Questions, Questions, Questions

I wanted to share some information that has come up from various students.

First, I will post information on what should be included in your introduction blog posting on Friday. This weekend you will want to make sure that you have set up your blog and posted the web address in webct.

Second, read the information on the syllabus about the different types of blog postings you will be required to complete throughout the semester. Next week you will need to start the weekly required postings. You will receive credit for completion of the appropriate number of posts.

In many ways, the blog can be a huge grade boom or bust. If you complete all assignments you will receive a 100 for 20 percent of your grade. This would elevate your grade quite a bit. However, the same can happen if you don't complete assignments--your grade could drop quite a bit. So, you want to stay on top of the blog writing component of the class.

Let me give you a little more information on the types of blog entries you will need to complete beginning next week.

1. You will write on entry responding to each assigned chapter from our textbook. There are deadlines for these entries--look at webct calendar for information on when each chapter entry must be completed. You should write a response of at least 8 sentences to each chapter. You might highlight the important items that you have learned or you might pick one item that you will discuss in detail. You might also talk about how you could use what you learn in the chapter in either your professional life or in a specific class assignment.

2. You will also write entries that respond to a particular question or issue that I post on my blog. If the assignment will be counted toward your final blog post I will clearly tell you this ("This assignment will be graded and will count toward your final blog grade") as well as give you a specific due date. I will cross post the due date on the webct calendar (your source for all deadlines!).

3. You should post one entry a week of your own choice. The entry should be professional, but is open topic. You might respond to an issue that you have noticed on my blog or someone else's blog, or an issue that you notice in the university or on the news.

4. You should use the comment function on a classmate's blog at least 2 times each week. Note that this is not two comments per each classmate blog, but two comments on two separate classmate's blogs, 2 times a week. Make sense?

You will want to get started on your reading and blog posting regarding the first chapters. See the syllabus on webct for assigned reading.

Please note that CPR and Turnitin.com are not yet available. I will have both up and running by mid next week, which will give you one week to complete your CPR practice module assignment.