Blogging through the “GEOG-ing” A Syllabus Transformation of GGY 3720: North America

UNCP Author/Contributor (non-UNCP co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Dr.. Dennis J. Edgell, Associate Professor (Creator)

Institution

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP )

Web Site: http://www.uncp.edu/academics/library

Abstract: It had been years since I taught the Geography of North America course. Usually only Geo-majors take the course as a requirement. I knew that the course would be low enrollment. Furthermore, I did not want to build another standard lecture course. (i.e. “Death by PowerPoint”). I thought that students would learn better by research and writing, rather than listening to lectures and taking tests. Each student created their own blog website. Students blogged anonymously, using a pen name known only to the other class members. They were to take on the persona of a professional writer. They were writing in the role of an expert or researcher -- not merely a student completing an assignment. My hypothesis was that if students answered geography questions about North America from the perspective of a writer/blogger, they might connect with the material in a more personal and a more lasting way. Each student also conducted a region-specific research project and wrote a Pembroke Undergraduate Research and Creativity (PURC) proposal for their topic. Through writing and research on a specialized regional area, the student would become the expert. Hopefully this first-hand, depth of knowledge will live on with them after the course is concluded.

Blogging through the “GEOG-ing” A Syllabus Transformation of GGY 3720: North America
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Created on 4/26/2019
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Additional Information

Publication

UNCP Research and Creativity Showcase

Language: English

Date: 2019

Keywords

Geography, College Courses, Syllabi, Syllabus Construction

Subjects

Learning and scholarship -- Outlines, syllabi, etc

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