Science Fiction, Fall 2019/R3 Participation

From Gerald R. Lucas
Syllabus R1 R2 R3 L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8 L9 L10  
86228 humn 4460.01 Online Fall, 2019
Collaboration-build.jpg

This course is challenging for at least two reasons:

  1. it is fully online,[1] so student/instructor contact is minimized, and
  2. it depends on a writing platform that most students will be unfamiliar with.

Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for students to actively engage and participate in working consistently throughout the semester. Learning the skills necessary for the successful completion of this course (namely, writing for the screen and editing Wikipedia) will require daily practice. Consider this like learning a musical instrument or a new sport: You will be intimidated at first; you will be frustrated. The only way you will be able to gain confidence and ability is through consistent practice.[2]

Most students who fail this class are those who do not take this warning seriously and procrastinate. Please follow the weekly schedule (in the tabs L1–L10 above) and practice regularly.

Any assignment that is not part of the other two course requirements will count for participation, like discussion forums, training, writing/editing exercises.

Notes

  1. Part of the implications of this fact means that only through your weekly participation will I know that you’re still in the course. Any large gaps in your work could lead to a lower grade or class failure.
  2. Part of practicing is paying close attention to the conventions of Wikipedia and fixing errors in writing and coding when you make them. Most of the latter should be obvious; just leaving the error or letting someone else fix it will cost you points. You must proofread. Also, asking questions (particularly if something is unclear) is a good way to participate.