you when we get to Project 6, which will report on your progress and accomplishments in the course.

Getting Started on Project 5

The fifth assignment is to create documents that will tell a middle or high school student about your field, in preparation for a career day event. You can write up to three documents: a description, step-by-step instructions, and a glossary.

Here’s what I want you to do:

    1. Read the assignment completely. Begin thinking about the goals you will set for the assignment and the specific field you will choose.

    2. If you have any questions (today or in the future) about the assignment, go to the Questions about Project 5 topic in the forum and add them. You can skim through this topic for answers as well.

Discussing Technical Description, Definition, and Instructions

Nearly everything you need to know to complete Project 5 is included in chapter 14, so I urge you to read the textbook thoroughly and follow the advice that it offers. To help you navigate the chapter, let me provide a few tips:

  • The extended definition that you are writing should provide someone who knows nothing about your field with a clear understanding of what your job will involve. Pay particular attention to the strategies on pages 362–66, which demonstrate different ways you can organize your definition.

  • Instructions follow very specific formats, with numbered steps and imperative verbs (commands). Pay particular attention to the information on page 377 about open, airy design. Also notice the details on adding appropriate warnings and the use of signal words. Finally, follow the guidelines for “Drafting steps in Instructions,” on pages 382–383.

  • A glossary usually uses sentence definitions, so pay attention to the information on pages 361–362 if you decide to complete that document. Remember that a glossary should be alphabetized and that the layout should make the defined terms stand out. Someone should be able to look at your glossary and know immediately what it is by the design and layout. There’s an excerpt of a glossary on page 330.

The information in the textbook is very important to your success for the project. Rather than asking you to respond to discussion questions today, I am asking that you read the chapter closely, looking for details that will help you with your project. As you read if you have any questions, please post them in the forums.

On Thursday, I will share some tips on finding and using graphics and provide some examples documents. I want you to be ready to tell me what your plan is for Project 5—in particular, I want to know what you will focus your instructions on, if you choose to write them, so that I can make sure you have chosen something that fits the length expectations.

Class Notes

Submitting Project 4

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This is the post for the October 30, 2014 class meeting.

Today is the due date for Project 4, your job application materials. Aim to submit your work today, but remember that you have a one-week grace period if you need it.

Work for October 30

These are the tasks to complete for today’s work:

  • Go over the requirements for Project 4.
  • Review the location of the FAQs for using Google Drive.
  • Review the LinkedIn permissions settings.
  • Discuss the reflection memo and how to submit Project 4 in Scholar.

Requirements for Project 4

You need to turn in a reflection memo as well as a share link to your job application materials. Use the project assignment to check your work. Make sure that you include all the elements that you proposed in your Project 3 Proposal. Also remember to check your spelling and proofread for grammar and punctuation.

Google Drive FAQs

Note: this is the same information you followed in Project 1. I’m including it as a reference in case you need a reminder.

To make sure that you can submit your project smoothly, pay attention to the following FAQs:

Set Permissions for LinkedIn Projects

For me to see and grade your work on LinkedIn, I either need you to connect with me on LinkedIn or for you to make sure your privacy setting will let the public see your profile. Check the What permissions do I need on LinkedIn? FAQ for more details.

Writing Your Reflection Memo and Submitting Your Project

Your reflection memo is your chance to tell me anything you want me to know before I read your project. For this project, your reflection memo will give me the link to your spreadsheet on Google Drive and the link to your analysis memo if you created one. You will also tell me about what you have written. Follow these instructions to submit your work:

  1. Go to the Assignments tab on the left menu in Scholar.
  2. Choose “P4: Job Application Materials.”
  3. Scroll down to the text box below the headings Submission and Assignment Text. You will write your memo in this box. (Alternately, you can write in a word processor or Google Doc, and copy/paste your text into this box.)
  4. Add your memo headers (To, From, Subject, and Date). For your reflection memo, you’ll use the following:
    • Address your memo to me (Traci) and from yourself (use your name).
    • Add a subject line that indicates this is your reflection memo and which project it is for.
    • Add the current date.
  5. Insert a horizontal divider line using the button indicated with the red arrow in the image below:
    Insert Horizontal Line button in Scholar
  6. Introduce your project—what are your overall goals, what grade have you aimed for for Project 4, and what documents have you written for the project? Be sure to list all three levels (A-level work, B-level work, and C-level work) that you outlined for your job application materials in your Project 3 proposal.
  7. If you are using Google Drive for any of your documents, do the following:
    1. Convert your document to Google Drive format if you worked in another word processor.
    2. Add the Share link to the document on your Google Drive. Use the instructions for how to get the Share link on the FAQ site if you are unsure how to share documents. Make sure you set permissions so that I can add comments.
  8. If you are working on other sites (like LinkedIn or GitHub), do the following:
    1. Make sure that your permissions are set so that I can see your work.
    2. Add the link to your profile or website to your reflection memo.
  9. Tell me what I need to know to understand the information you have included in your document.
  10. Tell me anything else you want me to know about the the layout and design.
  11. Add a concluding section that tells me anything else you want me to know about your project.
  12. Agree to the Honor Code by clicking the checkbox at the bottom of the page in Scholar. You cannot finish submitting the project without clicking that checkbox (and it’s easy to miss).
  13. Submit your Project, and save a copy of the confirmation and submission ID. If something goes wrong in Scholar, you can contact 4HELP with that information.
  14. You’re done! Congrats!

Class Notes

Peer Review for Project 4

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This is the post for the October 28, 2014 class meeting.

Class Work for October 28

These are the tasks to complete for today’s work:

  • Go over the requirements for Project 4.
  • Set permissions for LinkedIn (if relevant).
  • Refresh yourself on the documentation for the comment system in Google Drive.
  • Post drafts for Project 4 in the forums.
  • Respond to two students on Google Drive and in the forums.
  • Review the comments on your own work.

Comments on Graded Work

If you have any questions about your grades, please check the comments on graded work. You can use the How do I find feedback on my Assignments in Scholar? FAQ for help.

Requirements for Project 4

Project 4 requires you to create and turn in the job application materials that your proposed in Project 3. The specifics of your project depend upon what you proposed. Look back at your Project 3 Proposal for details.

Set Permissions for LinkedIn Projects

If you proposed working on a LinkedIn profile, you need to make sure that the permissions are set properly. For me to see and grade your work on LinkedIn, I either need you to connect with me on LinkedIn or for you to make sure your privacy setting will let the public see your profile. Check the What permissions do I need on LinkedIn? FAQ for more details.

Refresher on the Google Drive Comment System

If you need a reminder on the comment and sharing systems in Google Drive, use the step-by-step instructions for how to use Google Drive for peer review on the FAQ site, which includes details on how to share your document, how to comment, and how to respond to comments.  If you need a more detailed explanation, be sure to check out the Lynda video on “Commenting on a file.”

Posting Your Drafts for Project 4

You will post the share link to your draft in the forums:

  1. Go to the Project 4 Peer Review section of the forums, and create a topic for your draft with your name or your username (e.g., “Traci’s Job App”).

  2. Post a reply in your topic, doing the following:
    • If you do not want to share your last name in the forums, change it in your draft to a pseudonym. You can use a generic last name like Doe or Smith, or you can change it to Lastname.
    • Share the link(s) to your Project 4 drafts in Google Docs, using the FAQ linked in the Refresher section above. If you have links to other documents, like you LinkedIn profile, provide those instead (or as well).

  3. Tell your classmates what job application materials you have created and let them know about any specific concerns that you want them to consider as they comment on your draft.

  4. Be sure to Preview your draft to make sure everything shows up the way you want it to, and then submit your post.

Responding to Your Classmates’ Drafts

Follow these instructions to respond to your classmates’s drafts:

  1. Read and comment on the drafts of at least two of your classmates:

    • Find one post that no other student has replied to (so that we can be sure everyone gets a reply).
    • Find a second post that has only one other student reply.

  2. Either use the Share link to go to your classmate’s draft on Google Drive or visit the page(s) they have submitted.

    If you are working on Google Drive, use the Comment system to add details on the following issues. If you are reviewing a LinkedIn profile or another document outside Google Drive, add a reply in the forums and include answers to the following in your reply:

    • Consider your immediate impression of the document(s), and add a comment to tell your partner your first thoughts. Job application materials can be rejected at a glance, so first impressions matter.
    • If you notice any spelling errors, punctuation errors, or typos, mark them as you read, but please focus more on the content rather than editing.
    • Add comments on the content of the draft. Comment on at least three things your classmate does well and at least three things that your classmate could improve on.

  3. Once you finish commenting on the document, add an overall comment in the forums that sums up what you thought of the job application materials and gives your partner some encouragement.

Reviewing the Comments You Received

Once you have finished adding comments to your classmates’ projects, return to your own draft, read the comments that your classmates have given you, and add replies as appropriate. For instance, you might thank your partner for catching an error, ask your partner for more detail on feedback you don’t understand, or share a revision and ask your partner if it is an improvement. Your goal is to reply today so that your classmate can respond if you need more information.