Week 3

Whether or not it is showing up in my discussion posts or not, I feel like I am getting better at looking at the readings and relating them to my own life and experiences as well as other themes in the class. Through the many posts I have made over these past three weeks I have found that the online discussion has become easier and more natural. At first I looked mostly to just look for a post to comment on that would be the easiest and quickest to discuss.  Now, I feel confident that I can look at anyone's post and be able to write bout not only my own opinions but give them answers to questions they are looking for.  I should be focusing more on making original posts and I will try to do so in the last week, but I just don't feel as comfortable doing so.  I like to first read other people's opinions on the subject matter and then injecting my own opinion and analysis into the conversation.  For me, I see this as the way in which I can be most effective and bring the most to the class's online discussion.  The way the class learns is through discussion and it is important to be able to contribute effectively in this genre.  

In terms of research there is a lot thatI need to do for presumably the paper that I will write. I have read a good deal on the subject and have formulated an outline and detailed idea of my paper, but there is a good deal left to be done. The research aspect has been quite easy with the good deal of experience I have in the area.  Not that I am a professional, but as a soon to be graduating History major I have written a good deal of research papers and have developed methods that help me to research and write successfully.  That said, the website on research was quite helpful in looking at research and writing in a new way. 

I have been impressed with the format of this class and how it has facilitated learning. I am not used to being such an active participant in a class and this is quite a different experience.  The way I have had to stay involved in the classwork has made me not only learn more about the subject matter, but learn about the way I can and should communicate with classmates and analyze the information through discussion.  This is not something I am accustomed to because in most classes I do not say much at all because I am quite shy. This is a welcome experience that I am finding surprisingly valuable.