| How To Get Started Page 2 We have a special program to share our writing. I will add you to our class discussion group. You will receive an email explaining how it works. When you want to share a piece of writing, send it to writeshareproject@yahoogroups.com This will send your writing to our class message board where everyone can read and enjoy it. And of course, they will do the same and you will be able to read their writing. If you like, you can respond to other students. That is up to you. This project gives us a chance to feel more like a "real class" where students get to know each other and can share information, skills and experiences. Note: To get a certificate for completing the class you must send in at least two pieces of writing to the Write Share Project. When you send me your lessons, send them in an email or in a Microsoft Word attachments. Please let me know how you would like to be addressed. (First name, last name, title, etc.) You will hear back from me about your work in anywhere from 10 minutes to 5 days. This class is considered a six hour class. That means I get paid for doing 6 hours of work a week. I work on the class more than that! But of course I can only spend a certain amount of time on it. I generally check my email four to five times a week. Sometimes there are many emails to answer and sometimes just a few. Right now about thirty students are active in this class. All these things affect how long it takes to hear back from me. If you have some sort of personal problem and need to take a break from the class, please let me know. Otherwise I will assume you are quitting and I will drop you from the class. Finally, and probably most importantly: This is an on-line class. An on-line class is very different from an in-person class in both good and bad ways. Some of the good ways are: 1. You can do this class whenever you have the time (and a computer) to work on it. 2. You can go at your own pace. 3. If you work at a computer where you are alone, there are no distractions (unless you count surfing the web, biting your nails, or watching television!). Some of the bad ways are: 1. There’s no one to tell you to “do it.” This can become a real problem, especially when you haven’t done it in a while and you feel guilty and you want to do it but you also don’t want to do it and you’re tired and writing is hard… and yes, I understand a little something about not wanting to do things! 2. You don’t get to have coffee or tea at break time. You don’t get to share experiences, fears, skills, and friendship in person with the other students in the class. Sometimes it’s the coffee and tea and friendship that help get students to class. You won’t have that in an on-line class (unless you invite some friends over for snacks while you work on your lessons!). 3. It’s hard to ask for help sometimes. And sometimes it's especially hard to ask for help in writing when you’re having trouble with writing! This is not the kind of class where I or one of your classmates can explain things to you in person. Sometimes I will refer you to websites for help. Other times I will provide you with an explanation in an email. But it’s not the same as being able to have a live conversation. You will have to go on your own power and use the resources provided. And when you have a problem, you will have to tell me. And in writing! The ways that an on-line class are hard are why I recommend the following: 1. Remember why you are taking this class. If you have a goal, work to achieve it! I can help you as your teacher. Your friends and family can support you. But no one can do the work for you. If you don’t remember what it is that made you take this class, it will be easy to lose motivation and slow down or quit. 2. Take part in the Write Share Project. This is a terrific way to see that your classmates are struggling with the same issues you are. Many students tell me they can't write when what they mean is that they can't write perfectly or can't spell well. Everyone is dealing with crazy English spelling and grammar and you will realize that when you begin to share your writing with others. Sure, some students may be further along the path than you. But they got there the same way you will: step by step. The write share project is also a great way to learn from the wonderful experiences and writing the other students have to share. 3. Let me know if you have a problem! If you don’t understand something or you’re confused or if you need to take a break, let me know. I understand about feeling tired, being discouraged, and having problems. (I have a few of my own!) :-) But I can’t help you if you don’t ask for help, so ask! 4. Lose your perfectionism. (What is perfectionism? The desire to do everything perfectly.) The only way to get better at writing is by writing. Sleeping, eating, lying on the couch, talking on the phone or watching television will not help you! If you are afraid of writing because you are afraid of making mistakes you will get only one result: your writing will stay exactly the way it is now. In fact, it might even get worse from lack of practice! Kids are the fastest learners in the world because they are not afraid of making mistakes. When they make a mistake, they just laugh (or cry) and then get right back up and try again. So when you make a mistake, do just the same! Laugh (or cry!) then sit back down and try again! Writing is work. And it is work we do alone.. For some people that’s easier than for others. Sometimes it takes some getting used to. But just like with exercise, the results are worth it! All right... time to get started... go to the class website and start exploring. We have a lot of learning -and writing! to do. Sincerely, Cynthia |
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