| Talk to Me |
Brad,
This was great fun and so much better than traditional education where you have to
wait forever to get your grade! I know you said the project was about fixing the
breakdown and not hard work, but my grade is satisfaction for all the hard work I
did do. I think the way you calculated it is very fair. It seems to weigh a lot of
different factors and is representative of many different things in this course.
There is something I wanted to tell you that I don't think I covered in any of my
feedback responses. I realized what a tremendous commitment this class is for you.
It struck me at some point during the semester that you have to read all this stuff
we wrote. I was very impressed that you did read it all and even commented on many
occasions. One value to this class that no one really brought up was that you get
constant one on one feedback from the professor. I can't think of any other professors
who would be willing to make this kind of commitment to their students.
I am relieved it is all over, only because I have 4 finals to study for, but I wish
there was more. How about a sequel?
Anyway, the very best of luck to you in your future endeavors! Beth " |
Brad, This is an amazing page/task. I format you have presented the grades in is
very easy to understand and is obviously a lot faster than any other instructor could
ever produce!
Thanks Beth" |
If you noticed computational errors in this program, this is an urgent problem that
will affect everyone else. Don't report such problems here because I only check here
occasionally and grading problems are by definition urgent. Pick up the phone and
CALL!
As always, I'm interested in what you think of this way of reporting grades and would
like to have your suggestions for improving this course, including the grade reporting
task. " |
| This course overall was remarkable. As I have commented throughout, I was here to
get the plumbing. What, in the short run, was a complaint, is also in the long run,
a strength. My time was limited and I just wanted information, how to and answers.
HAving to go out and dig around in a variety of references and sites was irritating
at the time, however, it gave me a lot of confidence in my own ability to figure
out technical things and I know that when I need information in the future I can
get it on my own. I really depended heavily on the "how I did it" part
of assignments taht I struggled with. I think that is a great technique to use. Compared
to courses that have 1 or 2 grading opportunities, this course provided so many opportunities
and the way the grades are tracked and accumulated is wonderful --- no surprises.
Extremely fair. I also recognize and appreciate the amount of time and effort you
put into this. I hope this TTEF site stays up for a while. I consider it a great
resource. " |
Brad - I like the grade reporting mechanism you have implemented. Excellent wrap
up of how each of performed.
As I stated in my course critique there should be little if any change to the course
structure and expected deliverables. I cannot think of a class that has challenged
me as much as TTEF resulting in a fantastic feeling of accomplishment. I truly enjoyed
every aspect of your course. Good luck and I hope to cross paths with you again. |
| I was satisfied by this way of reporting grades. It is very clear. |
| Best of luck to you in your new job! |
| The grade report task was very interesting for me. It was very nice to read through
your comments. I feel that you and Thomasina are very nice people and I enjoyed the
last day of class talking with you both. I just want to thank you Brad. I have never
been through a course where I learned so very much. In January I will start building
a web site for a business I am thinking of starting. I hope to sometime receive your
feedback. Thanks again! |
| No suggestions. This was fine. Just in case..my halloweeen task came out as 60 instead
of 0. If this was intentional, thank you." |
| I enjoyed this course and learned a great deal. Thanks and good luck. |
Brad,
One final word, especially in regards to your prescription for psychological treatment.
There you go again commenting about something that you neither have the acumen, education
or responsibility to become involved with. My team members disagree with your diagnosis
totally as described in their assessments. There was dissent and disagreement, but
the error fell to Bob who did not follow our agreed procedure. Ask the team members
or read our by-laws. (These are facts, not your opinions, Brad.) I humbly suggest
that our conflict might have been better handled by Thomasina, since it was purely
between you and I. Communication is a two way street, Brad, with the greater responsibility
erring toward the communicator/instructor especially if there is a misinterpretation
issue. Hey, take some responsibility that your language may not have accurately represented
what you meant. Take the initiative to be the person to reach out to a virtual student.
It is possible that I might indeed benefit from professional help regarding inter-personal
relationships, but I prefer that to your obvious psychotic break with reality which
is publicly hindering your career. TV shows brought to a dramatic closure by upper
management forced to act against your public outcries; The obvious illusion that
you resigned instead of getting fired. Please, Brad, it is you who needs to get a
grip. Give reality a chance...And fast!" |
Brad,
I truely enjoyed this course. You've done a superb job taking a myriad of material
and tying it all together into a challenging and thought provoking manner.
I learned alot, and am already applying most of it!
I feel satisfied with my final scores. As you said, "YOU" didn't assign
them, we earned them! It is unfortunate that real world concerns impacted on my ability
to complete many of the tasks assigned in a timely manner, which had a detrimental
effect on my final score. As far as intellectual effort, I feel satisfied with my
performance.
I will sum up my thoughts in another longer e-mail which you might use when addressing
students in the future. I have communicated with each of my previous professors in
this way, and it gives me a chance to communicate to them personally outside of the
student to professor realm.
In closing, a few ideas. Try expanding the course to two semesters (I know this is
harder than it sounds) so that you and the students have more time to delve into
topics much deeper. As I said, I didn't have as much time to pursue Superdistribution
as deeply as I would have liked, so I'm going to do a little self-directed study
over the Christmas break.
Second, peer evals are fine, but I think with only two shots, the students havn't
quite figured out what you're shooting for. Don't think this would have had much
impact on my portfolio, but some of the truely "Quality" portfolios like
Chris' might have done a little bit better. Forming peer assessment groups before
you begin building your page might also be a good idea. When I began building my
page I did it as a solitary task, not really understanding what the entire process
would be like.
The organizational psychology material could really be dynamic if you could find
a way to really incorporate it into the curriculum. As you know, I am involved in
a real world roll-out of a client-server database nationwide, which also involves
a business process reengineering of our organization from top to bottom. The dynamics
involved are immense, and I probably have learned more from work than I did from
the readings in class.
Keep on charging. What you have to say IS important, and needs to be brought up in
a graduate course. I, for one am pleased that I had the opportunity to study under
you, and I think the students who come after us in this program will be cheated by
not having met you, and been exposed to your thoughts and methods.
I actually found myself opening up to you, with my concerns as I went through this
calss, and felt as though I had more direct communication with you than most of my
other professors in more "traditional" courses. I attribute this to your
dedication, and your caring for this subject matter and your students. Thank You.
Since you will be in the area after you depart GMU, I hope you don't mind if I keep
in touch, and I hope your plans with the Marine Corps work out. I think you'll find
our organization has pockets of brilliance, and quite a few guys of the caliber of
Ray Deatherage, whom I feel is a class act.
Thank you for the challenge, your time, and your mentorship. Good luck and God's
Speed!
Greg Balzer " |
|
| I think this is a great way to sum up the semester. It's good to read not just what
the professor writes but teammates as well. It gives me a good perspective of how
others felt about my performance. |
Excellent format, no negatives here!! keep it!!!
Thanks again, happy holidays and best of luck again...
JGP sends ..." |
| Excellent format for presenting grades! |
| Brad you are ahead of your times as far as this course is concerned. I am sure a
lot of future GMU students will be void of Persig's insight and your perspective
on the electronic frontier because of you leaving GMU. Take care and good luck. |
| I really like this way of reporting the grades. It is so much more informative than
the normal way of calling on the phone and getting it from the automated system.
I really thought the feedback from the rest of the group was great to. Everything
about this class was unique and a great experience. |
I like the class the way it is. No other suggestions. I'm sad to see it go.
Kevin Parra |
| Brad |
| I'm definitely spoiled. This was my first course in the program and, let's call it
intuition or angelic guidance, but I knew I had to take this class. I have worked
my butt off and gotten value for every bit of effort. I love the way this class is
taught and am totally spoiled for the courses to come. I've signed up for Gail Richter-Nelson's
class COMM 590; Cindy Lont's class COMM 555, ITRN 500 which is the entry course for
the international courses, and for my soul, CS 161 C++. I hope they are good and
have certainly learned that you get out of something what you put into it. I can
do that regardless of the teacher in the future. Thank you for this wonderful course
and all your time, consideration, and most of all, encouragement. You made this class
something very special. Keep encouraging your future students. You are a supurb teacher.
You have demonstrated that scholarly pursuit and technical application can thrive
together. I am going to continue to work on my web site and hope to earn a living
one day doing what I consider a fun challenge with all the great new technology out
on the frontier. I will be careful out there and enjoy myself tremendously. THANK
YOU AND GO MAKE REAL MONEY AND ENJOY YOURSELF!!!!" |
Brad-this way of reporting is great. You broke everything down. You left "0"
questions.
I have nothing to offer in the way of ways to improve this course. I think this course
and the way that you designed it is extraordinary. I'm very sad that going forward
all my courses won't be structured this way. I learned more in this course than I
have in a long time. I am totally satisfied and have begun a new comfort level with
understanding software and technology. I am very grateful to you for your patience
and desire for us to LEARN.
On a side note, I still log onto my locker on a daily basis. I'm still checking the
community tool for notes. How do I now break that habit? :)
It been a pleasure and Brad.....you be careful out there!" |
It was very helpful to get "anonymous" comments back from the group. But,
I figured out who made the comments in the way the scores were presented.
It would have been nice to get some group feedback midway during the course. Even
though I felt that the weekly exercises were enough to keep me busy, the project
was really the focus of the course. I did not know what my team members truly thought
about my work until the last minute. Even though we all got along well, and seemed
to work together well, there was no numerical evaluation during the course to determine
how the others really felt or how they assessed the situation.
In a way, that mirrors life. For example, a person might think their customer is
happy with their work until the day when the customer does not renew the contract.
Feedback is always important on the job and in our personal lives. We did exercises
initially to determine how the group was projected to work together, but really did
not follow up on how accurate that initial assessment was or if it was helpful. Again,
it was helpful in planning, but we did not use that information during the semester
too much.
I didn't notice any computational errors.
Once again, great course. I'm sorry to see you go, but wish you success in the future.
I really learned more than I thought possible in this class. For Christmas this year,
I've asked Santa for a printer/scanner. I hope to really do a lot with what I've
learned in your course. I eventually want to make a career change as I mentioned
in an earlier exercise and now have the confidence to move in that direction.
THANKS!! " |
Gee, lots of feedback. I'm pleased that I learned a lot this semestser. The grade
report provides plenty of feedback from the students. The only possible addition
would be feedback, in words, from you. Talk to me. Or, pick up the phone and call!
If not, it has been a real pleasure. Good luck!!
By the way, you spelled carefully wrong on first page.
So long!" |
| I love the format used for reporting grades in this class. I was satisfied with my
grade and the recognition my team members gave me for the work I established in the
group project. Overall the infrastructure used to deliver this course and the quality
of the assignments were very challengings. The way this course is taught is good
enough and does not needs any change. |
| I like the way you inform us of our grades. This was really fast and explained have
the grade was determined. I really found this course a challenge and very helpful
in improving my knowledge of not only English but of the electronic frontier as well.
Have a happy holiday and you be careful out there too! |
| Brad, by far the most inovative course I've ever taken. There were times when I hated
it and other times I saw the larger purpose. It's been a pleasure and I wish you
the best in your new 'chapter' in your career. -- Bob" |
I like being able to get my grade quickly and seeing how it was broken down.
I still have to say that the essays on Pirsig and Superdistribution should count
for 10% each of your grade since they were such detailed and difficult tasks.
It seems weird that this is the last assignment I will be submitting. I have enjoyed
this class and wish you well in your new endeavors. |
The class as a whole is revolutionary in the way it is done and as the reporting
of grades is determined. I especially like the complete breakdown and the rational
and comments for these grades. Thanks for everything and good luck in your future
endeavors.
Steve |
| Brad I am very satisfied with my grade. I only wish I had been more focused at the
end. Best of luck to you on your new adventure. |
