Thursday, May 23, 2013

How To Start a Class and Earn a Good Grade

Afraid? Not I.

Obvious steps are often overlooked at the start of a class.

Create a folder on the computer (Windows) for each class being taken.

Save a copy of the syllabus in that folder. The syllabus is actually a contract, so the details matter.

Read the syllabus carefully and mark the assignment due dates on your paper or computer calendar. I prefer a computer calendar because the due dates pop up with the sound of a cracking whip. Maintain just one calendar - not two or three.

Obtain the textbook(s) immediately. They can often be obtained cheaply by knowing the ISBN number, which is the Social Security number for every single book, every single edition of it.

Start immediately on the course and mark the first week's requirements on your 21-segment planning sheet.

Do NOT work on the homework at the last minute, but start at once on any written assignment.

Procrastinators like me - start this way.
English folder - created.
Syllabus saved in folder - done.
Open up Word a file and name it - engwk1.
Copy and paste the explanation of the assignment onto the first page. Erase that when completed.
A good start would be creating a title and a rough outline of the work to be done. Save.

Late work will earn a zero. Note that in the syllabus. Plan ahead and there will be no zeros.

Assume that you be in each class on time, except for sickness and schedule conflicts. Poor attendance guarantees a poor grade. There is an official guideline for an automatic fail. Some have achieved that goal.

Do not bring your digital toys and play with them in class. I will confiscate them for the semester if that happens, and that will be in each syllabus.

Take plenty of careful notes in class, using the original Notebook - the paper kind. Some people type and save their notes because it helps them remember.

"Taking notes means never having to say - I'm sorry - when is that due?" (Love Story) Or - "Are you kidding me, that was due?"

Participation makes a class much more interesting. Be prepared to ask and answer questions. Derailing a class is an old trick, one which Boomers practiced with skill. So beware of scams, because we invented half of them.

We use Populi, an excellent online learning platform. You are required to open it up regularly for all messages, grade reports, assignments, and additional directions.


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