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LFB: Deliverables
I want you to know that you are responsible for completing the following deliverables this semester.
Engagement
Success in this course will require you to do more than appear in class twice weekly and answer an occasional question. In business, that is called just “meeting expectations,” the lowest level of achievement. I expect that all of my students are prepared to actively participate in our in-class and digital discussions since that is a crucial way to learn as much as possible. This course is about active, on-the-field engagement, not one focused primarily on lectures.
If we must meet remotely, please review the protocol necessary for all of our remote meetings before we meet. Please see your Outlook or Teams calendar for links to our Teams class meetings.
We will focus on assigned cases using the Socratic method to engage with and learn the course material. That will require you to complete the Before We Begin deliverables found in the Schedule. Assessment of your preparedness and engagement may include your performance on unscheduled content quizzes. Please review the Engagement Rubric in this site’s Engagement page of the Course Policies section. Review the Engagement section on this page of your course’s syllabus for more information.
GenAI Journal
You will build a journal that reflects your creative process throughout the DT&L experience. You will create an Adobe Express web page and then share the page with me via Teams DM. Post update entries and republish the site throughout the semester. Journal entries should include thoughtfully incorporated multimedia content (text, images, audio, video) and the reflections described in your GenAI Journal.
Success Plan
Complete this deliverable by posting your plan to Teams’s #success plan and assessment channel.
Your first deliverable will be developing a plan describing the steps/actions you need to take that are necessary for success in this course. The end in mind of this effort is for you to provide the path/process that you choose to address the challenges and opportunities for growth and learning that this experience presents. It is also meant to define the template you will use in dealing with challenging situations, issues, and other significant confrontations throughout your personal and professional life. Your submission, in a minimum of 750 words, should address the suggestions for success described here. Remember that you are using a digital platform to complete this deliverable, so review my advice on writing on digital platforms. Never post a Word, Google Doc, or PDF.
Ideas Essay
Complete this deliverable by posting your plan to Teams’ #ideas essay channel.
Your next deliverable is a thought exercise. You will find several quotes in the Some Ideas section of the right sidebar of the SW Blog. You will choose one of those quotes and prepare an essay, with a maximum of 750 words, that discusses your perspective on the ideas raised by one of the quotes. Be sure to identify the quote you have chosen at the beginning of your essay. I will evaluate the clarity of your writing, spelling and grammar, your success in writing on a digital platform, articulation of the ideas raised by your chosen quote, and the quality and depth of analysis when assessing your essays. Remember that you are using a digital platform to complete this deliverable, so review my advice on writing on digital platforms. Never post a Word, Google Doc, or PDF.
Course Blog
Post your comments in the SW Blog that I maintain for my courses.
I post items of interest relevant to the material covered in my courses. The materials in the posts will be discussed over the semester in class and online. You are responsible for keeping current on the posts to the blog and providing comments. The submission schedule is included in the Schedule. My goal is to encourage an active discussion between and among all of my students related to the day’s events. And remember … it is a public blog … be sure that your comments comport with the etiquette requirements described in the Etiquette section of the Communication page. I will evaluate the following factors when I assess your blog comments:
- A thoughtful, substantive, and well-reasoned summary/response to the blog post you have chosen – approximately 350 words per comment and
- Your comments should be more than just regurgitating the article you have reviewed. I am not interested in reading your selected article’s “book report” version. I am, however, interested in comments that provide your insight into the relevance of the article in question and
- Evidence in your blog comments in that you have read and are specifically and thoughtfully responding to the points raised by the author and/or responding to someone’s prior comments on a post.
Please refer to the Schedule and calendar for details about the blog comments submission schedule. Please don’t be late … you know my policy on accepting late submissions!
Topic | Issue Discussions
Complete this deliverable by posting your contributions to the appropriate #TID channel on Blackboard.
You will engage in three topic/issue discussions (TID). Each TID will consist of two parts.
Part 1: Your Initial Response
In the first part of this deliverable, you will develop your initial response to the Topic/Issue Discussion (TID) based on the article, video, podcast, or question provided in the TID. Your task is to carefully review and respond to the material I’ve provided, presenting your informed perspective and opinions on the topic(s) or issue(s). This will be the foundation for your subsequent critique in Part 2 of the deliverable.
Step 1. Review the Assigned Material: Begin by thoroughly reviewing the materials provided in the TID. Take note of the key points, arguments, and questions raised in those materials.
Step 2. Conduct Additional Research: If the provided material requires additional context or if you want to strengthen your response with supporting evidence, conduct further research on the topic. Use reputable sources like scholarly articles, books, or websites to gather relevant information.
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Introduction: Begin with an introduction that provides context for the topic or issue. Clearly state the main question(s) or issue(s) raised in the provided material.
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Thesis Statement: Present a concise thesis statement outlining your stance on the topic or issue. This statement should guide your entire response.
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Supporting Arguments: Develop supporting arguments for your position. Draw from the provided material and any additional research you conducted. Use specific examples and evidence to bolster your claims.
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Counterarguments: Anticipate potential counterarguments to your position. Address these counterarguments and explain why your perspective remains valid despite differing viewpoints.
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Use of Hyperlinks: When referencing external sources to support your position, hyperlink to the additional materials. Do not provide traditional sourcing with separate source lists in MLA, APA, etc., format. This allows me and your peers to access and evaluate the sources you rely on.
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Conclusion: End your initial response with a well-rounded conclusion summarizing your main points and reaffirming your position on the topic or issue.
Step 4. Edit and Revise: Before submitting your initial response, review it for clarity, coherence, and grammar. Make sure your arguments are well-structured, and your writing is free from errors.
Step 5. Submission: Submit your initial response per the instructions provided in the TID. Be sure to adhere to any specific submission guidelines and deadlines. Ensure that your critique meets at least the minimum word count of 1,000 words and is correctly formatted with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Provide hyperlinks to any additional materials you reference in your critique. It is important to remember that if you just meet the minimum requirements, the result will be an average grade. Remember, this part of the assignment is your opportunity to showcase your understanding of the material and demonstrate critical thinking skills. Support your arguments with evidence and approach the discussion with an open mind. Your initial response will be the basis for the critique you will undertake in Part 2 of the assignment, where you will analyze and evaluate a classmate’s response to the same topic or issue.
Part 2: Critique of Another Student’s Initial Response
For this second part of the assignment, you will be tasked with critiquing the initial response of a fellow student. This critique aims to engage in thoughtful analysis, respectful disagreement, and constructive feedback. Please make sure to maintain a respectful tone throughout your critique and focus on the arguments presented rather than attacking the individual. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to approach this task:
Step 1. Choose the Initial Response: Select one of your classmates’ initial responses that address the TID topics/issues and that presents a clear position or argument. Ensure the chosen response has enough substance and depth to provide ample material for your critique.
Step 2. Identify the Main Argument: Begin your critique by identifying the central argument of the chosen initial response. Summarize the author’s main points and ensure you understand their position thoroughly.
Step 3. Evaluate the Argument: Next, critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the argument presented in the initial response. Consider the following points:
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Clarity and Coherence: Assess how well the student articulated their argument and whether their ideas were organized logically and coherently.
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Supporting Evidence: Evaluate the quality and relevance of the sources cited by the student. Determine if the evidence used adequately supports their claims.
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Counterarguments: Look for potential gaps or counterarguments that the student should have addressed in their response. Analyze whether these omissions weaken the overall argument.
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Bias and Assumptions: Identify any preconceptions or assumptions made by the student in their response. Evaluate how these might impact the credibility of their argument.
Step 4. Present Your Critique: This section clearly states your critique of the student’s initial response. Begin by acknowledging the strengths of their argument and providing specific examples of where they effectively supported their position. This shows that you have considered their perspective thoughtfully. Next, address the weaknesses you identified in Step 3. Offer constructive criticism and provide evidence to support your claims. If you find logical fallacies or errors in their reasoning, point them out respectfully.
Step 5. Provide Counterarguments: Offer counterarguments to the positions taken by the student in their initial response. Use credible sources to support your viewpoint and present a well-reasoned alternative perspective. Be sure to anticipate possible objections to your counterarguments and address them accordingly.
Step 6: Conclusion. Wrap up your critique by summarizing your main points and reiterating your perspective. Reaffirm the importance of engaging in respectful discussions and open-mindedness when analyzing complex topics.
Step 7. Formatting and Citation: Ensure that your critique meets at least the minimum word count of 1,000 words and is correctly formatted with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Provide hyperlinks to any additional materials you reference in your critique. It is important to remember that if you just meet the minimum requirements of the deliverable, the result will be an average grade. Remember, the purpose of this critique is not to attack or belittle your classmate’s perspective but to engage in meaningful intellectual discourse. Stay objective, support your claims with evidence, and approach the critique professionally and respectfully.
Your initial response and critique must satisfy the Writing and Research requirements described on the Deliverables page. Never post a Word, Google Doc, or PDF.
I will evaluate your level of engagement, the clarity of your writing, spelling, and grammar, your success in writing on a digital platform, the appearance and satisfaction of form requirements, articulation of all potential issues presented, and the quality and depth of analysis when assessing your submissions. It is important to remember that if you just meet the minimum requirements of the deliverable, the result will be an average grade.
Please refer to the Schedule and calendar for details about the TID submission schedule. Don’t be late … you know my policy on accepting late submissions!
Success Assessment
Complete this deliverable by posting your plan to Teams’s #success plan and assessment channel.
Your last deliverable before the final exam will be an assessment of the Success Plan you developed at the course launch. Please reflect on the substance of your Success Plan and describe how your pre-launch perspective on the course, your learning during the course, and the outcomes you described earlier have developed favorable or unfavorable results. This is not an exercise about whether you have achieved your anticipated grade. It should reflect on how your personal and professional goals have been impacted by your choices in planning and execution, both in what was achieved and how it (Success Plan) was achieved. In a minimum of 750 words, your assessment should be submitted by posting your assessment to the #success plan and assessment channel. Remember that you are using a digital platform to complete this deliverable, so review my advice on writing on digital platforms. Never post a Word, Google Doc, or PDF.
Final Exam
The final exam will be a writing assignment requiring each student to define, interpret, and analyze a topic or topics related to the course materials. Never post a Word, Google Doc, or PDF.
Grading
Grades on each deliverable will be posted to the Grades folder in Blackboard. The following weights will be assigned to each component of your final grade:
- Engagement: Class Attendance and Participation, Success Plan and Assessment, Ideas Essay, GenAI Journal (20%)
- Course Blog (10%)
- TIDs (60%)
- Final Exam (10%)