Job Discussion Forums

[gaijinalways]

I'm still contemplating the group poster presentations I plan to have students do this year. I actually plan to have classes rotate semesters so that I will have students working on essays in one semester, and doing group poster presentations in the other. A little more work for me to arrange, but I also consider it will give me the opportunity to improve both activities for the second semesters in each course.

I've been giving some thought to what kinds of activities and handouts I'll be giving to students. I have been going through some writing books that I have, as well as looking at general presentation books that I have (I teach a regular presentations course as well as a public speaking class, did a lot of the latter last year, students doing individual public speeches, phew after you've listened to about 250 or so, you get the idea).

For the writing courses, I'm considering what to focus on. I know some of it will be at the sentence level as well as at the paragraph level. I was just reading a section on tips for helping with spelling, and wondering how useful that would be to cover (in relation to other things) as I do find some of my students are dreadful spellers (haven't learned to use a spellchecker or a dictionary).

So I am considering covering some basics on what full sentences normally would have structurally, spelling, and summaries. I will also go over some basics for paragraphing as well, especially writing opening sentences, and some different types of essays. I only plan to have them write two essays a term (3 drafts each). Some of it is a time element, both for material I wish to cover as well as the number of essays I have time to correct.

The poster sessions might be similar except that they of course include visual elements that students need to make to accompany their writing. Need to give some more thought as to those classes, as I haven't done this kind of project in some timえ, and only as a individual projects.

I was wondering if anyone had any other good suggestions for things I might cover or activities I might do for either of these classes. Have some general ideas, but nothing concrete as yet as I still have another week or so to plan these things out.

Thanx in advance,

GA

[gaijinalways]

I'm going to add a bit for the poster presentation classes. Basically, I want to cover some aspects of presenting and writing, including checking spelling, more work on the sentence level (complete sentences, etc.), and also some work on using pictures related to the topic, education. I'm thinking perhaps for groups of 3-4 students they should produce 2-4 A3 sized sheets (for the pictures more than anything, though I suppose B4 might work). Also students will have to make worksheets, so they will need to work on question making as well.

Here is a link to some glogster posters, useful for making poster blogs

http://emofreak29.glogster.com/Animal-cruelty-/

http://theresia.glogster.com/glog-470/

http://elle08.glogster.com/Diversity/

http://tickat.glogster.com/Rennaissance/

http://swirl.glogster.com/Drinking-and-Driving/




Any suggestions?

[gaijinalways]

Good link to some suggestions

http://jalt.org/pansig/2005/HTML/Bayne.htm