What My Students Learned This Semester

Taking inspiration from Jo(e), I passed out index cards and asked my students to write down one thing they learned in class this semester.  These are the anonymous responses I received in the order in which I received them.

I learned how to improve my writing skills.  Having to write an essay in under 800 words was a learning experience.  I also learned how to do a lot of work without killing myself of collapsing under the pressure.

I learned corn is in EVERYTHING and Omnivore's Dilemma is a terrible book.

I learned how to back up my claims better with good evidence.

I learned sooo much about the food industry because of reading Omnivore's Dilemma.  I also learned better writing techniques.  The papers we did in this class were actually interesting.  I like the freedom of putting a little bit of our own "umph" into our papers.

I learned how to develop a good and coherent thesis statement starting with although.

I learned that it is okay to have a working thesis and that it's okay to not have your thesis in the first paragraph!

I learned how to use Audacity.

Mostly the Audacity part of the class was entertaining and probably actually used in life.  Also, that I never want to read that much about corn AGAIN!

I learned how to use technology such as wikis and podcasts that I would never take the time to learn to use on my own.  I also learned that corn is BAD!!

How to write a better paper.  How to make my papers flow better.  A lot out of Writing Analytically.

I think the one thing I will take away from this class that I will value the most is the different types of sentences.  I am still very novice when it comes to using commas, but who knows, I may get better.  I also learned goat eyes are a delicacy.

I learned that it's not about the quantity of pages you have for a paper as long as you're clear and get your point across.

Not to be corny, but I learned about corn.  But seriously, twenty years from now, I will remember the food facts.  It was really interesting and really makes people think.

I learned that not procrastinating on my work really pays off.

I learned how to get A LOT of work done in a short period of time without pulling my hair out!! :)

The one thing I learned from this class was that writing about food is a lot harder than it sounds.

I learned how to properly format the front page of an essay in MLA format.  I can't believe I've been doing it wrong for so long without being told.

Links for Class on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 (Podcast Help)

As you start thinking about your podcast, know that you can download Audacity on your own computers and find help for it here. To convert your podcast to an .mp3, you will need the Lame Encoder.  The best way to learn is by diving in and doing it. Practice, and don't wait until the last minute. Feel free to ask questions, and I'll do my best to find answers.

You can listen to a podcast I created for another class.  The course was on the general topic of pain.

For podcasts related to food, listen to these samples:  Come to My Table,  Duck Blind Lessons, There is No Such Thing as Too Much Barbecue, Baking By Senses and Memories, and Just Like Pastrami.  Though many of these podcasts are personal, you do not have to get personal.  You can get overtly political and talk about your beliefs in those areas.  Or you can gather people together to talk about an issue and edit it together into something coherent.  If you have any confusion, run your ideas by me.

Action List for the Remainder of the Semester

• There will be no official class meeting on Thursday, December 2; I will be in A109 for anyone who wants to work on the Class Wiki or the Podcast.
• Remember that all edits to the Class Wiki must be complete by noon EST on Friday, December 3, 2010; there should be no late edits for any reason.
• Email your Self-Assessment Letter to me by noon EST on Friday, December 3, 2010; I will not accept late letters for any reason.
• There will be no official class meeting on Tuesday, December 7, 2010; I will be in A109 for anyone who wants to work on the Podcast.
• Upload your Podcast to the appropriate page of the Class Wiki by 3:30 PM on Thursday, December 9, 2010, so we can listen to them during class; I will not accept late podcasts for any reason.

Action List for Tuesday, November 30, 2010

• Email the Revision Portfolio to me anytime after class today until 5:00 PM EST on Tuesday, November 23, 2010; I will not accept late portfolios for any reason.
• Start making edits to the class wiki.
• Remember that I will be introducing your final project on the day we return after Thanksgiving.

Action List for Thursday, November 18, 2010

• Read WA, Chp. 18 (pgs. 287-304).
• Remember that DWA #15 (the last DWA of the semester) will be held during class.

Extended Office Hours

We're at the point where a lot is coming due, so I have extra office hours this week and next.  To guarantee a meeting, schedule a time in class or through email, or you can take a chance and drop in.  But I will be in my office at the following times.

• Tuesday, November 16 -- 11:00 to 12:00
• Wednesday, November 17 -- 11:45 to 1:15
• Thursday, November 18 -- 10:45 to 12:00
• Friday, November 19 -- 12:00 to 3:00
• Tuesday, November 23 -- 10:00 to 12:00 and 2:00 to 4:00

Action List for Tuesday, November 16, 2010

• Email the Letter to the Congressional Representative to me by noon EST on Friday, November 12, 2010.
• Read: WA, Chp. 17 (pgs. 179-92).
• Remember that DWA #14 will be held during class. 
• Continue adding to the class wiki (do not wait until the last minute or it may not be available to you).