1/25: Welcome to ENGL 201W
This course introduces you to collaborative learning practices in higher education and academic publishing. You will reflect on your own learning and literacy histories to understand how your past experiences shape your current writing practices. In addition to reading examples of collaborative authorship, we will practice collaborative authorship in our classroom community. You should expect to write individually and in groups on multiple platforms using a range of tools (pen, paper, word-processing platforms, websites, AI, etc.).
Icebreaker
We’ll start the day with a collaborative icebreaker, The Marshmallow Challenge! In the spirit of collaboration, this icebreaker asks you to work together toward a common task, one that may be somewhat disorienting. We’ll take time after to reflect on what you did, how you did it, and what you learned about collaboration. I also hope you have fun in the process!
Get in small groups with the following materials:
- 20 spaghetti sticks
- 1 marshmallow
- 1 yard tape
- 1 yard string
Your group’s goal is to build a structure that can support the weight of your marshmallow in 15 minutes.
Questions for Reflection
- How did you plan your build? Manage your time? Divide labor?
- Describe any other ways you worked together.
- How is this related to other collaborative work you’ve done in your life?
You will post your response to these questions as Blog Post 1 to your new course site!
Angelina, Mariana, Rebecca, Rukhsar
Fatima, Jaqelyn, Mitchie
Diana, Katherine,Peter
HOMEWORK
You will deliver all coursework to me via a unique site that you create. Start by going to WordPress.com, create an account, and try to set-up a FREE site. If you succeed, email me your new web address at [email protected]. Practice creating a blog post by posting your in-class work to your new website. Likewise, if you have questions about this process, or the course in general, email me.
3 Comments
Rajeeve ramdat
Good evening sorry for the late post I am Rajeev Ramdat I was absent for the last class Consider assigning roles based on expertise, creating a quick plan, and allocating time for each phase of construction. Efficiently divide tasks like cutting and taping, ensuring everyone contributes. open communication to share ideas and address challenges promptly. Reflect on how effective planning, time management, and collaboration impact the success of your team. Additionally, explore alternative strategies during the challenge, adapting to unforeseen obstacles. Observe how well your team adjusts and problem-solves together. Evaluate the dynamics of your collaboration – did everyone have a chance to contribute ideas? Reflect on the balance between individual creativity and group cohesion in achieving the common goal. These insights can provide valuable lessons for future collaborative endeavors, both within this icebreaker and in broader contexts.
Rajeeve ramdat
Consider assigning roles based on expertise, creating a quick plan, and allocating time for each phase of construction. Efficiently divide tasks like cutting and taping, ensuring everyone contributes. open communication to share ideas and address challenges promptly. Reflect on how effective planning, time management, and collaboration impact the success of your team. Additionally, explore alternative strategies during the challenge, adapting to unforeseen obstacles. Observe how well your team adjusts and problem-solves together. Evaluate the dynamics of your collaboration – did everyone have a chance to contribute ideas? Reflect on the balance between individual creativity and group cohesion in achieving the common goal. These insights can provide valuable lessons for future collaborative endeavors, both within this icebreaker and in broader contexts.
Rajeev
I plan my build where each group contributed to building the marshmallow challenge and was able to understand what errors did we make. I mange my time by having a timer on and was able to track down each step how long it would take. I divided the work by seeing what they were capable of doing by everyone different abilities. A next way we work together is that if we didn’t understand something we help each other out. It is related to other group work because we work together and build team work and learn to trust each other