Post 6--Class Discourse Analysis

Hi all,

This post assignment is going to be slightly different than the previous ones. I'd like to use it as a type of "mid-term" analysis of how the class is going for you. I've noticed, over the last couple of weeks that the engagement level in discussion has dropped somewhat compared to what it used to be. One feature of a good learning environment, to me, is engaged discourse by all members of the class. Since it has dropped somewhat I'd like to check in with you to see if there are, indeed, some issues we need to be concerned with as we move into the second half of the semester.

So, I'd like you to do a bit of a class discourse analysis and a self-discourse analysis. First, do you notice a difference in the level of engagement in the class? Has your engagement shifted since the beginning of the course?

If yes, what are the issues that might be affecting our classroom discourse? Here are some ideas:

1. Earlier on in the class, we were dealing with challenging concepts; now it's not so tough.
2. Earlier on, we were dealing with theories and had a lot of relevant examples; now we are dealing with different dialects that you might not be familiar with.
3. I'm lecturing more.
4. I'm using audio-video examples more.

That's what I can think of on my end. What about on your end? Do you see that the student discourse has affected engagement levels?

Final questions:
1. What can I do to improve your learning experience for the second half of the semester?
2. What can you do, individually, to improve your learning experience for the second half of the semester?

Thanks,
Tiffany