After several weeks of class, we collectively discovered that the format of two writing assignments--the daily "Questions" and this Wiki itself--were not meeting the expectations any of held out for them. So we spent some time in class discussing why this might be and what remedies we might offer that would meet both the pedagogical need for engagement with course topics and seemed most fitting given the nature of the discussions about new media we had been having. The following is my summary of that discussion. Feel free to comment upon or amend this as you see fit (bboessen).



All,
I think the best way to do this so that everyone gets an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process is first for me to try to summarize the issues you raised and the potential solutions you offered. Then, you should take the time to reflect on these possibilities and provide further feedback (in the form of "Reply to All" emails) over the weekend. By Tuesday, I will have the final answer on how we will alter these two assignments to better accomplish the course objectives. Here is the summary as I heard it Tuesday:

Problems with the Questions Assignment:
A) The don't seem connected to class discussion; they are not used in class
B) They work practically like weaker versions of the Analyses, ie, they ask you to think, but only at the level of comprehension of the reading

Problems with the Wiki Assignment:
A) People don't / can't spend the time that would be needed to make it a good site
B) As an assignment, it does not motivate students in the right way, ie, in the way a good wiki motivates participation
C) Some don't feel knowledgeable enough about New Media to post
D) The discussions in class make the concepts discussed on the wiki feel redundant and / or unnecessary
E) The interface is not easy to use for those not already familiar with web design

Possible Changes that would solve some of these Problems:
[One change I still hope to make is to have a wireless node placed within striking distance of the classroom]
1) Have the wiki up and available for changes during class, so they are more integrated
2) Take a portion of class time each week to allow the class to post to the wiki, while issues are fresh in our minds
- it was suggested that there could be technical challenges to everyone posting at once
3) Make all course material, including summaries of readings, notes from class (perhaps even Brett's notes) required posting for the wiki
- since all material would be available there, you might not need to carry a notebook around
4) Give each reading a separate page, and allow a percentage of the class to post their thoughts on that reading
- these could be anything--including questions, analysis, examples, and links--but at minimum, someone should post a short summary
- anyone could edit any of these entries or comment upon them
5) Same as 4), but students would be assigned readings and be responsible both for posting basic information and for leading discussion in class
6) [offered via email by Sarah] Reduce class time to 50 minutes to allow more time outside class for wiki work
7) Some students liked the changes currently in effect, ie, that everyone is required to post a single question and answer to the wiki for each class day.
-If we kept this, you would still be required to participate on other parts of the site, but it would be easier because
8) Color code the wiki so its easier to read

Some general comments on these ideas include:
--In 4), if you are last to a page, you get screwed
--In 3) through 5), makes class time seem redundant

Take some time to think about all these possibilities--look over the syllabus objectives again, as well as the objectives listed on the Reflections assignment page (where the questions, analyses, and wiki are described), and feel free to contribute to the discussion via email. (If you post here as a comment, others are unlikely to see it before Tuesday.)