2.1 Brainstorming Discussion Board
The initial post is due by the deadlines posted in the Schedule.
The second class discussion board gives us a space to explore the question: What will we do for our reports?
Before you complete this discussion, please review the following assignment links and the textbook readings for each:
To complete this step in the activity, post your idea for your project to the 2.1 Discussion Board under the Discussions button in Blackboard. Include as many details about your idea as you can to help your classmates understand what you have in mind. Ask any questions you have of them that will help you clarify your project idea.
Then, respond to at least two of your classmates' ideas to help them develop their project. Your responses should include:
The second class discussion board gives us a space to explore the question: What will we do for our reports?
Before you complete this discussion, please review the following assignment links and the textbook readings for each:
To complete this step in the activity, post your idea for your project to the 2.1 Discussion Board under the Discussions button in Blackboard. Include as many details about your idea as you can to help your classmates understand what you have in mind. Ask any questions you have of them that will help you clarify your project idea.
Then, respond to at least two of your classmates' ideas to help them develop their project. Your responses should include:
- questions that help them develop their ideas
- sources that they might want to visit to research their ideas
- comments about areas that you find well-planned or confusing.
Think about it:
Audience Awareness:
As you select elements to help your classmates brainstorm their ideas, consider what elements you would like to receive as feedback for your basic ideas. Consider the purpose (assisting others in planning their projects), and the situation (to help classmates be successful with their project proposal ideas).
Collaboration:
As you help classmates brainstorm, you will be analyzing and respond to their work of others in a professional context. Thus, you should consider the goals of the assignment and help them move forward with those goals in planning their project. Writing is a social aspect of technical communication; thus, the purpose of this project is to work with your peers to develop the best possible proposal and report that you can.
Information Literacy:
Consider what research or additional sources might be beneficial to your classmates as they develop their projects. Go beyond responses that say "good job!" or "I like this idea!" and also beyond your personal experience. While your experience is important, classmates are more than likely not going to be able to use your experiences in developing their proposals. Include specific references to resources that might be helpful in assisting classmates with their projects.
Digital Literacy:
Just as with all forms of technical communication, you should consider discussion board posts and replies to be opportunities to practice the conventions of a particular form of communication. Consider the guidelines that make discussion board posts different from other forms of communication (i.e., including a unique subject line for each post and reply, etc.). What elements of reading text online will require you change the formatting of your discussion board post (i.e., large blocks of text or light colors are difficult to read on a screen). Review this source that discusses good methods for constructing discussion board posts.
Audience Awareness:
As you select elements to help your classmates brainstorm their ideas, consider what elements you would like to receive as feedback for your basic ideas. Consider the purpose (assisting others in planning their projects), and the situation (to help classmates be successful with their project proposal ideas).
Collaboration:
As you help classmates brainstorm, you will be analyzing and respond to their work of others in a professional context. Thus, you should consider the goals of the assignment and help them move forward with those goals in planning their project. Writing is a social aspect of technical communication; thus, the purpose of this project is to work with your peers to develop the best possible proposal and report that you can.
Information Literacy:
Consider what research or additional sources might be beneficial to your classmates as they develop their projects. Go beyond responses that say "good job!" or "I like this idea!" and also beyond your personal experience. While your experience is important, classmates are more than likely not going to be able to use your experiences in developing their proposals. Include specific references to resources that might be helpful in assisting classmates with their projects.
Digital Literacy:
Just as with all forms of technical communication, you should consider discussion board posts and replies to be opportunities to practice the conventions of a particular form of communication. Consider the guidelines that make discussion board posts different from other forms of communication (i.e., including a unique subject line for each post and reply, etc.). What elements of reading text online will require you change the formatting of your discussion board post (i.e., large blocks of text or light colors are difficult to read on a screen). Review this source that discusses good methods for constructing discussion board posts.