You have three wrap-up assignments due this week. Although three might sound like a lot, I do not believe that they will be overwhelming.
These assignments will be due at the end of the final exam time slot set by the registrar for this class: noon, Thursday, May 14.
The assignments are
In lieu of a final exam, submit a short reflective essay (roughly 400-800 words). Be sure to review the guidelines for essays. As I reminded you when I returned your first rough drafts,
Respond to one of the following prompts. If you have a better idea, you may propose an alternate prompt to me by Monday, May 11.
How would you respond to Joy's article, "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us," differently now than you did at the beginning of the semester? What new ideas or evidence have affected your views?
What reading or guest lecturer most influenced your thinking about technology? Explain the relevant ideas and reflect upon how your views were affected.
During the first week, one of you described the course as "Tutorial for grown-ups." Reflect upon how you have developed your skills in reading, writing, research, or discussion this semester.
To submit your essay, please place it in the folder outside my door. Feel free to drop in and chat if I am available and you would like to talk with me about your essay.
Because you will not have had the opportunity to revise this essay, I will weight the polish of your writing less than in previous essays, and place greater weight on the depth of your reflection, the organization of your thoughts, and the quality and quantity of supporting evidence.
Your third polished essay is due to the orange folder (in class or outside my office) by 5:30 p.m. I would like you to revise either your fifth or your sixth essay in response to my comments. I encourage you to also get feedback from a member of your study team.
The grading rubric I plan to use is below. I also provide two worksheets for peer review.
Your essay may expand somewhat---up to about 1000 words---in response to substantive questions or objections. However, you should strive to be concise as well as clear, careful, and persuasive.
Please staple prior drafts and feedback (from me, from a member of your study team) to the back of your essay. There is a stapler in the printer room across from my office.
An evaluation form will be distributed during the last day of class. After filling out this form, pelase slide it under my door or return it to me by campus mail.
Janet Davis (davisjan@cs.grinnell.edu)
Created May 7, 2009