About the Pacing of this Course

During Fall or Spring Semester, you have 15 weeks to complete a course. During the Winter session, you have about 15 days, so we have to complete the work of a week every day. That means there are a lot of readings and activities every day.

Because of delays in getting the textbook however, I need to extend the grace period for the reading quizzes to be fair to everyone. The normal grace period is 24 hours, but for this first week only, I am extending the grace period for all reading quizzes to 11:59 PM on Saturday, January 2. Don’t procrastinate though! It will be easier for you to complete the readings each day rather than having to do everything on Saturday.

Readings for December 28

For today’s session, please read the following:

• Details on the characteristics of technical writing and chapter 1 of Markel.
• Suggestions for writing collaboratively and chapter 3 of Markel.
• The assignment for Project 1: Professional Biographies.
• Some tips on writing biographical statements for Project 1.
• Examples for Project 1, to help you understand the assignment.

Help with Canvas

• Read the Student Getting Started with Canvas Guide.
• Use the From Scholar to Canvas – Tool Map to figure how to how do something in Canvas that you know how to do in Scholar.
• To ask a quick question, click Help at the upper right corner of the screen, and select one of the help options from the pop-up window. Canvas helpdesk consultants are available 24/7 via chat, phone, or through online ticket. 

Work for December 28

Please complete these tasks today:

• Begin work on Project 1:

  • Go to the Discussions tool in Canvas, and choose the the “Readings for Project 1” topic. Discuss what you read in the Some tips on writing biographical statements with the members of your group.
  • Go to Discussions in Canvas, and choose the "Analyzing Example Bio Statements" discussion. Analyze the examples for Project 1 using the discussion questions in Canvas. You will be working in small groups again to help manage the conversation.
  • If you have any questions (today or in the future) about the first assignment, send me an email message.

• Complete the quizzes for today’s readings:
  • Go to Quizzes in Canvas, and complete the reading quizzes on Chapter 1 and Chapter 3 of Markel. See the policies for quizzes on the course logistics page.