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FYE Blog Entries

Rationale

There are two reasons why we are using the WOU blogging software for class writings and communication:

1. Blogging software is not only useful for communicating various details about one's personal life, it is also a useful communication tool for people working in groups, or interested in the same issues.

2. Posting your writing on issues covered in this course will allow the instructor to respond and provide feedback to you in a timely manner. Moreover, the blogs will be used for your classmates to read and respond to your writing.

Expectations

For each blog entry, you will be expected to provide between 150-300 words on the topics provided below. (FYI, this is about a half to a full page of typing, double-spaced). Please keep in mind that spelling, grammar, and punctuation are expected meet the standards expected in an academic environment).

Your blog entries will be worth 10 points each, and graded on the following criteria:

• Did the post completely address the topic listed for that week?
• Did the author relate the topic from a personal and relevant perspective (as opposed to simply repeating points raised in reading and discussion)?
• Did the author provide timely and relevant comments (if required for that week)?
• Was the writing free of significant mechanical errors? (this itself is worth 2 points - a post with significant errors of spelling, grammar, or punctuation can receive a grade no higher than 8)

You are expected to make use of the WOU blog software for this class. Instructions in setting up your account may be found by going to the Library's Instruction page (go to Major Services on left-hand menu, then mouse over to Instruction) under the heading, FYE Resources.) Your MySpace or Facebook blog will not be acceptable for this course.

When asked to provide comments to your classmates, you are expected to provide comments on at least 2 different classmate's posts. Select a different pair of classmates the next time you are expected to make comments.

Entries

Week 1	Set up your account and post an entry with your class schedule - course, section, professor, and time. If you are pondering changes, state that in your post. Email instructor: miyagib@wou.edu from your WOU email account when you have completed this task - 10 pts for completing this task!
Week 2	Describe your first week or two weeks of college life here at WOU. What expectations do your professors have in regards to your work? What are the major assignments for your courses? What concerns do you have about your courses? What is one significant thing you have learned so far in these past few days (it does not have to be related to a particular course)? Post is due by end of Friday, Oct. 6. Comments on 2 classmates blogs due by end of Monday, Oct. 9.
Week 3	What sort of schedule have you set up for yourself in regards to studying? What has been the biggest obstacle to finding time for study? What have you noticed your friends or dorm mates doing? What was one thing mentioned in the article on time management that you can relate to and why? Post is due by Friday, Oct. 13. Comments due by end of Monday, Oct. 16.
Week 4	What advice would you provide to next year's crop of entering WOU students in regards to study habits? How have you learned these lessons? Post is due by Friday, Oct. 20, comments due by end of Monday, Oct. 23.
Week 5	What are some careers you are thinking about after completing your education? How much more education after college will you need? (See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for information on this.) How relevant to your possible careers have your courses been? (It's ok to say that you've found no relevance, but do expand on this.) Post is due by Friday, Oct. 27 (no comments needed!)
Week 7	What have been your major expenses so far here at WOU? How successful have you been in creating a budget and sticking to it? What are some things you wish you had more money on which to spend? What sort of impressions have you received from your friends and dorm mates in regards to how they budget their $$$? Post is due by Friday, Nov. 10. Comments due by Mon., Nov. 13.
Week 8	How was your trip home for the holidays? How similar was it to the experiences related in the assigned reading? What advice could you give to next year's students on this matter? Post is due by Monday, Nov. 27. No comments needed.