Introduction
By the end of this semester, I think that I have exhibited good participation in attending a majority of classes and trying to speak up at least once per class. Also I feel that my tinkering techniques have improved and my learning of content. Also I do feel like my presentation skills have improved since the beginning of the semester. While I don’t know if I have fulfilled all of the contract expectations, I think my contract overall is still well-rounded.
Content
Composition
Collaboration
Presentation
Tinkering
Participation
Student-Chosen Outcomes
Content (30%)
Goal: Learn how technology can be used to interpret literature.
In attending most meetings and asking questions I was able to gain an understanding of this concept. And working on the bigger projects with Iola Leroy and the mapping helped as well.
Goal: Think critically about when, how, and why it is best to use certain technology to analyze particular texts.
In this blog post I made connections between Voyant and the annotation studio and how both had benefits and drawbacks. I also had to deal with the draw backs of using mapping in a book as vague as Herland. All of these helped me gain a better understanding.
Also workshopping with the other students helped me to gain a better understanding as well.
Goal: Learn and make connections about how the genre of science fiction in literature relates to modern technology.
Herland isn’t necessarily a science fiction piece. It’s more of a propaganda piece with some science fiction attributes so I didn’t really make many connections. The only thing that was somewhat beneficial is the timeline.
My final project didn’t necessarily follow this goal either, but I did think about it as I made my final project.
Composition (15%)
Goal: Improve ability to develop supporting argumentative claims.
At this point, it is hard for me to say how effective I am in this goal. I don’t feel like there’s been anything to argue for. I am mainly explaining my thought process and actions. I do feel like I stick with my topic sentence in my blog posts and am learning to describe and articulate myself better. This is my first blog and and my most recent post.
I have tried to keep up with improving this and included it in my final project.
Goal: Experiment with writing style.
I have tried to revise my late blogs to make sure my thought process is clear and coherent. Also I have made sure to include screenshots showing my processes.
I have not kept up with the blogs in the second half semester, but the final project made me write in a different way than I do with papers.
Collaboration (5%)
Goal: Learn to communicate clearly within the group.
We haven’t done peer reviews so I don’t have that to provide evidence, but I do feel that I have worked to communicate my thoughts and opinions. I also have taken responsibility in group projects. I make sure to do my part before class so I am able to incorporate it in class. In fact, for the Gephi project I researched and picked almost all of the nodes.
In working and presenting with Kate on Iola Leroy, I definitely felt that my communication skills have improved and we worked together really well.
Presentation (10%)
Goal: Become comfortable leading discussions.
For me, I try to speak up in class if I feel that I have something substantial to add. But I will admit that I do not do well with thinking on my feet. I don’t remember a time where I was specifically meant to be a leader. But I do try to answer a couple questions without monopolizing discussions. Also I keep on topic.
I still don’t feel comfortable thinking on my feet, but I have realized that I am more capable then I think and just need to keep getting more comfortable.
Goal: Become more confident in front of the class.
I am still getting used to the format of assignments in this class. For my timeline presentation, I didn’t have prepared for it more if I did. Then in Gephi because each person in our group did one specific task it was difficult to give a general analysis. Also our idea of the project was different then the actual project.
This half of the semester I have definitely been pushed to get more comfortable speaking in front of people. While it’s been difficult, being pushed out of my comfort zone a little bit has helped me to realize that I can bring something unique to the conversation and that I should be more open to sharing.
Tinkering (20%)
Goal: Practice trouble-shooting on my own and use the web to find answers.
Especially in class I try to look over any tools we are using to make sure I am understanding everything. I also share any tinkering I do on my blogs.
I tried to use the web to help figure things out, but I also used the IRIS center if I needed additional help.
Goal: Focus less on the end-product and more on the process.
This one is difficult because I do think processes are important, but if there is a presentation and the group doesn’t think about the end product, I’m not going to feel confident in out project. I do try to spend time outside of class tinkering so when my group meets we can make sure to keep progressing to the end result.
I definitely still struggled with this and felt a lot of anxiety when thinking about the final project. I know it’s not rational and that I can break down large projects into smaller, manageable chunks, but I do still have a difficult time with this.
Participation (5%)
Goal: Help other students who are struggling.
When in groups I make sure to listen and be open to others’ comments and opinions. Also if we are struggling with something, I work to find solutions in any way I am able.
Student-Chosen Outcomes (15%)
Goal: Think about the fin di siecle period and science fiction.
I honestly haven’t thought about science fiction too much because Herland does not have an emphasis on that. However, in the time period I chose for our group’s timeline it encompassed a fin de siecle period leading to the 1900s and the development of the women’s movement.
I have definitely thought about the concept of fin di siecle when considering my final project, but not really science fiction. Especially I focused on mobilization and reverse colonization.
Goal: Learn more about steampunk contemporary literature and how that plays with Victorian tropes and technologies.
I haven’t necessarily explored this topic in the first half of the semester, but I want to incorporate this into my final project. Or I may need to re-evaluate my goals.
Once again, I didn’t really do anything with this goal, which is unfortunate. But I still feel like what I did for my assignments worked out and helped me to better understand technology and literature.