Today's Online Class!

OK, 339rs, here's our agenda for today's online class:

• 1. “figuring out today” -- familiarizing yourself with today’s agenda, materials, structure, and timeframes. (9 - 9:10)
• 2. journal qs  (9:10 - 9:15)
• 3. freewriting to Burn After Writing (9:15 - 9:50)
• 4. break/recalibration (9:50 - 10)
• 5. feedback to classmates' proposals (10 - 11:20)
• 6. metacognitive reflection essay.  (11:20 - 11:30)
• 7. co-created peer/reader review worksheet (11:30 - 11:45)

The only materials you'll need are your journal, a writing utensil(s), a computer/laptop/tablet with reliable internet connection, and your brain.  Please stay focused (really, seriously, please!) and stay on the specific task at hand (in other words, don't jump ahead).

Here's a link to the Google Doc where all the fun action is taking place.  (Remember to participate -- and have an "editing" function -- in the Google Doc, you need to be signed into your AUSB account.

Journal Questions:

• Think about your #1 proposal -- the option you're leaning towards.  What do you dig about it?  What are you still shaky on?  Why?
• (Note: this has two purposes.  It should help you think through any "gaps" in your project and help you consider doing more of what you like about it.  Also, remember: all of your journal responses throughout quarter are fodder for your metacognitive reflection essay.)

Rapid-Fire Freewriting to Burn After Writing:

• Do you remember when I told you that I made it rain a couple weeks ago at Barnes and Noble?  The night I bought us those fancy letters to mail people who have inspired you?  (Have you mailed your letter yet?  If not, do so by tomorrow!)  Well, I also stumbled this book called Burn After Writing (Jones, 2015).  It's tailor-made for some personal journaling and it's pretty light-hearted and fun.  I've selected some of the best prompts in the book (below), and I'd like you to respond to them.
• (Why are we doing this?  Two reasons: (1) I'm hoping that some of your responses will capture YOU, right now -- where you're at psychologically/emotionally, the images/sounds surrounding you, and  your hopes/fears at the moment.  Time-capsule stuff.  (2) I'm also hoping that you can generate more ideas/material to work with for your transformation project.
• Take 2 minutes per question!  Whenever possible -- and with time permitting -- complement each of your answers with a "why?"  Just to make sure you don't jump ahead, I'm going to copy/paste each question into today's Google Doc after 2 minutes is up.  (Pretend you can hear that "duck quack" that I use in class.)  :)
• PS: Don't waste any time by copying down the prompts.  If you absolutely/positively need something there, consider jotting down the word (or 2) that I've put in bold for each one.

• The book that has had the greatest influence on my life... (p. 12) 
• The most dramatic fork in my life... (p. 13)
• The [3] best times I've ever had in my life... (p. 15)
• My life story in 3 sentences... (p. 19)
• Baggage I am carrying... (p. 19)
• The last 3 years of my life described in 3 words... (p. 28)
• The one relationship I would like to fix... (p. 40)
• The thing that I am working on that is BIG... (p. 45)
• My personality in 6 words... (p. 45)
• 5 things I want in my life... (p. 47)
• My last... film, book, concert, time I cried, song I listened to, time I was scared, time I danced, time I was angry, time I laughed, time I was drunk... (p 54).  Note: in addition to pinpointing the moment/title/etc, try to find the approximate date too, i.e., March 2015.
• 1 word: my... job, partner, body, love life, sanctuary, fear, addiction, passion, kryptonite, regret, turn-on, turn-off, hero, future, fantasy, Achille's heel, guilt, greatest virtue, vice... (pp. 58-59)
• The advice that has shaped me the most... (p. 67)
• I am sick to death of hearing about... (p. 74)
• 3 things I need to let go of... (p. 94)
• The ~5 songs [have been] the soundtrack to my life [this summer]... (p. 110)

Transformation Project Feedback:

• OK, now I’d like you to hop on my blog to access your classmates’ blogs.  Take 7 minutes to read and respond to each classmate’s proposal.  (Yes, everybody’s.)  I personally think the most valuable feedback you can provide someone is asking them (tough) questions to get them thinking more deeply about the task at hand.  Also, you have my permission to offer people suggestions and/or alternative ideas if you think you’ve got good ones.  :)
• Remember: to comment on other people’s posts, you need to be signed in to your AUSB email account.  Also, I strongly suggest typing your responses on an MS Word doc because sometimes when you’re done writing a response (to someone’s blog post) and click “Publish” it craps out. So again: type up your responses in MS Word and then when you’re done, copy/paste it over.

Metacognitive Reflection:

• Here's the link.  Cha cha cha check it out!  Any questions?

Co-Created Peer'n'Reader Review Guide/Worksheet for Next Week:

• OK, so I want us to (together!) brainstorm questions that we can ask each other for a Peer/Reader Review-style worksheet for Week 9 -- questions that can guide our feedback to one another.