Whew! I just finished putting the last Pod on Blackboard. Each creation has been so much work, but I think it has all been worth it. After the problems I encountered in ENGL 222 last semester, and with creating my own online course being new to me, I knew that something had to change. After brainstorming with Daughter the Librarian, we came up with the Pod idea. I think it was successful..and I stress the "I think."
The idea was to give my students some freedom to select the authors and works they would enjoy and at the same time to give them a broad overview of American authors since 1865. Some students enjoy writing papers, others like discussion boards, and a few like to read and answer content questions as they go. Pronto sessions are fun and promote great discussion but finding a time that fits into everyone's schedules, in different regions, and from different time zones, is just hard. How can I require students to participate when they may be working or have other obligations during the pronto time? So the Pod idea seemed to be a great solution. Students can pick and choose authors/titles, work at their own pace, and participate in the activities that work best for them---as long as they meet the deadlines and accummulate the points needed. Using two-week and three-week time frames worked well too for some of the larger sections.
The problem for me was finding the time to put everything together. Often I had the ideas or the files or the handouts from previous classes, but everything had to be re-formatted for Blackboard. Plus the selections had be carefully chosen to include a variety of styles, ethnic groups, a blend of cultures, and genres. It was w.o.r.k. to create 8 pods of activities for the students. Two pods were for the midterm and semester projects, which were a little easier to create.
Now that The Joy Luck Club pod has made its appearance, I feel a weight lifted. The next time I teach ENGL 223 online, I will be ready. But knowing me, the Pods will not stay the same. There will be changes. Some selections will be deleted since very few people chose them to read. Others that I just didn't have time to work with will be added. I just learned that individual novels will not be on our textbook list as additional books, so adjustments will need to be made. No more Red Badge or Joy Luck Club for this semester or Scarlet Letter for ENGL 222.
The Last Pod...the end of the semester. Wow. So much work, but hasn't it been fun?
It has been a blast!! I love the pod idea, it's allowed me to customize the semester to best fit my time needs. Taking two lit classes this semester has been a lot of work and letting me pick and choose in this class has made life so much easier. Thank you for taking the time and the hard work to make this so nice for us students. I would and have recommended you as a prof several times so far and will continue to do so.
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