Blog+Assignment+for+LIT241+-+Denise+Hill

**LIT241 - Introduction to Mythology**
Concept drafting for final analysis paper (prewriting).
 * Objective assignment will meet**:

I did not have a previous assignment that met the particular goal I am working toward with this. In the past, I have invited students to post their ideas to a DB on Educator, with little response. At the very least, they are required to pass their idea by me first via e-mail before writing on it.
 * Description of previous assignment**:

The final paper for the class requires students to identify a contemporary culture source of mythology and write an analysis of this source, defining how it represents archetypes and/or a theme of mythology, either those we have studied in class or others that they will be able to identify. They must also use, as an assigned comparative source, Jeannine Hall Gailey’s book of poetry, //Becoming the Villainess//.
 * Rationale for assignment revision**:

The purpose of this assignment is to get students to see and understand the viability and vitality of myth in our current culture, instead of just seeing myth as a “bunch of old stories” that are not applicable to their daily lives. While in the past, this assignment has elicited some great thinking on the part of the students, there is a clear division between those who “get it” and those who don’t, and even for those who “get it,” the writing – the ability to articulate thoughts into text – sometimes shows signs of struggling infancy.

Having students create blogs of experiences with mythology in contemporary culture will help them begin to explore this concept much earlier on, sharing their ideas with one another, getting much-needed feedback to further develop these ideas, and receive early intervention from me should I see there is a need for redirection (better now than later when the paper is done and can’t do anything about it).

Google Blogger. I’m a Blogger user already, so I am most comfortable with this technology, and Blogger allows for multiple users on one blog, which is how I would utilize it for this class.
 * Technology to be used**:

Instructions students will need to use technology: Basic access instructions for Blogger, but, once there, Blogger is a simple tool to walk through. Still, I will provide step-by-step, handout style via Educator, similar to the handouts we have received for ED392x with screen capture images and clear directions on them.

I am most concerned with text at this point, though being able to insert images is an option I will offer. The students may want to post something that they saw to which they would write a response. I could also include these instructions as well.

Brief description of content students will need to accomplish assignment (textbook, websites, lectures, videos, resources): Course textbooks, lecture notes, handouts, Jeanine Hall Gailey’s //Becoming the Villainess.//

Students will be required to post a minimum of two original posts to the blog – one before the end of the first third of the class, and one before the end of the second third of the class. Students will be required to respond to two posts before the end of the second third of the class.
 * Instructions for students to complete assignment**:

Each original blog post must be a minimum of 250 words.

Each response must be a “thoughtful consideration” (something I work with them on using the Educator Discussion Board – guidelines: 3-4 sentences; not just repeating what others have already said; not just parroting back the original post).

Grading based on completion of required elements, as well as basic English skills.
 * Grading criteria, rubric, and assessment**: