Is anyone enrolled into MOOCs?

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Just finished typing my first MOOC essay. It's on Alice in Wonderland and due tomorrow. I haven't been able to keep up with the forum discussions at all. But I'm gonna give my best shot at peer reviewing. Hopefully, I'll be able to channel my teacher skills into this format so it won't take forever. Fingers crossed.

[Overbooked ✎]

Well done Renee! how did you find writing the essay? was it difficult to keep to the word limit? Good luck with the peer reviews!

I have so much going on at the moment that I had to put the "Fiction of relationship" on the back burner, I didn't enjoy the last book choices and I decided to take a break.

I am following the "Fantasy and Science fiction" course videos, but, as expected, I have no time for essays.

Two other MOOCs are my favourites at the moment: "A global history of architecture" and "The civil war and reconstruction".
In particular the latter one has been a real surprise, I have learned so much and surprisingly a lot of the themes in the course are current topics today.
Both the courses have on line quizzes and tests which are quick to do.

[Irene]

I uploaded my second essay for the sci-fi course. I was sad to see I only got a 1 on content in my first essay, so I really hope I've improved this time around.

I loved the Alice books. How about you?

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

This was a second time reading for me. First time i was a kid. Reading it for a class was fun. It made me look at it differently. I even enjoyed writing the essay. I compared it to the first Harry Potter book. Fun!

I did the feedback tonight and I can see that it's going to be a problem for me. I can't stop being a teacher. My feedback is way detailed. Which is good as a participant but I just don't have time for that.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Okay, well, so far participation is an exercise in frustration. I spent way too long reading essays and giving thoughtful feedback. Then was hugely disappointed in the feedback I received. I didn't expect elaborate, but the reviews were all over the place, showing a lack of understanding in both the assignment and in the English language. Seriously? I lost a point for using MY OWN language appropriately, because the reviewer didn't understand the words.

You may have the right idea, Kiwi. Going forward, I may just read the lit and enjoy the lectures.

[Overbooked ✎]

So sorry about the feedback Renee, receiving quality reviews is really the luck of the draw.

Peer reviews is a hot topic, there are benefits but also huge pitfalls. The background of the reviewer is not guaranteed, you may have your essay in the hands of a very young person with no particularly developed literary background, resulting in a poor score and disappointing feedback. I truly feel your pain!

What do you think about the lecturer style and do you like book selected for the course? Are you enjoying the course video lectures?

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

I love the book choices! (Although I'm not sure about the Cory Doctorow. Seems an odd choice. But it might prove to be an interesting new author.)

And I like the professor. He reminds me of one of the gentlemen who taught lit at my undergrad. He seems to really enjoy his topics, and has a friendly, pleasant way about him. I'll bet his lectures are fabulous in person.

How about you?

[Overbooked ✎]

I am going through the books, I thought I would enjoy Alice books more, probably I missed my chance of reading them while I was little?

I do like the professor, he is certainly competent and enthusiastic about the subject. I disagree on some of his theories, Freudian readings are a bit passe' for me, although I didn't know about the Grimm brothers nationalistic intentions.

I'm looking forward to the Dracula lessons this week, and some of Poe's stories have always been some of my favourites.

[Camille]

What is this MOOC you are talking about?

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Fantasy and Science Fiction through Coursera from University of Michigan.

[Camille]

Oh, right. Sounds interesting!

[Jenny, Certified Bookworm]

Are these free? Is there one on writing opening any time soon that is? I would love to do something like that and finish my darn book I've been writing for years!

[Camille]

Yes, a lot if them are free.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

I'm signed up for a free one from Iowa Writeing Conferenve right now.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Obviously not spelling conference. All thumbs today

[Allison, Quest Hound]

Lol

[Jenny, Certified Bookworm]

Ok, thanks ladies!