DR C's Academic Online Cruise Ship—Week Sixteen: Trainees Get Their Grades

To read the initial post about DR C's Academic Online Cruise, go HERE.

DR C—CAPTAIN'S LOG
ADVANCED ENGLISH COMPOSITION 102
ONBOARD AND ONLINE—WEEK SIXTEEN: APRIL 28-MAY 4

ONBOARD

Day One

No class was held on this day. Instead, I wanted to finish the final three conferences that were scheduled. 

I told my trainees before the final conferences that everyone should pass this course. Their performance throughout this whole time on this ship has been the basis for this statement. Also, I wanted to assure every trainee that my mantra that “I grade on improvement” is real. And so, all they had to do is perform well on their final exam. Everyone did this except for one trainee. 

This trainee did not make it on time for his conference. He did not submit his final. "Good Grief" was my reaction because I was “pulling for” this student as I have done for all of my trainees.  Did he fail the course?

No. I kept my word that I would grade on improvement. This particular trainee has demonstrated remarkable improvement. 

There were two parts to this final, the final that I would check at the conference and the other part of the final—four (4) in-class writings. These in-class writings gave those who might not have done well on the final that would be graded in the conference another way to demonstrate their ability to write under pressure. This student who missed the deadline to meet with me did demonstrate in the in-class writings as well as in past assignments. And this is why he passed, not with a high grade, but he did pass. 

DR. C's Academic Online Cruise Ship—Week Fifteen: Conferences Continue

To read the initial post about DR C's Academic Online Cruise, go HERE.

DR C—CAPTAIN'S LOG
ADVANCED ENGLISH COMPOSITION 102
ONBOARD AND ONLINE—WEEK FIFTEEN: APRIL 21-27

ONBOARD—WEEK 

Day One and Day Two

I continue my one-on-one conferences. I may have stated in a past log that they are about 25 minutes each in length. I check their final exams. And after doing so, I ask each one of my crew: “What grade do you feel you have earned for this final exam paper? Now, keep in mind your assessment should not be what you may have prayed for or what you may want. It should be the grade you feel this paper has earned."

In most cases, the crew member’s answer to my question and my assessment is within the range the work has actually earned.

ONLINE

I received the final exams on the first day of this week. Yes, I recognized this was during a holy week for some. However, I encouraged them to submit this final ahead of this time. Some did; some did not. The important factor is that all trainees knew this exam could not be submitted late.

Unfortunately, one trainee did submit his work late. I did not accept it. I reiterated the class policy regarding late work, which, at the beginning of this embarking of this ship’s voyage, each trainee acknowledged s/he understood and agreed with this rule. Furthermore, I indicated just how unfair it would be to his crewmates if I did accept his late final exam.

Reflections:

As long as I have served as a captain, I do know that one-on-one conferences are a must for trainees. Some trainees would never come and sit with a captain if this is not offered. Yes, those who do not want to meet with me I do allow. This seldom occurs. And for the many years I have held conferences, they have helped me give the individualized care that has been a key point of my role as captain.

I suggest that anyone who wants to take on this role, if s/he has not made conferences a major component of his/her instruction, that captain should do so.

Conferences are a major factor of my teaching and I shall always continue this methodology. They help me get to know my trainees more closely. And they get to know me. Both are very important.  

What do you think about DR C's Academic Online Cruise Ship? Tell us your thoughts in the comment box below this post. 

DR. C's Academic Online Cruise Ship—Week Fourteen: It's Almost Over

To read the initial post about DR C's Academic Online Cruise, go HERE.

DR C—CAPTAIN'S LOG
ADVANCED ENGLISH COMPOSITION 102
ONBOARD AND ONLINE—WEEK FOURTEEN: APRIL 14-20

ONBOARD—WEEK FOURTEEN

Day One

Believe it or not; now, the end of the semester is here. I will be using this week and the next for one-on-one conferences. Some were really rewarding. I had trainees who really showed real effort and improvement. What a joy!

Day Two

I continued conferences. If they were not sick, they were there—on time.  Those who were ill, either presented their work to me in person or emailed their work to me during the time we were to meet. 

ONLINE 

This week my online trainees were scheduled to email me their final exam/research paper. So, I shall be busy checking papers. 

Reflections: 

I continue to be delighted when I read a final exam that demonstrates significant improvement. And when I give the deserved praise, I experience a joy that cannot be expressed in words when I see the smile on that student's face. 

Can I say that everyone has shown improvement? Nope.😕 However, I seem to get more good works than not-so-good. For me and for my trainees that brings real joy!

My final comments will come next week. 

What do you think about DR C's Academic Online Cruise Ship? Tell us your thoughts in the comment box below this post. 

DR. C's Academic Online Cruise Ship—Week Thirteen: A New Method for Peer-to-Peer Reviews

To read the initial post about DR C's Academic Online Cruise, go HERE.

DR C—CAPTAIN'S LOG
ADVANCED ENGLISH COMPOSITION 102
ONBOARD AND ONLINE—WEEK THIRTEEN: APRIL 7-13

ONBOARD—WEEK THIRTEEN

Day One

Now, my trainees had to post on Blackboard on Saturday of last week, their body theme three of their research papers. On Day Two of last week, I had assigned each person in a group of three or four. So, when they came to the training session on Day One, they got into groups and provided peer-to-peer review of their group members’ posts. They had already emailed to me their critiques; in this way this motivated everyone actually to have some valuable comments to share. No one, who had been assigned to a group, walked in unprepared. They had to give each member the same critique that they had emailed to me.

Also, each group member had to critique himself/herself. Thus, each person could see if some of the strengths and weaknesses s/he found were similar to what their group members noted.

I brought in my laptop and walked around the groups, at first listening. Then, I did my best to give my critique of each one’s first body paragraph or a paragraph that a member wanted me to critique.

Now, what about those trainees who did not come to class last week, thus, were not prepared? I told them to post that eve and be prepared to discuss on Day Two. On Day One they were encouraged to sit in on any of the groups. This gave them a clear idea as to what was expected and how they should conduct themselves on 

Day Two

The peer-to-peer reviews were completed on this day.  I continued by going from group to group giving my “two cents worth” of ideas that may help them improve. Also, some of my comments coincided with those of in their group. I want to foster confidence in my trainees’ own review skills. Still, they like the assurance they receive when they hear my comments.

ONLINE

My online trainees had the opportunity to choose from a list of extra credit assignments: 

There are five ways (you can choose all five, only two, or only one—in other words, you can do all or none; it's your choice) you can earn extra credit points: 

DR. C's Academic Online Cruise Ship—Week Twelve: Putting the Crew Under Pressure

To read the initial post about DR C's Academic Online Cruise, go HERE.

DR C—CAPTAIN'S LOG
ADVANCED ENGLISH COMPOSITION 102
ONBOARD AND ONLINE—WEEK TWELVE: MARCH 31-APRIL 6

ONBOARD—WEEK TWELVE 

Day One

I am still in New Orleans. So, the substitute gave my trainees another assignment. This one was a Library Scavenger Hunt. There were different sources they had to find in the ship’s library and set up the works-cited format for that source. This assignment the trainees could do by themselves or in groups, whichever suited them. The substitute did not have to go with them to the library, just give them the “hunt sheet” and let them go their way. The assignment was to be placed in my office mailbox.

Day Two 

I AM BACK😀!!  I enjoyed the conference, but I, also, was glad to return to the ship and work with my trainees.

They had to submit to me a response to a manuscript or book that was a collection of short stories dealing with the subject of PTSD. The manuscript dealt with a character who was able to time travel.  Both of these were on one of the pass-protected sites of the handbook. Also, the book, Dancer and Other Tattered Threads of PTSD Lives—After the Wars: Revisited, can be found by clicking HERE and going to the book's webpage on the MarketingNewAuthors.com website.

Both works are intriguing. The manuscript deals with moral issues. And each short story provides a close look at how PTSD can affect the soldier, the family, and friends.  Their assignment was to only one well-developed paragraph. 

We did discuss in class the works. The discussion about both works was a good one. This was a good assignment to discuss since my absence from two training sessions. It sparked lively discussions.

ONLINE

My online crew had to submit their research proposals.  What I do miss is the opportunity to have one-on-one conferences. However, whenever I see that a trainee does not seem to understand the samples, I set up a personal podcast for him/her. In the podcast, I talk to him/her as if s/he were in a conference with me. Of course, I cannot get immediate feedback, but, upon a trainee receiving such a podcast, it is appreciated. In most cases, these personal podcasts take about 18 to 25 minutes. 

DR. C's Academic Online Cruise Ship—Week Eleven: A Topic with a Twist

To read the initial post about DR C's Academic Online Cruise, go HERE.

DR C—CAPTAIN'S LOG
ADVANCED ENGLISH COMPOSITION 102
ONBOARD AND ONLINE—WEEK ELEVEN: MARCH 24-30

ONBOARD—WEEK ELEVEN

Day One

My trainees submitted their extra credit figures of speech assignment. I discussed what these major figures of speech were. Also, I discussed some of their identifications. Oh, the figures of speech assignment included were: simile, metaphor, personification, analogy, and allusion. Yes, I am aware of others, but I chose to focus on these main ones.

Next, I reviewed key verb errors and pronoun errors.

Finally, I let them know that there would be a substitute for Day Two of Week Eleven and Day One of Week Twelve. Why? I would be attending and presenting at the College English Association Conference in New Orleans. I shared that while gone, there would be in-class assignments.

Day Two

I chose a topic that I have seen used by others. I put my own twist to this one:

Topic for Writing Topic:

There has been a catastrophic loss of life from several atomic blasts throughout the world. By whatever reason, only seven (7) people have survived who are in a boat. They will be responsible for starting a new world on an island, which is the only land that is not affected by the massive atomic destruction. However, the boat is beginning to sink. Thus, it becomes quite evident that only three (3) of them can safely make it to the island. Now, an extra boat is attached that contains some food and survival supplies. So, those who are designated to be the survivors will transfer onto that boat and go to the island. So, there will have to be a decision regarding who will be allowed to stay in the boat. And it will be you who will make the choice of the three who will survive, meaning the remaining four will have to accept the fate of death. Below are the choices:

DR C's Academic Online Cruise Ship—Week Ten: Conferences with the Crew

To read the initial post about DR C's Academic Online Cruise, go HERE.

DR C—CAPTAIN'S LOG
ADVANCED ENGLISH COMPOSITION 102
ONBOARD AND ONLINE—WEEK TEN: MARCH 17 TO MARCH 23

ONBOARD—WEEK TEN
Day One and Day Two 

This whole week I had one-on-one conferences with all of my onboard trainees. These conferences are 25 minutes each. I discuss and grade their research proposal. 

The proposals contain the following:

A) Major Thesis

B) Intended Audience

C) Title

D) The Purpose expressed through the "soul/so-what sentence

E) Mini-thesis for each body theme 

F) Choose at least five (5) works cited entries to place on a works-cited page; these entries should be from sources you plan to use in your paper. Also, if there are any works-cited entries one is not certain about its format, this is a good time to give it a try. No one will be penalized; this will give me an opportunity to help clarify the format.