Each of you is different. That means many things but in the context of learning, it means that having variety in our assignments is important to ensure everyone is supported and challenged. That is at the core of the design of this course.
In each module you will find,
- Learning objectives, which define the new knowledge and skills you will acquire
- Content, which will be comprised of readings and videos
- Assignments, which will be comprised of VoiceThreads, Canvas Discussions, and quizzes.
Each time you see this icon ✨ in front of a page title, it indicates an assignment or discussion.
Module Content (used instead of a textbook)
There is no book in this class (yay!). But there is content in each module you are expected to read and watch. The History of Still Photography is a visual topic, which is why you will watch a lot of videos in this course. Many of the videos are mini-lectures that I’ve recorded for you and others are videos that I’ve selected to enhance your learning. I recommend that you keep a pair of ear buds with you at all times so you can use them and listen at times that are convenient to you.
Blackboard Discussions
We’ll be using Bb Discussions for asynchronous (delayed) conversations in which you will speak and/or write.
For our discussion activities, you will participate using written text, voice or video – you choose! I realize it can be tough to find a quiet spot to record a message and I also understand that it makes you nervous to think about speaking. I promise it gets easier. And just do your best with the noise.
Study Guides and Quizzes
Almost every module will include a brief quiz. The objective of our quizzes is to ensure you have learned about the processes, people, and events in our modules. Remember, there is no book for this course. The content you are expected to learn is inside each module.
You will be given a study guide for each quiz. Don’t skip the study guide. Depending on the grade bundle you’ve selected, you may need to complete the study guide and submit it. But even if you don’t … use it! Take notes on it as you read the module. It will highlight key terms and concepts that you will need to be familiar with for the quiz.
Things to know about our quizzes:
- To earn a completion on a quiz, you must earn the minimum score for the grade bundle you’ve selected (see the Grading page for more info).
- You may take the quiz as many times as you’d like.
- If a quiz has an open-ended question, you will not see your score until I’ve graded your response.
Hands-On Mini Projects
There will be assignments in this course that require you to do something. These assignments will help you make connections between our course and photography in your everyday life. It is my hope that they are meaningful, memorable, and encourage you to see the world in a new way.
Here are a few examples of the projects you will complete. Every project will include a clear grading rubric so you will understand exactly what I expect of you.
- Create a camera obscura
- Create a “motion” picture with a flipbook or thaumatrope
- Curate a daguerreotype collection
- Curate a carte de visite collection
- Create a mini-presentation about a 20th century photographer. This will be done in a collaborative VoiceThread in which you will upload images and record a brief presentation.
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