Grateful for the ways ENGL 1030 has given me an edge in other classes

When an enrolled in an English class, I generally find that I struggle to see the benefit of what is taught. It seems that a lot of what is learned is common knowledge; things that should be understood by a student. However, there are many aspects of English courses, specifically introductory English courses such as this, that have a lot of importance and purpose. There are many aspects of this class that are essential in establishing a foundation for students to build their academic careers upon. One of these aspects is the research component.

Each of the projects assigned this semester have required research, in ever-greater quantities. Along with that research, I have had to learn to effectively cite the sources of research from which I have drawn upon. As the projects have progressed, the amount of research and required sources has increased. Along with that, more emphasis is being placed upon proper citation of sources, in order to give credit where it is due. This research is beneficial in and of itself, but it is also helpful in that it has prepared me for research in other classes.

Although my present classes do not require me to do a whole lot of research and writing, I know that many of my future courses will require me to be able to effectively research. Currently, I am enrolled in a World Religion course that has a final project. For this project, I must research three distinct religious traditions and critically compare and contrast them in a presentation of some kind. Believe it or not, I will be utilizing many of the skills I gained in this English class in my research for this upcoming project.

As I progress in my engineering major, I am sure that I will have to perform a lot of research on engineering principles, theorems, and engineering feats and "defeats" of the past. I will take hold of what I have learned thus far and apply that knowledge when the time comes. 

Thank you English 1030, and thank you Mr. Milligan! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Can one grade with equality when the presentations are so varied?

Honestly, this question did not even cross my mind. But now that you mention it, I guess there is a lot of ambiguity in how this multimodal project could be presented. The wide range of possible products could potentially make it difficult for a single person to grade. Generally, projects are restricted to a particular medium, such as a paper document. This makes it easier to compare the writings of each student. Instead of having to compare every single aspect of the project, you only need to compare certain components since the medium is kept consistent. When the medium is left up to the discretion of the student, this makes the grading process more difficult. 

I am obviously not a teacher, but I would guess that there are multiple ways to go about grading assignments in order to maintain an unbiased mindset. I'm guessing a common way to go about doing this includes determining which person's project is optimal and deserving of the most points. From there, you can base each of the other student's work on the standard set by the best project. When comparing papers, this would be much easier because the grader could actually point out errors that were made in excess to the standard, which was set by the best paper. However, when the mediums are entirely different, it makes it much more difficult to determine which project represents the standard. That standard is set based on the prompt and what the teacher has in mind.

For example, my project is compiled into a short film while another student's is a presentation on Prezi. One must wonder, what criteria are used to decide what grade is given. Does the teacher take into account the difficulty that comes with certain visual mediums? Or does he solely evaluate the information and the argument that is presented using that visual? Will the grader be impressed by a more complex production, or will that not break his unbiased perspective? I wonder...

My Personal Thoughts on Adding Multimedia to Classrooms

As society continues to advance, educators are finding more and more ways to incorporate new technologies in the learning experience. It used to be that a blackboard and a piece of chalk were the extent of a teacher's arsenal, but now there are numerous multimedia tools that are being utilized all throughout the world to increase the effectiveness of a classroom lesson. Some examples are projectors, SmartBoards, iClickers, Skype, Adobe sessions, graphical presentations such as PowerPoint and Prezi, as well as many other technologies. And although these things are good in nature, there are those who would argue that too many multimedia tools can detract from a lesson rather than increase that lesson's effectiveness.

Personally I have experienced both sides of the coin. I have been in classrooms where the teacher was adept at using multimedia tools and used them effectively to advance the effectiveness of the lesson. For instance, my math teacher in high school would use a SmartBoard to plot graphs. The "smartness" of the board would allow her to draw perfectly straight lines and magnificently circular circles, while also letting her change the color of the virtual marker to distinguish between graphs and equations.

In another of my high school classes, an immaculate SmartBoard was attached to the wall, however, I do not believe the teacher ever attempted to utilize its capabilities. Instead, my teacher would use the whiteboard behind the SmartBoard. If the dormant piece of technology were to be removed though, then my teacher would have gained valuable whiteboard space.

I don't mind the technology, unless it sits there unused because of the technological ignorance of the instructor. Multimedia can totally be used to augment the learning experience.

However, I do think there is something to be said about teachers who can wield nothing but a piece of chalk and still hash out a superb lesson. It may be old school, but I think it's pretty cool.

Reality: a given fact or just a societal construct?

How ironic that this week's blog is concerning the thought of reality. Last night, I watched The Matrix. In the movie, the post-apocalyptic Earth is run by machines who have established a computer program known as the "matrix," which takes on the characteristics of the world as we know it. Humans are blindly inserted into this false reality and given roles in society; however, they are never made aware of the truth.

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines reality as "something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily." I would have to agree that it is monumentally important to recognize that reality must exist somewhere. Our existence is based on the reality that we were conceived and birthed. However, I do believe the perception of reality can be skewed by those in power. Although the actual reality is unharmed, the way people view it can be warped.

The newspaper is a great example of this concept. The purpose of newspapers is to provide information about recent events. When this information is conveyed in an article, though, it is often manipulated ever so slightly in order to enhance the story. The actual events are left unchanged, but the way in which the public understands them is an alteration of reality.

In the prescribed reading that accompanied this blog post, the author discussed the "empire of Disney" (Sorkin). The Disney parks are designed to be a sort of utopia, in which there are representations of worldwide reality that are displayed in the safety of the parks. Instead of actually visiting the actual geographic locations alluded to in the themes and rides at Disney, visitors can instead walk through clean streets among thousands of vacationers with smiles across their ignorant faces. Perhaps they "prefer the simulation to the reality" (Sorkin). Disney offers snapshots of reality that may or may not accurately represent the reality in its entirety.

In conclusion, I do believe that reality is a given fact. However, I also believe that society can construct "reality" to serve its purposes.

Informally Evaluating Mr. Milligan's Class Thus Far

Honestly, this is one of my most enjoyable classes. Although I have already taken both AP English 3 and 4, I don't mind re-addressing the important things that are taught in English classes. Mr. Milligan is something else.

First and foremost, nothing beats a professor who dresses with style. I, myself, am a man who enjoys colorful clothing. Therefore, Mr. Milligan's many colorful pants are absolutely awesome in my book.

One of the many things I enjoy about ENGL 1030 is the interesting short stories, poems, or other texts that are assigned as pre-class readings by Mr. Milligan. Each selection has proven to be very obscure and interesting, if not humorous as well.

Furthermore, Mr. Milligan is an expert at creating an inviting and easy-going atmosphere within his classroom. All anxieties and stress leave once he begins his lesson. The topics that are addressed in each lesson may be boring, but he always finds a way to spice it up with funny youtube videos or funny pictures. For many, these videos and pictures would seem to deter from the purposes of teaching, however Mr. Milligan expertly weaves them in to the lesson in a way that is both relevant and applicable.

The projects assigned in this English Composition course have really pushed me to express myself through writing. I have not always seen myself as a good writer, but merely someone who could get by. However, the three projects that I have completed so far have given me much more confidence in my writing ability, because I actually enjoyed them. In each case, I felt that I was doing something worthwhile. Instead of just analyzing a novel or responding to a prompt, these projects have allowed me to write about something that I am passionate about. In this third project, I created a cover letter and resume that would be "sent" to an organization called Water Missions International. The funny thing is that I actually intend to do that very thing in a few months when I apply for an internship there.

All this to say, I have really enjoyed Mr. Milligan's class thus far.

Does this class have any relevance to my future career?

First of all, I believe it is necessary that you are aware of my intended future career before I answer the question on the table.

Presently, I intend to graduate from Clemson in four years with a degree in Environmental Engineering. At that point I will either attend graduate school in order to hone my skills, or join an Engineering firm right off the bat. My goal is to research alternative energy sources and develop sustainable energy systems that can be implemented in underdeveloped countries around the world.

With that being said, I will most definitely need to be proficient in communication, both oral and written. I will also need to be able to analyze texts such as research reports and design descriptions. Therefore, this class is extremely relevant to my future career.

In the past, engineers have been labelled as poor writers who lack in communication skills. However, the times have changed, and engineers are now required to be proficient in both writing and communication.

In order to grasp the importance of writing for engineers, I read an article titled, "Is Writing an Essential Skill for Engineers?" by James R. Koelsch. The article cited many engineers who offered their personal insight on the topic of whether or not engineers should be able to write well. The article came to the conclusion that writing is key to an engineer's career, especially if he is operating in a leadership role among other employees.

When Alan Rossiter, a Ph.D., a chemical engineer and president of Rossiter and Associates, was asked about the importance of writing, he quoted one of his students:

"So, if you want to advance beyond just being a number         cruncher, then you need to be able to communicate effectively."

The point being that it is possible to be an engineer without writing skills; although, only if you receive continued satisfaction from doing calculations for the entirety of your career. Otherwise, you must be able to write and communicate. 

As an english composition course that stresses competency in reading, writing, communicating, and analyzing texts, this class has the utmost relevance for my future career.

The Debate over Coauthoring

When it comes to coauthoring, where more than one person is involved in the composition of a certain text, there is a lot of personal opinion concerning whether or not it is beneficial. Some would argue that "many hands make light work", while others would counter this claim and say that coauthoring leads to more conflict and to less accomplished writing. I personally think that there is no objective truth in regards to this conflict. One may claim what works for them personally, but they will never be able to proclaim that same opinion over others. People are different. They think differently. They act differently. They communicate and learn differently. They even compose differently. Although there may not be an objective answer to the question of whether coauthoring is beneficial or destructive, there is information coming from both sides of the argument that should open some eyes.

Many may assume that they are incapable of working well cooperatively with others when composing, but perhaps people are just unwilling to consider the thoughts of others. Regardless of the cause, I believe that at the core of human nature is pride and selfishness. American culture augments this genetic condition by creating extremely individualistic citizens who are biased, opinionated, and who generally do not consider the ideas of others to be worthwhile. However, I would argue that this mindset is bad. I would argue that this mindset is what causes the US to rush into war rather than opting to work alongside the "enemy" in order to find a constructive solution.

On the other side of the coin, there are situations where two people's mindsets are so different, that a compromise is out of the question. In these cases, perhaps it would be better to choose someone whom you could work alongside. But what if one person is a perfectionist? Well, I would call myself a perfectionist to a certain degree. However, I am proud to say that I am somewhat able to turn of my desire for everything to be perfect (aka what I deem right). But, I understand that many people's perfectionism surpasses my own. In these situations, coauthoring is most likely a bad choice.

The importance of citation and assigning credit where it is due

In this blog post, I will discuss the topic of citing sources. This topic is very easily applied to the writing process, however, it can also be discussed in regards to copyright issues and many other cases. If we are to borrow something from someone, isn't it only right that we give that person credit for having the creative capacity to produce that specific thing in the first place?

In life, it is often appropriate to borrow concepts from others in order to enhance our personal ideas and/or to provide evidence that backs up a claim that we stand by. For example, when I was young, I would make claims objectively and back up those claims by stating that, "My daddy said so" or "That's what my big brother said." Ideas are always more credible when they are backed up by someone who is looked up to as an expert in his/her specific field. From the mindset of a young boy, the most credible of all sources is generally his father, followed closely by his mother and/or his older brother.

When composing, it is important to understand that we are not a credible source in most areas, because we do not have experience in that field or a degree that puts us in a place of authority on specific topics. Therefore, it is necessary that we employ the expertise of people who have established credibility in certain areas that allows them to make objective claims that are not questioned. However, if we choose to implement these claims or statements in our own writing, it is imperative that we make it abundantly clear that the source of knowledge is not ourselves, but someone much more credible. When we cite the source of the information that we have included in our composition, then that information becomes credible from the viewpoint of the reader. Otherwise, there is no reason for our audience to take us seriously when we make statements that are obviously not our own.

Citing sources not only makes our claims credible, but it also gives credit to those who have worked tediously to produce something that is worthwhile. Have you ever been in a situation where you came up with something, and then a friend of yours went off and told that same thing to someone else, as if they had originally come up with the idea. Maybe it was a funny joke that you thought of. Well, I bet that made you slightly angry because you didn't receive credit for your creativity. In the same way, we ought to give credit to the original creators when we state one of their ideas.

When we choose to suck it up and cite sources, our writings will become more credible and we will be doing a good thing in giving credit to those who have spent time to come up with such brilliant ideas.

Composing in the Past

Hello to all who would so choose to give my amateur writing a glance. In this post, I will recollect how I used to compose in the past.

I'm sure there is a specific quote that concisely and eloquently voices what I am about to write, but I would rather not spend the time "googling" it, as I'm sure there are multiple quotes that proclaim the same basic truth. That truth being, that one will never understand who he is and how he got to be where he is until he is willing to recognize the past from which he came.

I would like to be the first to say that my process of composition in the past was sub-par to say the least. Throughout middle and high school, I would find a way to slap down a bucket full of words that somehow or another made some sense and acquired a reasonably good grade. Generally this would be done late at night on the eve of the assignment's due date. Ironically, this blog post in itself is a composition assignment that is being completed in the wee hours of the morning. However, a blog doesn't warrant the same amount of professional compositional process as, say, a research paper does. In the days of my compositional incompetence, I would generally have a very limited preparation time and produce only one draft. Of course, I was still able to get by while using this "strategy," although I never succeeded to the level that I was capable of.

Now that I have turned a new page in life, I truly hope that I will do what it takes to compose worthwhile papers. I am well aware of the importance of rhetorical skills to people of every career choice. Even as an engineer, I will need to develop my abilities to compose and employ good rhetorical skills in order to be successful in my field of choice.

Blogger Bio

Hello there!
My name is Will Caswell. I am a Freshman at Clemson University where I am currently studying to become an environmental engineer. South Carolina has been my home for all my life. Born in Hilton Head, SC in 1995, I moved with my family to Myrtle Beach, SC in '98 as a three year old. I raised there, in the Dirty Myrtle itself, surrounded by millions of tourists who flocked to my town every summer. My mom homeschooled me and my four siblings for most of our primary education. I sincerely enjoyed being homeschooled and I am grateful for that experience. I attended a private christian school in seventh and eighth grade because my mom was offered a teaching job there. I then chose to go to the local public school, Socastee High School, for my secondary education. I was well prepared academically, and therefore did considerably well in school. But I don't think any of my friends would have thought of me as just "the smart kid." You see, academics, although very important, was not what defined me. I have always been an athletic kid. I played competitive club soccer ever since I was 10 years old. In addition I played basketball from a young age. I began running competitively on the cross country team as a Junior in high school and discovered my love for the pure nature of running. As a senior in high school I was captain of the cross country, basketball and soccer teams. I was named all-state in both cross country and soccer that year and even broke the school record in the 5K. And although I was pretty successful in the athletic arena, that's not where I drew my identity. When I wasn't in class or studying, or practicing and competing athletically, I was doing the things I really loved. You see, my faith is the anchor of my soul. When academics, athletics, and friends failed me, my faith in God sustained me. That's what I'm about.