The following is reprinted from the Fall 2008 issue of the , the official newsletter of The Elliott School of Communication at 黑洞社区.
Some Elliott school students will take part in an ESC first next semester. Communication 535 Communication Analysis and Criticism, a required class for all students, will be offered only online during the spring 2009 semester. The course's instructor, Leslie Blythe, took some time to answer a few questions about the class.
Q: Who are you and where do you live and work?
A: My name is Leslie Blythe. I live in Edmond, Okla., and I am currently a park ranger with the National Park Service at the Oklahoma City National Memorial 鈥� the site of the 1995 terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building 鈥� in Oklahoma City.
Q: What is your connection with 黑洞社区?
A: I received my M.A. from 黑洞社区's Elliott School of Communication in May 2005. While at 黑洞社区, I worked as a research assistant for 黑洞社区-LINK, and after I graduated, I taught Comm 535 Communication Analysis and Criticism, Comm 190 Introduction to Human Communication and Comm 511 Strategic Communication in Organizations.
Q: What kind of online commitment is required? How much computer time will be necessary?
A: Since this class is an "online" class, students will spend a great deal of time online. We aren't scheduled to meet at any specific time, but, like other classes, we have material we have to cover. Students can expect to spend at least 2.5 hours a week on the computer 鈥� approximately the same commitment they would have if taking the class "in person."
Q: Will there be scheduled in-person meetings or class times?
A: While there is no time scheduled at this point, I would like to arrange a time that the entire class can meet at the beginning of the semester and the end of the semester. Ideally, it would be nice to meet once a month, but the details of having any meeting time still have to be worked out.
Additionally, we are trying to find online tools to enable us to meet as a group online. One online tool I am looking at using is Twitter. Local Wichita users of Twitter often have "tweet-ups," get-togethers at a local venue. We may try to have class "tweet-ups" at some point. Of course, we will have to schedule a time that works for folks, whether we are meeting in person or online. It may mean that we all have to be a bit flexible. I, too, am working a full-time job in addition to teaching, so flexibility will be key to everyone's success.
Q: What kind of assignments will be assigned?
A: There will be a variety of assignments, and honestly, I'm still finalizing the details. However, we will look at different kinds of artifacts 鈥� speeches, advertisements, photographs, etc. Students will need to use their best critical thinking skills to analyze and criticize these artifacts and their best writing skills to articulate their findings and opinions.
Q: What advice do you have for students taking 535 online?
A: Well, there are several things for students to keep in mind. First, an online class doesn't mean there is less work involved or less of a time commitment. In fact, there will probably be more of a time commitment. The only difference is that students will have more flexibility with that time. In other words, they won't have to be in class at a certain time. The majority of work will be done on their own time.
Second, the most important word for this class is 茂卢鈥歟xibility. This is the first time the ESC has offered a class online, so we will be trying some new things. Some of the things we are trying may not work, and we may need to try something different in the middle of the semester. This could be frustrating to some students, but we will try to not let the technology override the curriculum.
Again, we may need to be flexible with our time as well. I hope that students can be committed to trying to meet at some point in the semester 鈥� schedules permitting, of course.
Since I am not in Wichita, and I do work a full-time job, I hope students will understand that I may not be able to respond immediately to student needs. That being said, though, I will have and keep "office hours," times that I will be online, so that students can contact me with needs. In addition, Dr. David Kamerer, APR, our technical adviser, has agreed to be a liaison for students within the ESC.
And, even if we don't work out the details for scheduled class times, I will schedule a couple of times to be in Wichita to meet with students for one-on-one meetings.
Finally, students need to bring an open mind and a respect for your fellow students and instructor to our discussions.
I value varying opinions, and I assure you that you may not always agree with my viewpoints. You won't be graded on agreeing with me or anyone else, but you will be graded on your ability to clearly articulate your viewpoints.
I am looking forward to the semester!