Thank you to those students who showed up to office hours. Here are answers to questions about MindMaps and class logistics that I recently fielded.
Q. Are we only solving one (1) problem and making two (2) mind maps?
A. Yes, you need only solve ONE problem with your mind maps. The problem will require you to create two mind maps. The first mind map concerns the broad overview of your problem. The second mind map expands on the solution to your problem by focusing a smaller region of the mind map.
Q. If we do not stick to CAPITAL letters, is it a No Pass?
A. ALL CAPS is a specification… so it is required to pass.
Why? Because mixed letter-cases introduce a hierarchy.
Capitalized letters have an unconscious meaning: They are more important.
Then when you use lowercase, you are indicating that those words are not as important. In order to keep things clear and without hierarchy. This keeps the focus on the visual elements. The keywords are conceptual keywords that bookmark a thought, but don’t require you to think to long about linguistic details.
Q. Also — do we need to have all words on the lines?
A. Yes — the keywords have to sit on curvy branches. When you put the words at the end of a line, you create a dead end… and take up too much space. There should be no words in bubbles-— that would convey a concept map.
Q. What are the specifications for tokens?
A. The specifications for tokens vary depending on the token.
Q. What happens if I receive a No Pass (NP)?
A. On quizzes, you can attempt three retakes. On homework assignments, if you submit early, or in the first few homework assignments, there may be a chance of redoing it before the deadline. After the deadline, you can earn a token. It takes two tokens to make up one blog post, and one token to make up for a NP on quizzes and class participations. The mid-term and exams are point graded, so no tokens can be used on them.
Q. This is the first time I heard of specification grading?
A. The first lecture had an extensive discussion about most of the assignments being Pass/No Pass. All quizzes require 100% correct match in order to receive a Pass. All homework require 100% of the specifications are met in order to receive a Pass. All class participations require attendance to discuss the creation of you class participation work. See the syllabus and blog articles mentioning the grading policy for this class.
At this point, you should know what you need to do to pass the class or get an A. The rubric and grading policy are listed clearly in each assignment, along with supplemental material to read beforehand. Check the This Week! posts, the Master Schedule for what is due. It is your responsibility to do the assigned work, and this work is given ample time to complete. The quizzes are very quick if you’ve done the reading and open book.
My best advice: Read (View) all the information and synthesize the knowledge in your own way (via doodles/sketches), sentence summaries, checklist). Comm165 is designed to be an insightful and introspective class, and all the assignments are given to help you on your journey as a visual artist. I would recommend spending at least three hours a week (not class time) on the assignments to pass (and much more time if you really want to get an A). See the 2nd page of the schedule for a suggested workflow.
Again, read assignments early and ask questions early. Do it correctly by being detailed the first time. It will be easier and more worry-free than going around a second time (redo or tokens). Students who miss specifications and deadlines will not get the same grade as someone who does the work on time and heeds specifications. That’s the way this class is designed.
In the real world, on the job market, if you do not meet the specifications, you lose the money, opportunity, and/or time. Learn to be detailed, responsible, and communicate any problems early. I’m here for you. Your classmates, group mates, and I rely on you to communicate. We do not know your situation if you don’t tell us. We cannot plan accordingly if we don’t know of problems completing an assignment in time. It takes time to help or solve a problem. Be “in communication” and practice communicating with grace and professionalism.