Discussion instructions and Requirements
These instructions apply to ALL discussion lessons. For every discussion, you should always follow these instructions. Be aware that specific course discussion requirements might override or expand upon these guidelines.
Important: I strongly recommend composing and typing your discussion responses in Microsoft Word (or other word document program). This way, you have a copy on file and saved to your computer.
In the education classes, discussions are VERY important and are worth 100 points each (13 discussion lessons). Every discussion lesson includes articles to read, videos to watch, etc. Every discussion lesson contains questions to answer to the best of your ability. Finally, every lesson has a research component (questions) that YOU decide upon, research and write about in your discussion lesson response. In addition, you “vote” on the “best” peer posting.
In every document that you compose for each discussion lesson, always include the discussion questions and your research question. Below each question, compose your response. Include a "Summary" paragraph as the after the last lesson question and use your research as the last item in your posting.
A “sequence of events” for each discussion lesson might look like this:
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Read the discussion instructions
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Read or view all of the content associated with the lesson
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Come up with your research question for the lesson
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Do the research and record your thoughts (must have at least one reference included)
Start your word document.
Your Word document sequence should look like this:
Lesson Question 1
Your response (at least one paragraph)
Lesson Question 2
Your response (at least one paragraph)
(etc., etc.)
Your personal Summary (at least one full paragraph) of the discussion lesson content (which is usually the most important!)
Your research component involves the items listed below: (Include the headings that are in bold face!!!)
Your research question - YOU decide on the research question. It should be related to the discussion topic.
Your reference (somewhere in the document) - This must be a valid and reliable reference, an article, research paper, etc. It is NOT what your friend told you, what you heard, etc.
An analysis of your research (at least 2 full paragraphs (minimum) but not more than 4 full paragraphs). In other words, tell me and the other students in the class what your research stated (not your opinion) - in 2 FULL paragraphs. If this is a hybrid class, you are required to print out or take notes from your research and bring to class so that you can participate in a discussion. You are graded on the quality of your research and your analysis. You can receive up to 40 points for the research. If your research is 4 full paragraphs, you should receive 40 points (Considered to be "A" level work). If you type the minimun 2 paragraphs, you will not receive the full 40 points (Considered to be "B" level work). Do NOT copy words from your research and post as the analysis! The analysis must be in YOUR words!
A research Summary - This is at least one full paragraph. In the summary, I would like to know if you agree or disagree with your research. Of course, this could (unlike above) be construed an opinion of sorts, but you need to tell me WHY you agree or disagree with the research.
NOTE: All lesson discussions are due by the date in the assignment sheet and must be posted by midnight. You must reply to at least one peer, unless otherwise noted in the specific lesson.
When you have finished in Word, log into GeorgiaView (D2L). Go back to your still open Word document and “copy” all of your text. Then, navigate to your assigned discussion area, create (compose) a new message and "paste" your text into the discussion message area. Make sure that you "preview" your message BEFORE posting the message. This is to make sure that your formatting is correct and your responses do not "run together". You can add spaces as required. Now, "post" the message.
Post comprehensive paragraphs of any findings, perceptions, insights, or questions from your research or readings that you found particularly interesting, surprising, or controversial. Write a descriptive subject line that will help peers differentiate postings. You should ask yourself these questions:
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What did you find the most interesting? Why?
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Do you agree or disagree with the author of the reading(s)? Why or why not?
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Describe one or two things you learned: For example, what do you now think about this _________concept or issue? How is that different from what you thought before? How do you plan to use what you have learned?
Lesson 3B: He's Just So Weird
Lesson 3: Part B: He’s just so weird.
Question 1: The author uses a strong metaphor, describing high school students as "wild beasts roaming the plains," hunting each other. How would you describe your high school experience?
I was a shy, introvert most of the time. When I was with my friends, I was kind of kooky. I was the smart girl with all the guys for friends but no boyfriend. I got picked on some but that was mostly in elementary school. I had too much going on my life to worry about gossip and junk. I worked fulltime, was in several after school activities, and kept my grades at honors level.
Question 2: The author says she has "been a victim of harsh words and stinging insults." Why do you think she would help inflict the same kind of harm on another person? Why would the author feel worse as the "hunter" instead of the "hunted"?
It happens a lot. The bullied becomes the bully. The victim becomes the victimizer. Isn’t it better to be the one hurting someone else than getting hurt yourself? But then you realize what you have done. You have become the beast you hated most, the one thing that haunted your nightmares.
Question 3: Name the superficial reasons that caused the clique to socially isolate Ethan. Are the reasons fair? Is there something Ethan could have done differently?
OMG! Ethan had long, greasy hair and ZITS! They could not be seen with someone like that. There goes their social standing. Unfortunately this is not fair. Ethan cannot help how the gods made him at this age. He may become a fashion model later, but right now he is a social wreck.
Question 4: Have you ever witnessed a classmate or peer publicly rejected? How did the person react? How did you react?
Yes. Imagine 20 years after graduation. You would think these people would have grown up by now. NOT! One of my friends at our class reunion was outed as being gay. Big deal. We all knew it. But some jock with no life and his cheerleader wife (who is fat now and a drunk) thought to make a big deal out of it. But my friend kept his cool and stayed calm and classy. I wanted to go take my spiked heel and knock him in the head.
Question 5: Why do you think the "Huggy Bears" felt sad after the prank? Why didn't they discuss what happened?
They hopefully realized how stupid their prank was and how much it hurt Ethan. They were all ashamed of themselves. They had lost a good friend all because of something superficial. If they had discussed it, they would have realized even more how wrong it was.
Question 6: Do you think the incident led to Ethan's difficulties with social anxiety and depression?
If Ethan already was genetically inclined to these disorders, then this stunt could have brought them on early. It could even magnify their harm on Ethan. The incident definitely did not help in any way. Ethan had thought he had friends. Then they betrayed him. That would cause damage in anyone.
Question 7: When someone is hurt as badly as Ethan, is it important to apologize or to try to make amends? What makes an apology meaningful?
Of course it is important to apologize. And it had better come from deep inside your heart and soul. You should tell them how stupid you were to do whatever you did. You need to let them know you have been thinking about the reason you would do something so bad and explain your conclusion.
Summary
Too tall, too short, too fat, too skinny, too smart, too dumb … there will always be something someone can find “wrong” with you if you let them. You have to love yourself for all your faults. You will still get hurt. But it’s easier to handle the emotions afterwards. Remember the rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Well, let me tell you, words do hurt. So throw stones, they hurt more! >;)