Technology

The role of technology played a huge part in this class, especially because it is all online based. Online learning is so much more self driven than learning in the classroom. With online learning, if you have a question it is your responsibility to get it figured out in advance by emailing an instructor, in class you usually have someone else that has the same question and raises their hand. It is really up to the student to do all of the assignments and turn them in, there is nobody really making sure that you are turning those in. You need to be structured and organized for online learning. Some benefits to taking English online versus in  the classroom, are that you are able to do it more on your time schedule, I work full time so online English works best for me to have time to accomplish work and school at the same time. Some challenges of taking English online is that I am usually someone that gets A's on my English paper, writing essays became a challenge for me with online, because communication is a little bit more different than in the classroom, and I have 4 other online classes, each require a lot of work because everything that would normally be accomplished in the classroom is assigned, plus other assignments. I thought that the best technology that was used this semester is the different ways to visually present topics. I think it is great because although organization of ideas is more difficult, you are able to connect more with the audience, and it is faster. Overall this was a great learning experience.

extra credit

Visual Presentation

My Reflection

This semester in English 102, I feel that I learned a lot of different ways to write some of these papers. Organization is key in writing a good essay, as well as knowing how to analyze. I think the most important thing that I learned about was how to analyze. I had always known what an analysis was, but really struggled with the concept. I also feel that analysis has been the hardest thing for me to grasp, unfortunately that was what most of the semester was focused on. I had a difficult time analyzing the readings. I could summarize them, but analyzing was different. With the analysis I had a difficult time organizing my thoughts into something that could reach the page requirement. I have had a difficult time with this semester, because I am not always able to devote much time each week due to my heavy work schedule. This semester I feel kind of down on myself about the struggles I have had. I take my grades very seriously, and when I see them decrease, it just breaks my heart. This English class has definitely challenged me, as well as taught me new forms of writing, and different types of books to read. I can not believe that the semester is over, and I am glad that I was able to learn so much in this class.

I will now be able to go through my other classes and take away some of the information I have learned here. We use analysis in many different ways, and it is nice to know the thought process of how to put it on paper. I also really liked how we had a couple of grammar tests, that helped me notice the mistakes I make when I go to write a paper. I also thought that the reading selection was interesting. I am usually a very happy person, and these essay topics as well as books that were assigned to read were all from the gothic era, and were rather depressing to me. Although the are beautiful and famous, they are just so dark and dreary that I have a difficult time really getting into them. I am kind of excited this semester is almost over with so that I can practice the skills learned, as well as devote more time to my work schedule, and not have to worry so much about school work. I hope that everyone had a great semester, and will have happy holidays. 

Reflection

This semester in English 102, I feel that I learned a lot of different ways to write some of these papers. Organization is key in writing a good essay, as well as knowing how to analyze. I think the most important thing that I learned about was how to analyze. I had always known what an analysis was, but really struggled with the concept. I also feel that analysis has been the hardest thing for me to grasp, unfortunately that was what most of the semester was focused on. I had a difficult time analyzing the readings. I could summarize them, but analyzing was different. With the analysis I had a difficult time organizing my thoughts into something that could reach the page requirement. I have had a difficult time with this semester, because I am not always able to devote much time each week due to my heavy work schedule. This semester I feel kind of down on myself about the struggles I have had. I take my grades very seriously, and when I see them decrease, it just breaks my heart. This English class has definitely challenged me, as well as taught me new forms of writing, and different types of books to read. I can not believe that the semester is over, and I am glad that I was able to learn so much in this class.