Thanks to all who have been working through these details. Personally, I'm
with Winnie on the discussion posts. I really like the idea of using the
all students forum so that posts (and comments) from multiple institutions
are consolidated; although grading may be a little more challenging, I'll
need to read all the posts anyway in order to assess the quality of student
responses to those posts.
Also, I'd like to report a change in our level of participation (I'm not
sure if I can edit the document on the Ning site, so thought an email might
be better). While Hofstra students will be participating in the discussion
forum, I'm not going to have them do a case study with students from partner
institutions. This is the first time I'm teaching the course, which is a
graduate level course in a very new graduate program; I'm feeling a little
nervous about biting off more than I can chew. If this level of
participation goes well, I hope to do more in the future.
Thanks again to all. This is very exciting!
Best,
Lyndi
--
Lyndi Hewitt, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology
202M Davison Hall
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY, USA 11549
Phone: 516-463-2438
Email: [log in to unmask]
On 1/17/11 9:40 PM, "Winnie Poster" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Thanks for the fast comments! (and an apology from me as well for my last
> reply to Elaine which went to the whole group -- we'll get this right one of
> these days ...)
>
> Bridget raises a great issue -- if we're organizing projects by topic, there's
> no real reason to separate the groups by methodology. If no one has any
> objection, we'll just make one forum instead of two (i.g., case study and
> service learning) for setting up groups.
>
> Some responses to Bruces great points as well -- yes, we've arranged the forum
> discussions by topic, and then within these, some faculty have set up
> sub-forums for their students. One advantage is making it easier to keep
> track of student postings for purposes of grades.
>
> I'd like to point out another option for students too. I've set up an "all
> students forum" inside each of the discussion topics, so that students can
> interact with each other there across universities. (In fact, I personally
> will NOT be having a separate discussion forum for my university -- I'll tell
> my students to go to the "all students" forum. Then I'll have them print out
> their entries for grading purposes.)
>
> Since we have a requirement for students to "respond" to the postings of other
> students, I hope faculty who have set up their own university discussion
> groups will not mind if outsiders comment on their entries (although I'm not
> even sure that's allowed through the software ....)
>
> Thanks for noting the distinction between "blog" and "forum" on NING -- that
> could really get confusing we didn't catch it quick! And we should definitely
> tell students about chat -- maybe they could print those out as well for
> grading?
>
> Winnie
>
> On Jan 17, 2011, at 7:08 PM, BRUCE FRIESEN wrote:
>
>> Colleagues:
>>
>> My class begins this week. I'm excited about the possibilities for myself
>> and the 18 students enrolled in my class. Below are some comments and
>> questions, for clarification:
>>
>> 1. Thank you to Winnie and Natasha. I like the structure you've provided
>> for group projects. After each of my students have formed a group with
>> students from two other institutions, I'll encourage them to create a HUDDLE
>> WORKSPACE in Ning for the three of them. It allows them to work privately
>> together.
>>
>> 2. From what I'm seeing, we're going to encourage students to create their
>> "blog" entries using the FORUM option in Ning. Within each subheading of the
>> FORUM (i.e. Globalization, Social Justice, Human Rights), each faculty member
>> will create the Discussion in which their students can blog. Am I
>> understanding this correctly? That way students will be able to view
>> students' "blogs" from other institutions and post a response as required.
>>
>> If this is the case, my only word of caution is to inform our students that
>> "blogging" will take place in the FORUM instead of the option entitled
>> "BLOGS."
>>
>> 3. The syllabus encourages students to interact with students from other
>> institutions, and that this activity will not be graded. I'll encourage my
>> students to do this, then, under the "BLOGS" option, and perhaps the CHAT
>> option. Is this acceptable to everyone?
>>
>> 4. For week 2 on Human Rights, the first link in the readings takes me to a
>> page of background on Indigenous Peoples. I assume this should instead be a
>> link to the UDHR? Please confirm, Rodney.
>>
>> Best,
>> Bruce Friesen, Sociology
>> University of Tampa
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>>
>> From: The Partners Project on behalf of Winnie Poster
>> Sent: Mon 1/17/2011 3:09 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: comments please! draft on setting up project groups
>>
>>
>> Hi Partners!
>>
>> Natasha and I have come up with a draft of instructions for students on how
>> to select their topic and their group for the projects. Please look over and
>> tell us your improved ideas, or how to make it work better with your course.
>> Please note:
>>
>> 1. we're proposing smaller groups to make them more flexible and workable
>> for the distance work relationships. Hope that's ok!
>>
>> 2. we set a deadline for choosing groups that we hope is workable for all
>> the different schedules out there. Let us know if it is not convenient.
>>
>> Comments are appreciated ASAP! We'll try to post this on the website by the
>> end of this week. Also welcome are suggestions of exactly *how* or *what*
>> students should do in their groups once they are formed.....
>>
>> Thanks, Winnie and Natasha
>>
>>
>> Instructions for Choosing a Project Topic and Group:
>>
>> 1. Decide on a topic concerning Globalization and Human Rights. We
>> recommend that you start by looking at the topics on your course syllabus and
>> discussing it with your instructor.
>>
>> a. Choose a general topic of human rights, e.g. ("environmental rights",
>> "children's rights," "labor rights", etc.). This needs to be focused enough
>> to have a common theme, but broad enough that students from different
>> locations can join in with specific examples from their communities. Rights
>> listed on the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights are good examples.
>>
>> b. Within the general topic, select your specific topic that will reflect
>> your particular research methodology and geographic context. For instance,
>> if you are doing volunteer work at a homeless shelter, your general topic may
>> be "poverty" and your specific topic will be "service learning and
>> observation of homelessness in XX city of XX country." Remember think about
>> both the "local" and "global" about the causes and manifestations of human
>> rights in your community. The overall theme of the course will be global,
>> and you may be directly comparing your topic to that of another country in
>> your group. However, depending upon the group formation, you may have
>> members from the same country, and therefore, the city or state based
>> comparisons will be more important.
>>
>> c. Get formal approval of your topic from your instructor.
>>
>>
>> 2. Join a group on the website. Go to the Forum Discussion link and look
>> for "Case Study Topics," or "Service Learning Topics".
>>
>> a. Look to see if you like any of the existing posted general topics. If
>> so, join the group by "replying" to an existing post. Enter your specific /
>> sub topic, and the university and country you are from. In the subject line,
>> mention if you are the "second" or "third" member of the group.
>>
>> b. If your topic is not listed, create a new group by "replying" with the
>> subject line: "Proposed General Topic: [insert here]". Enter your specific
>> / sub topic, and the university and country you are from.
>>
>> c. In your post, try to be as specific as you can about what you intend to
>> study, and how you plan to do it.
>>
>> d. If you want to change groups, send another post with the subject
>> "withdrawing from group"
>>
>>
>> 3. Rules for joining groups!
>>
>> a. Maximum 3 students per group. Once two others have replied to a given
>> topic, it is closed. You can start a new topic with the exact same heading,
>> however.
>>
>> b. Maximum 1 representative per university. If sometime has already joined
>> the group from your school, you may not join. However, you are welcome to
>> start a new group post with the same topic.
>>
>> c. Recommendation (but not requirement): try to pick a group that has some
>> international diversity. It may not be possible for every group to have
>> members from different countries, but let's try. When choosing your group,
>> see if your country is already represented, and if so, pick a different one.
>>
>> d. Deadline is February 11. If you are having trouble finding or joining a
>> group by February 11, send a reply post to the "Please Assign Me a Group"
>> thread. If your group is not filled by that date, we will try to fill it for
>> you. If we cannot, we may be assigning you a new group.
>>
>>
>> Faculty: If you have special instructions or criteria for your students
>> about what kind of topic or project group they join, please give them in
>> class. You can also monitor what groups they are joining on your own, and if
>> you would prefer they join a different group, instruct them to "withdraw" and
>> rejoin another.
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________
>> Dr. Winifred R. Poster
>> Brown School of Social Work
>> Washington University
>> Campus Box 1196
>> One Brookings Drive
>> St. Louis, MO 63130
>> www.winifredposter.com
>> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jan 17, 2011, at 10:24 AM, ??????? ??????? wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hello, Winnie,
>> did you get my message? Shall we continue the discussion?
>> I have couple of concerns - the main is that different universities
>> choose various forms of participation in our joint course. At least one
>> (Mason) will not make a joint project an obligatory part for Moson
>> university' course. I guess we should know in advance who is in and who is
>> not to be able to group people (((
>>
>> cheers,
>>
>> Natasha
>>
>>
>> Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:42:40 +0000 ?????? ?? Winnie Poster
>> <[log in to unmask]>:
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Natasha,
>>
>> (love your name, by the way, I chose this name for my
>> daughter!)
>>
>>
>> Shall we start working on the projects? Here are my thoughts:
>>
>> 1. I love the idea of starting with topics. Let's do that.
>>
>> 2. I'm thinking we should reduce the group size -- 6 is way
>> too big to coordinate across countries, much less in one room! I say three
>> -- all from different universities.
>>
>> 3. How about we let the students try to organize themselves at
>> first? We could open a discussion forum, and students could post a general
>> topic theme. Then interested students from other universities could "reply"
>> if they want to join. It would be much easier for students to arrange this
>> on their own. Anyone who doesn't have a group can reply to a "please assign
>> me to a group" discussion forum.
>>
>> 4. Then, for the groups that don't find enough partners, we
>> could take over and fill in. We could set an overall deadline, like Friday
>> Feb 11 (which looks like a time when all the course would have started).
>> Then you and I could distribute the unassigned people into existing
>> incomplete groups, or put them into new groups.
>>
>> What do you think????
>>
>> cheers,
>>
>> Winnie
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________
>> Dr. Winifred R. Poster
>> Brown School of Social Work
>> Washington University
>> Campus Box 1196
>> One Brookings Drive
>> St. Louis, MO 63130
>> www.winifredposter.com <http://www.winifredposter.com/>
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Begin forwarded message:
>>
>>
>> From: ??????? ??????? <[log in to unmask]>
>>
>> Date: January 8, 2011 4:48:58 AM CST
>>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>
>> Subject: Re: Questions, Process, and Getting Started
>>
>> Reply-To: The Partners Project
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>>
>>
>> hello, everyone,
>>
>> thinking about how we are going to group students:
>> I would say we should start from students naming the
>> topics of interest. Then when each faculty has a list (with three students
>> supporting each topic) we can make the join list on the website to who is
>> interested in what and how we can group them.
>> As long as HSE is making a joint course with the Mason
>> University I presume some our goroups will be joint, but I would not want to
>> limit the students and would let them choose the topic first
>>
>> What do you think about this?
>>
>> Natasha
>>
>> Fri, 7 Jan 2011 17:33:42 +0000 ?????? ?? Rodney Coates
>> <[log in to unmask]>:
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks Winifred and Bridget: The questions you
>> raise are important. Below I
>>
>>
>> offer some suggestions, but also ask that
>> others chime in. The questions:
>>
>>
>> More questions for the group: 1. About
>> the discussions / blogs:
>>
>>
>> Thanks Bridget, I'm totally with you! My class
>> will also be discussing:
>>
>>
>> environment; food and water; sexual / GLBT
>> rights; racial apartheid; human
>>
>>
>> rights activism. Rodney: should we just add
>> new "Discussion" groups for each
>>
>>
>> of these topics? And how about adding
>> discussions for the wonderful topics
>>
>>
>> that are in the syllabus (under "blog posts"):
>> defining globalization, social
>>
>>
>> justice, and human rights. (Maybe you've
>> already started to do this?) Yes, I
>>
>>
>> am setting up Discussions (under Forums) for
>> each of these as categories.
>>
>>
>> Please go to the Forums tab on our NING page,
>> then look to the right of the
>>
>>
>> window that opens up, you will see a pull down
>> tab for Discussions, and
>>
>>
>> Categories. Pull down tab for Categories.
>> There you will see each of the
>>
>>
>> topics as identified as Blogs on our Syllabus.
>> I have only made Categories
>>
>>
>> for the first set of topics for our syllabus
>> (i.e. Globalization, Social
>>
>>
>> Justice and Human rights). Under each Category,
>> please create a discussion
>>
>>
>> link for your institution. I have already
>> created one for Miami Students.
>>
>>
>> This will allow us to track discussions by
>> content area and by Institution.
>>
>>
>> Students can then post responses to a specific
>> discussion area and specific
>>
>>
>> institution. This allows also for
>> accountability. 2. As for the student
>>
>>
>> accountability issue, it would be great if
>> there was some feature on Ning that
>>
>>
>> would let faculty see all the posts for a given
>> student. If that's not
>>
>>
>> possible, I was thinking I might ask my
>> students to print out their posts and
>>
>>
>> comments each week and turn them in. Yes, you
>> can see the threads, but this
>>
>>
>> may be a bit tedious. There is no central way
>> to access all students threads,
>>
>>
>> but you can click on the student members name
>> and get a listing of all their
>>
>>
>> postings (I am not sure if this requires
>> administrator's privileges, if so,
>>
>>
>> let me know and I will designate this for each
>> Partner.)
>>
>>
>> 3. Can I belabor the point about organizing
>> the projects some more? (Sorry
>>
>>
>> to be a pest, but I'm not getting how this will
>> work, and my course starts
>>
>>
>> soon so I need to be able to explain it to my
>> students!) Rodney, how should
>>
>>
>> we assign students to teams? Is this something
>> you wanted to do yourself? Or
>>
>>
>> should we ask for a volunteer? It seems like
>> this is a task that needs to be
>>
>>
>> centralized somehow. If we are doing this
>> top-down approach, can I suggest
>>
>>
>> that we start it soon? This is critical. No
>> I did not want to do this
>>
>>
>> myself. I suggest that we ask for a volunteer
>> to make sure that it gets
>>
>>
>> done. We can use the levels of Participation
>> spread sheet to first identify
>>
>>
>> faculty. Then we can set up a group for each
>> set -case studies and service
>>
>>
>> learning which includes each set of Partners.
>> Then they can choose a
>>
>>
>> coordinator or a process which will streamline
>> this process. Or, are
>>
>>
>> faculty already linking up with other schools
>> on their own? I couldn't tell
>>
>>
>> if this was going on in the comments ....
>> I'm thinking that given the
>>
>>
>> extreme fluidity of this context (varying start
>> and stop dates for courses,
>>
>>
>> uncertain final enrollments for courses, etc.),
>> it might make more sense to
>>
>>
>> set up groups online, and let students join as
>> they become members. For
>>
>>
>> instance, we could start a thread for "case
>> study projects" and students can
>>
>>
>> propose a topic -- as soon as two other
>> students join, the group would be on
>>
>>
>> its way. Better ideas welcome!!!! Yes..see
>> above. 4. What is the
>>
>>
>> "huddle workspace" on the webpage?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Huddle workspace on the webpage allows you to
>> upload documents that can be
>>
>>
>> shared with other members as you choose. I
>> think that each partner can set up
>>
>>
>> such a workspace, but this is something I just
>> discovered, and am not sure how
>>
>>
>> much total space we can have. Right now it is
>> 100 megs. I think Bridget set
>>
>>
>> up one for her institution, and it has another
>> 100 mgs. Check it out, it is
>>
>>
>> really cool. It's like a digital drop box. I
>> imagine students can use this,
>>
>>
>> or other online sites (like google docs) to
>> help organize their group
>>
>>
>> projects.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> winnie
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> thanks
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Rodney c..
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Sent from my BlackBerry device from Cincinnati
>> Bell
>>
>>
>> Wireless
>>
>
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