9/2: THE BLOCK
Goals: touch base/wellness check; discuss the history of The Block; use your CC100 syllabi to look at how Block 1 is going to go
What is The Block?
In small groups, according to the Block Plan documentary, what were some of the goals/benefits in creating The Block?
allowed students to hyper focus on one topic at a time
creates time and space for intense study away/abroad (multiple days at a time)
more focus on the class, but also more focused on extra-curriculars (because class time is shared during a common time so shared time outside)
Block Breaks! (4 days off)
The Documentary
the crying first year?!
very professor self-serving? (it was designed for faculty self-service and faculty nitty gritty; more TIME for faculty to faculty)
where did student input and perspective happen?
disconnect between reality and lived experience (like with Block Break)
The Block Plan can make inequities worse: gendered, sexual, racial, and classed inequities?
ok...but what are some solutions?
The Limits of the Block
transience and how to get/stay/be close on this time table
retaining information and transferable skills
Major and complex concepts might not have space/room in the Block: STEM, music (massive intense practice), language courses
let's support this with resources (because they know from the start that it's hard);
adjuncts/maintenance course
sick/injury/family emergency
the transitions from homework to homework
if it's a less packed class, there's a level of "i feel like I should be doing something"
CC 100: How is your Block 1 organized? When are some big homework days/lab days? When are major assignments due (and what are they/what types are they)?
a lot of discussion as the grade (critical thinking and contribution)
participation grade is important: verbal and online discussion posts
College Writing (smaller writing)
meta discussions
minor project at weeks 1 and 2; major projects in weeks 3 and 4
click to edit
Socratic seminar style 9-12
using in class media to connect to economics and morality (and history of media)
reading load: skimming nonfiction versus crucial narrative
what happens when you have writing every other day: