Friday, September 28, 2012

Demonstration Speech Wrap-Up and Reminders

Hello Fabulous Folks,

Great job on your speeches overall last night.  Please do not be dismayed if you earned less than you had hoped - this was the first major speaking assignment and it was worth 10% of your grade.  That means that if you earned a 85/100 (or a B), you only missed 15 points out of a class total of 1,000.  This is great news because you can vastly improve your grade by doing just a few small things, which I noted on the grading sheet I handed out to you last night.

Here are some reminders from our meeting last night:
1). Informative Speech Topics have already been chosen (if you missed class, you'll need to email me immediately with your informative speech topic).

2). The informative speech will be a 4min 30sec - 5min 30sec speech.  The assignment sheet notes a 5-6 minute speech, but we have shortened that time to allow for all students to present in a timely manner.

3). A powerpoint presentation is required for the Informative Speech.  The powerpoint presentation is due NO LATER than Monday, October 22nd @ 11:59pm.  This means that you should email me your powerpoint presentation prior to this date/time.  As a reminder, you should include no more than 8 slides.

4). Self-Evaluation #1 is due by Sunday, September 30th @ 11:59pm.  You should post your self-evaluation to your blog, and it should be in essay format.  Follow the assignment sheet I handed out last night.

Let me know if any questions arise.
:)
TBP

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Grades have been updated in BB

Hello Fabulous Students,

I have entered grade into BB for the following items:

Discussion Week of Sept. 10-16

Discussion Week of Sept. 17-23 

As a reminder, it is your responsibility to check your grades often (at least once a week), and email me if you have any questions.

Have a great day everyone!
:)
The Blogging Prof.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Week of September 24-30

Hello Folks!

Here is what is listed on the Participation Page from BB for this week. The schedule for the entire semester, and the discussion questions for the entire semester are listed on the Schedule and Participation Pages, respectively. In case you do not want to wait for the "Monday Post", you are more than welcome to get started by looking at those two pages on BB.

Due this week:
*Mandatory Meeting, Thursday,September 27th @ 6:30pm - 9:35pm. W108.  We will perform our Demonstration Speeches, and prepare for the Informative Speeches.
*Review for Midterm:  The midterm will be next week, and will cover chapters 1-8.  Please review your course text.
*Self-Evaluation:  We'll chat about this in class on Thursday.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Week of Sept. 17 - 23

Hello Folks!

Here is what is listed on the Participation Page from BB for this week. The schedule for the entire semester, and the discussion questions for the entire semester are listed on the Schedule and Participation Pages, respectively. In case you do not want to wait for the "Monday Post", you are more than welcome to get started by looking at those two pages on BB.

Due this week:
*Read Chapter 8 - Organizing and Outlining Your Ideas
*Read Chapter 7 - Supporting Your Ideas
*Watch all Speech Buddy Videos associated with Chapters 7 & 8
*Participate in the discussion (see questions below)
*Face-2-face meeting:  Your Demonstration Speeches and Outlines are due in class when we meet on September 27th @ 6:30pm in W-108.


Discussion Questions:
Answer one question in its entirety in each of your three separate posts, at least 12 hours apart. Please make sure you are creating a NEW POST for each question on your blog. You MUST WAIT at least 12 hours from the first post in order to create a second post. The same is true for the second and third post. I will record dates and time of your posts, so make sure they are at least 12 hours apart. EACH POST MUST BE 150 WORDS OR MORE. Each post is worth a maximum of 5 points.

1). In regards to the following Speech Buddy videos, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1 and 8.2:  What did you learn that could be helpful in your speech?

2). When do you find that giving facts and statistics are most effective in a speech?  When are giving facts and statistics not as effective?

3). Pick one concept from the reading this week and discuss it in detail.

Comments - Remember to post ONE comment ON THREE DIFFERENT BLOGS between 12:01am on Monday and 11:59pm on Sunday. This means that you will log onto MY BLOG at: http://sierracomm001.blogspot.com/  to see a list of your colleagues blogs. Click on those blogs, read what was posted for this week and respond. You need to make sure you are responding to only what was discussed THIS WEEK (starting Monday and ending Sunday of the current week). Comments posted to blogs that were NOT within this week will not be counted for points. Each comment must be a minimum of 100 words and is worth a maximum of 3 points.

Note about comments: When you leave a comment on another blog, make sure you are logged into your blogspot account. In other words, you will need to make sure your "Display Name/Alias Name" shows up on the blog you are commenting on. I record the locations, dates and times of your comments. Please keep record of your posts and comments in case questions arise about where comments are located.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Grades have been updated in Blackboard

Hello Fabulous Students,

I have entered grade into BB for the following items:

Discussion Week of Sept3-9

I normally will not email you individually regarding your grades.  It is your responsibility to check your grades often (at least once a week), and email me if you have any questions.

Have a great day everyone!
:)
The Blogging Prof.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Week of September 10-16

Hello Folks!

Here is what is listed on the Participation Page from BB for this week. The schedule for the entire semester, and the discussion questions for the entire semester are listed on the Schedule and Participation Pages, respectively. In case you do not want to wait for the "Monday Post", you are more than welcome to get started by looking at those two pages on BB.

Due this week:
*Read Chapter 5 - Adapting to Your Audience
*Watch all Chapter 5 Speech Buddy Videos
*Participate in the discussion (see questions below)
*Start researching your Demonstration Speech Topic (reminder, you need at least 4 credible sources to inform your speech).  Outlines will be due in class on Sep. 27th when we meet to present our Demonstration Speeches.


Discussion Questions:
Answer one question in its entirety in each of your three separate posts, at least 12 hours apart. Please make sure you are creating a NEW POST for each question on your blog. You MUST WAIT at least 12 hours from the first post in order to create a second post. The same is true for the second and third post. I will record dates and time of your posts, so make sure they are at least 12 hours apart. EACH POST MUST BE 150 WORDS OR MORE. Each post is worth a maximum of 5 points.

1). Speech Buddy:  Review Drinking and Light Pollution Videos on the Speech Buddy website in accordance with Chapter 5.  Respond to each video.  What did the speaker to well?  What can you learn from watching these videos?

2). Discuss the importance of audience analysis and audience adaptation in the speech development process.  Also discuss how you plan on using audience analysis in your speech. 

3). Pick one concept from the reading this week and discuss it in detail.


Comments - Remember to post ONE comment ON THREE DIFFERENT BLOGS between 12:01am on Monday and 11:59pm on Sunday. This means that you will log onto MY BLOG at: http://sierracomm001.blogspot.com/  to see a list of your colleagues blogs. Click on those blogs, read what was posted for this week and respond. You need to make sure you are responding to only what was discussed THIS WEEK (starting Monday and ending Sunday of the current week). Comments posted to blogs that were NOT within this week will not be counted for points. Each comment must be a minimum of 100 words and is worth a maximum of 3 points.

Note about comments: When you leave a comment on another blog, make sure you are logged into your blogspot account. In other words, you will need to make sure your "Display Name/Alias Name" shows up on the blog you are commenting on. I record the locations, dates and times of your comments. Please keep record of your posts and comments in case questions arise about where comments are located.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Grades have been updated in Blackboard

Hello Fabulous Students,

I have entered grade into D2L for the following items:

Created Blog - this means that you created and sent me your information by the due date.  If you have received no credit for this item it is because you did not send me your information by the deadline.

Culture Speech - this is the speech we performed last night.

Discussion Week of Aug 27 - Sept. 2 - This will be entered by tomorrow night at the latest.  Check back for an update.

I normally will not email you individually regarding your grades.  It is your responsibility to check your grades often (at least once a week), and email me if you have any questions.

Have a great day everyone!
:)
The Blogging Prof.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Mandatory Meeting Tonight - 9/6

Hello Brilliant Speakers,

As you know, there is a mandatory meeting tonight in room W108 @ 6:30pm.  Please bring the following items with you for our meeting:

1). Culture planner (typed - I do not accept handwritten work)
2). Notecard - 1 notecard may be used during your speech
3). Visual Aid - make sure it's large enough for the whole class to see
4). Demonstration Speech Assignment sheet - bring with you to class so we can discuss it
5). 3 possible topics for the Demonstration Speech assignment

Be sure that you are ON TIME for the meeting.

See you all at 6:30pm sharp!!!

:)
The Blogging Prof.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Culture Speech Reminders

Hello Class,

As you know, this week we will meet to present our Culture Speeches.  Per the assignment sheet, you should prepare a 2-3 minute speech based on what we discussed during our first face-to-face class session.  Here are somethings to keep in mind for the coming speech:

1). The speech should end within 2-3 minutes.
2). The Culture Speech Planner (outline) should be typed.  I do not accept handwritten work.
3). You should follow the Planner (or outline) closely as I mentioned in class.  This means that you should have a full paragraph introduction, 1 sentence for main point #1, 1 sentence for main point #2, 1 sentence for main point #3, and a full paragraph conclusion.
4). You should utilize the concepts Attention Getter and Effective Closing (or effective last sentence).
5). 1 (one) notecard may be used.  No more than one (1) notecard.
6). A visual aid must be brought into class to enhance one of your speech points. (Please do not wear a visual aid).
7). Practice your speech at least 7 times before you come to class.  Get feedback from another person if possible.


As a reminder, you should have already reviewed the Demonstration Speech assignment.  Please bring at least 3 ideas for your Demonstration Speech, as I do not allow repetitive topics. 

See you all soon,
The Blogging Prof.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Week of September 3 - 9

Hello Folks!

Here is what is listed on the Participation Page from BB for this week. The schedule for the entire semester, and the discussion questions for the entire semester are listed on the Schedule and Participation Pages, respectively. In case you do not want to wait for the "Monday Post", you are more than welcome to get started by looking at those two pages on BB.

Due this week:
*Read Chapter 6 - Researching Your Speech
*Participate in the discussion (see questions below)
*MANDATORY MEETING:  The Culture Speech will be due on Sept 6th @ 6:30pm in W108. I will post a bit about the speech early in the week, so look out for a post about the coming speech.
*Review the Demonstration Speech assignment.  We will discuss this assignment in class tonight.


Discussion Questions:
Answer one question in its entirety in each of your three separate posts, at least 12 hours apart. Please make sure you are creating a NEW POST for each question on your blog. You MUST WAIT at least 12 hours from the first post in order to create a second post. The same is true for the second and third post. I will record dates and time of your posts, so make sure they are at least 12 hours apart. EACH POST MUST BE 150 WORDS OR MORE. Each post is worth a maximum of 5 points.

1). What experience do you have with conducting research interviews?  What went well?  What needed improvement?  Share your advice with your class members.

2). Watch all Speech Buddy videos that are related to Chapter 6.  Respond to the videos.   What did you learn that was helpful? What information from these videos will you use in the preparation process for your speeches in this course?

3). Pick one concept from the reading this week and discuss it in detail.

Comments - Remember to post ONE comment ON THREE DIFFERENT BLOGS between 12:01am on Monday and 11:59pm on Sunday. This means that you will log onto MY BLOG at: http://sierracomm001.blogspot.com/  to see a list of your colleagues blogs. Click on those blogs, read what was posted for this week and respond. You need to make sure you are responding to only what was discussed THIS WEEK (starting Monday and ending Sunday of the current week). Comments posted to blogs that were NOT within this week will not be counted for points. Each comment must be a minimum of 100 words and is worth a maximum of 3 points.

Note about comments: When you leave a comment on another blog, make sure you are logged into your blogspot account. In other words, you will need to make sure your "Display Name/Alias Name" shows up on the blog you are commenting on. I record the locations, dates and times of your comments. Please keep record of your posts and comments in case questions arise about where comments are located.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Trouble Commenting?

Hello Folks,

IMPORTANT NOTE:  If you comment on a blog post, you should always reload the webpage (or return later) to see if you can see your comments published.  If you cannot see your comments published on the other students blog post I cannot see your comments to give you points for them.   You should always keep track of your posts and comments by using the "Track Posts and Comments" sheet that is uploaded to BB under "Getting Started".  However, it is your responsibility to make sure that your posts are published correctly.  99 times out of 100, comments that are not posted correctly is user error.

If you have trouble commenting on posts, please follow these directions:

1). Make sure you are using Firefox as your web-browser (download HERE)
2). Open up Firefox as your web-browser and log into your blog.
3). Open a new tab in the web-browser and link to my blog, and start reading other students blogs (student blog tab is at the top).  Once you have found a blog you want to comment on, click "comment" below the post.
4). Type in your comment and then click on the drop down menu where it says "Comment As".
5). Choose "Google Account"
6). Since you are already logged into your blog in one of the open tabs, you should have no problem seeing your comment.

You can certainly experiment by leaving a message on one of my blog posts if you'd like.
:)
The Blogging Prof.

How to Contact Your Instructor

Hello Folks!

As you are getting established in the class, I will direct you to a few things. The first being how you contact me. If you haven't already, please review the entire syllabus. The syllabus can be downloaded from BB. Please download the syllabus and read it thoroughly.

You can contact me a few ways:

1). I normally hold office hours on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 10:00am to 11:00am. You can contact me in 'real time' through Yahoo Messenger. See photo below for an example of where to find my listed office hours:


2). During office hours I am readily available through email. I check my email often during office hours, because hey, I'm on my computer anyway, right? :)

3). Appointment: We can always chat over the phone by setting up an appointment ahead of time. I can also chat almost immediately during my office hours. Some students are intimidated by chatting with their professor over the phone. However, I assure you that I chat with students over the phone every semester, so it's common practice for me.