College English Class

Engl 3930/5930 – BlogsAndWikis

at Bemidji State University (Spring 2004)

MC Morgan

http://ferret.bemidjistate.edu/~morgan/cgi-bin/blogsandwiki.pl?Entry_Point

Course Blog:

http://calstaging.bemidjistate.edu/morgan/blogsandwikis/

Pre-req is expository writing.

Oh, this is interesting. The recommended text is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

In the syllabus under Orientation, MC Morgan states, “Behind the course is one main idea: the technology we use to read and write influences how we read and write, and even what we read and write.” Is Morgan saying putting pen or pencil to paper is different than using MS Word, is different than using a blog (pick your tool), is different than writing content on a website? Hmm… I’ve noticed that when using pen and paper to journal write, I tend to write without editing. However, when using any electronic tool, I edit as I write. Then, if presenting a formal paper, print what I’ve written and revise multiple times, printing a new copy with each substantial revision. Finally, I’ll read through a printed copy one last time checking grammar and punctuation. However, for blog posts, I edit as I write and then give a cursury review, spell-check, and post.

Do I write about different stuff when I write electronically?

My paper journal at home is filled with thoughts and ideas about personal relationships, book or magazine prompted reflections, and some entries just to purge all the crap in my head that I don’t what to forget or want to write it out so I can forget it. I’ve also recently started keeping a notebook with a daily to do list. I’ve found that when I use my Palm to capture tasks, I forget to refer to it after the initial entry.

When I write electronically, either with word or with blog tool it’s different. I write with the knowledge that someone might read my writing when it’s saved as a computer file or posted to a blog. I write electronically about balance, time management, finances, and marketing content for my job. I’ve started blogging to capture parts of my research process.

I need to think about this more, because I’m not sure what, if anything, it’s indicative of yet.

Morgan’s grading is unlike anything I’ve seen in my previous classes.

Students can contract for 500-1000 points (C-A). That is, they’ll commit to doing at least that good and perhaps do better.

50% for project

50% for blog or wiki responses and comments.

The class doesn’t meet regularly.

Readings that I haven’t seen yet:

http://www.weblogkitchen.com/wiki.cgi?WeblogIssues

http://www.barclaybarrios.com/tsk/blog/academics.html