Gallagher
6/1/03

I have said that this course is a participatory course -- a "learning community" -- in which your class "presence" is crucial.  Well, how will you and I know if you are "present" in the active manner we need you to be?

Here is a list of traits to practice on the discussion board that help create the successful interaction required for healthy community:

• consistent involvement
• willingness to initiate
• raising interesting and appropriate topics
• adequate support for your views
• taking responsibility for keeping the conversation going
• willingness to listen and respond to others
• willingness to learn from others
• respect for and toleration of difference
• tenacity when you feel right
• a willingness to change when you don't feel so right
• clarity and eloquence in expression
• signs of intellectual growth
• decent manners

I will ask questions like:

• "Did you actively contribute to creating an atmosphere conducive to better learning by all?"
• "Did you help others do their best work?"
• "Was the class better because you were in it?"