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Why Have Group Projects and Presentations?
These collaborative assignments are designed to foster learning as a group, and to promote solidarity rather than competition in the process of learning (i.e. they prepare you for the post-collegiate work environment, where collaborative teams far outnumber individual efforts). They are also good opportunities for you to address what you see as gaps in the curriculum (i.e. are there issues that you care about that are not addressed in the class?), supplement the material presented by the instructor (perhaps musicians and sound artists or collectives you are interested in?), and organize the class to participate in learning activities that you deem valuable. You are encouraged to use these assignments as opportunities to contribute to your own learning process and take ownership of the class.
Final Presentations for FY14
During the last two weeks of the semester, all students will do an oral presentation of their research paper (Essay 3)in class. These presentations will take a form of a series of panels. Each student will present for 10-15 min., and each panel will have 60 min., including time for feedback from and discussion with the class. Each group is responsible for organizing their own presentation, including the following tasks:
- Coming up with the order and format for your panel;
- Keeping time to make sure every member's presentation is not too long or too short, and there is enough time for discussion and feedback from the class;
- Coordinating with me on your technological and other special needs.
The groups will be organized according to your Essay 3 abstracts. Each group should meet with me at least once to discuss your plans, and you are strongly encourage to meet with me more than once for feedback.
Grading Criteria
The final presentation will count for 10% of your class grade. One grade will be given per group - meaning each student in the group will receive the same grade, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Grading for final presentations will be based on my assessment of:
- Your group's planning of the presentation - was the presentation well-organized? Did your group create a coherent format to facilitate the different individual presentations? How did you address the different presentations within the group?
- Your group's presentation - was it on time? Were all the members prepared? Was everyone in the group able to adequately present their research within the time allotted? Was there time for discussion and feedback from the class?
- Feedback from other students
General guidelines on what I will be looking for in final presentations:
- How did your presentation relate back to our class? Was there reference to the class material we studied and discussions we engaged in during the semester?
- Does the group's presentation present new information, perspectives, and methodologies within the field of sound studies? Do we come to a more enriched understanding of the field of sound studies after your presentation?
- Did your group work together to create the presentation? Was the labor shared, and how well did the group manage the planning and execution of their presentation? Did the group prepare for it?
- Did the class learn anything from your group's presentation?
Some Tips on Collaboration
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Working as a group can be both challenging and rewarding. It is vital that you do your share of the work and participate fully in the group's efforts; |
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Everyone has different strengths, talent, and knowledge - use these differences strategically when you divide up the duties, but also treat each group project as an opportunity to learn and acquire new skills; |
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Everyone's opinion is important - take time out to hear what each other are saying, be respectful of differences within the group, make these differences productive, try to work by consensus as much as you can, come up with decisions collectively; |
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If there are difficulties in group process, you are encouraged to come speak to me far ahead of the deadline so we can come up with solutions. Try to resolve these issues as soon as they arise, don't wait till the last minute! |
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If your group wants to set-up a discussion forum on Sakai (sakai.claremont.edu) to facilitate your planning process, I am happy to do so, just let me know. You can also use other forums outside of the Claremont Colleges, such as Facebook, Google, etc. as on-line discussion and workspaces for your group. |
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