At 08:22 PM 3/5/96 -0600, you wrote:
>But I still have the usual term papers and finals and it's driving me mad. I
>want to run paperless classes next term. I think we have to get to that point.
>In addition to the notes conferences which are successful, I was thinking about
>requiring web page construction (but there is added down time while they learn
>to use html). I was also thinking about asking them to do relevant community
>service, with the "thinking" part of the activity some kind of production about
>the relevancy of their project. The community service project would be the
>equivalent of a term paper. But can I ethically require students to do eco
>community service? Can I ethically dispense with papers and still get folks to
>read and learn what I assign?
Is it at all possible for you to have an electronic turn in box for
term papers and such? I know that where I go to school (I am still a
student:) ) this has been suggested, but not implimented. It was proposed
that everyone would be given a free email account and access to the 'net
through dialup as well as labs and that they could just email or send their
term papers to their prof via this system (there is also a limited hand in
system available currently). The idea was that the prof could email
responses back to the students...instead of having to print out pages or
reuse pages the entire process was SUPPOSED to be electronic. They are still
trying to implement this system...but in the meantime some profs allow
students to hand assignments in on disks and then return the disks with
comments and grades. That also eliminates the paper problem!
Haveing students create a web page is also a very good idea. There
are html programs out there which practically set the page up for the
student and all they have to do is put in personal stuff or assignment
things. One way of making sure that students are accessing the materials is
to have "guestbooks" which you could check (have the students send their
guestbook files to you) to see if they are accessing information from others
in the classes.
Eco community service sounds like a good idea...but I know as a
student I would REALLY resent that--and that would go right against what you
are trying to teach. Many of us have full time classes, full or part time
jobs, some of us have families or children to take care of, and homework as
well as outside interests. It would be good to encourage them to do it...but
it might not be fesible for everyone of them...which might create some
problems with the system.You would definately have to discuss it with the
students to see what they think! But to have your material out on the net,
and provide them with addresses of information, a drop box or letting them
hand in disks instead of stacks of papers, and some training on how to use
the internet (for those who might not know how to use some programs), would
definately be a step further in ecological thinking!
>
>This feels a lot like bucking the system but it's the stage I'm at as an
>"aware" person. This is my feedback on ecoguilt and ecogrowth but I would
>also love suggestions.
I think using the net, provided that you do have alternatives for those who
don't have net access or the know how to use the net well, as well as some
training using the system is not at all "bucking the system". If you provide
your students with the reasoning behind what you are asking of them, and
what you are trying to show them, then you are most likely forwarding the
ideas of ecology and ecofeminism.
Pamela
