February 27

Today, we responded to a quote about research on the Web for writing into the day.  Then, we discussed the Research Proposal.  The Proposal does not need to go on Moodle (as it states in the assignment description).  Instead, we will bring a hard copy to the conference.  The Proposal will still need to be posted to the blog before the conference.  It would also be smart to bring a daybook to the conference to take notes.

After discussing the Proposal, we read the "Finding Credible Sources" handout in small groups.  We watched a video about the Primerica Scam and discussed whether it was credible:

How is the video credible?

• A lot of people talked about their experiences.
• People make big money.
• They stated facts.
• It sounds desirable.
• People from high in the company spoke.
• There was a diverse sampling of people; this suggests that anyone can do it.
• It was all positive.
• They discredit the Internet.

How is the video not credible?

• The people seemed like actors.
• It was biased.
• They didn't say what the company does.
• They only read half of the quotes.
• They didn't say names.
• They didn't say where the money goes.
• They said you can't believe what you hear, so how can you believe them?

How could they make the video more credible?

• Show financial records.
• Show names.
• Show better statistics.

Then, we talked about why Wikipedia is considered an uncredible sources in academic (anyone can write on it) and how we can use it to our advantage.  Wikipedia is a good starting point.  It can give the reader a foundational understanding of a subject.  Then, the reader can follow (and use in a paper) the citations provided at the bottom of the Wikipedia article.  Make sure, though, that the source that it takes you to is credible before you use it in your paper.

Finally, we wrote about what participation grade we believe we deserved based on the following: participation in whole group, participation in small group, coming prepared to class, volunteering to read and staying attentive in class.  (If you were absent, please email this to me before Spring Break.)

Homework:

• Post the answers to the "Self Assessment Reflection" handout on your blog before Monday at noon.
• Post your second draft of your Exploratory Essay to your blog before Monday at noon.
• Post your second draft of your Exploratory Essay to Moodle before Monday at noon.  Post it in the forum called "POST YOUR EXPLORATORY ESSAY HERE." If you do not turn in the essay on Moodle before noon on Monday, you will receive a zero for this assignment.

Note: On March 11 (the day we come back from Spring Break), we will meet in Room 125 in the library.