Bridget,
sounds like it is exactly what we need and I even don't understand why we initially though that groups from different universities should be of the same size! ))
Natasha
Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:59:15 -0500 письмо от "Costello, Bridget" <[log in to unmask]>:
> Regarding group size, we would also prefer to allow two or three students per
> institution -- for us, this simplifies the logistics of the service-learning
> projects. Can we leave it up to each institution to specify how many of their
> own students can participate in a group, and keep the master guidelines broad
> (for example, up to a maximum of three per institution, five or six per group,
> each group representing at least two institutions)? That way we still allow
> for student mixing and smaller groups, but can also accommodate institutions
> that may want or need to allow multiple students per group.
>
> Bridget
>
>
> Bridget McKenney Costello, Ph.D.
> Assistant Professor of Sociology, King's College
> 133 N. River St.
> Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
> [log in to unmask]
> (570)208-5900 ext. 5745
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Partners Project [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> ??????? ???????
> Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 1:42 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Clarification
>
> Morning everyone,
>
> it is quite uncomfortable to be on the the other side of the planet - I feel
> deprivd of the possibility to take take part in the conversation. )))
>
> I actually would like to claif some misanderstanfing between me and Winnie
> which occued following my bad english surely. I still think that we should
> have 2 grups from 2 different universities , 3 persons in each group (which
> maked it 3 X 2 = 6 persons in each group belonging to 2 universities) I hope I
> make it more clear now.
>
> My reasoning: english is not a native language for my students. For some of
> them it would be problematic to have an active interaction with the native
> speakers. To support them I plan to group them with people whose language
> skills would allow the whole group (of three persons) to develop and present
> the project in english.
>
> Let me know if this structure is ok for you all
>
> thanks Natasha
>
>
>
> Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:40:06 +0000 письмо от Winnie Poster
> <[log in to unmask]>:
>
> > 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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