Collin College

We've started at Collin College.  So excited.  I have two full classes and a few people on the waiting list.  Wow, feels good to be popular. LOL!

Ready to see the students.

Teaching Technical Writing

This semester I have the privilege of teaching Tech Writing live @ Richland College.  I'm so exciting and scared.

I'll have to come up with group work for them to do.  A little nervous about that.  Don't tell anyone, but I hate group work.  Always have.  Ugh! #professorproblems

Looking forward to see how things go.

Go Thunder DUCKS!

Week 3... Let the Blogging Begin

This week in my Technical Writing Classes, we begin working on our blogs this week.  I'm excited.  Can't wait to see how the student interpret the prompts.

Week 2

I had to rethink week 2.  One of my students showed me how much work I had them doing that week.  I was like wow, that’s too much.  I want them to learn what they need to learn, but don’t want them to hate me in the process.

We’re creating PowerPoints & PDFs this week.  Using these items to learn about audiences.  I have them doing three assignments, presenting information to three different audiences.  I want them to see how different information can be presented to various audiences.

On a personal note… I’m planning a big date with my hubby.  It’s a surprise.  I’m excited.

Week 1 Done

Week one is done.  It was a good week.  I really enjoyed it.  I’m ready to get started.  I hope I can teach the students some interesting things.

I feel like my father with this class.  I’m preparing them to walk into a company, and be ready for a job interview.  They create resumes, e-portfolios, letters to accept, reject, or ask for a job, and documents that highlight their work.  It’s cool to hear one of them say… “I feel prepared to go get a job!”

I love introducing e-portfolios.  Many students fuss about them, but once they finish, they see the benefits of one.  I need to work on mine more.  Planning on doing that soon.

Until next week, be creative, learn something, and have some fun.

Spring Semester of Technical Writing

I’ve started the Spring semester of Technical Writing.  I’m excited.  I think I’ve finally gotten my class together, so now, I shouldn’t have to do as much work as I had to do the first couple of semesters.

I must work out how to work out an effective schedule.  I’m going to like these two classes.  They are very active, and asks lots of questions.  It’s cool because I love the interaction.

I’m enjoying teaching this class.  My “ideal” class to teach was Creative Writing, Novel or Story Writing specifically, but now, my “ideal” class has changed.  It’s Technical Writing now.  The students have done some amazing work.  It’s been fun seeing what they can do.

I’m looking forward to this semester.

I’m going to be sure to keep up with the blog this semester.

Taking Technical Writing

I remember taking Technical Writing when I was in college some years ago.  That is when I became interested in the genre of writing.  It was intriguing because I could write, as well as use my graphic design skills.

I started by creating a couple of flyers, then we were asked to create a website.  I had a good website, and the professor really liked the work I did in the class.  I cannot remember any of the other Technical Writing classes or assignments, but I remember enjoying the classes.

I wanted to become a technical writer.  I remember telling my father I wanted to minor in Technical Writing.  I am still trying to figure out how my father became my college advisor.  In retrospect, I probably should have used my college resources to the fullest, rather than relying on my father to be everything for me in college.  He was good, but I think I could have received a more object view of my college career from a non-parent.  He did think getting a Technical Writing minor was a good idea.  I am glad, too.

I am now teaching Technical Writing classes.  I think I may be more excited about it than the students may be sometimes.  It is all because I had the Technical Writing minor as part of my Bachelor’s degree.

One-Minute Papers

Last week, I began using One-Minute Papers. I heard about them in a Professional Development session. I was weary of using them, but they interested me.

I used it for the first time in my ENGL1301 class. It was interesting to get the responses that I received. You give the students a post-it note or an index card. I used index cards. You then ask them to write 2-4 sentences on a question that you ask them. There are a number of questions you can ask them from content questions to learning questions. It is a great tool to gage student’s engagement in the class.

The question I asked last week was… What idea expressed in last week’s class strongly affected or influenced your personal opinions, viewpoints, or values? Overall, I received some good responses. The funniest ones are the ones where people said nothing influenced or affected them. I am always amazed at the handwriting some of my students have, some of them would make great fonts. I will continue to use this tool in my writing classes.

I am thinking about introducing them to the Sunday School teachers for my Sunday School class. I think it would be a good tool to engage people’s engagement in the class because sometimes it seems as if people aren’t engaged with the teaching.

Welcome to my Blog

I have asked my Technical Writing Class to create and maintain a blog as a project. I used to be a big blogger back in the day, but I haven't kept one in a long while. I'm excited about the blog. I'm looking forward to seeing what my students do. I'll also post my responses to the blog prompts I ask them to write about here as well. #imbackblogging