Please read the description of the course goals as they are listed on the course website. Do you feel we are proceeding towards these goals? What is so far proving most useful? What would you change, and why?

-I feel that the class is generally proceeding toward the course goals, which I read to be: form a commons, rehearse collaborative writing, and create an interconnected infosphere. The more specific objectives are to attend class, contribute and participate, and blog regularly on the Wiki. I feel that we are definitely moving toward the overall goals that I listed first and that our class has really started coming together as a cohesive and supportive group. However, it concerns me that a couple of people are regularly absent from class or extremely late. How can they actively contribute if they are not there? I also feel like many people are not blogging as regularly as has been asked of us, and I think some of this may stem from being unsure of what is asked. But we have been asked to write about something at least.

What are you learning in class? What more do you think you could learn in class? How can class be structured to help you learn what matters to you?

-I am learning so much in class. I have always hated group work throughout school, but I am thoroughly enjoying the structure of our groups. Being able to freely discuss a topic (or group of topics) that interests all of us is really exciting. Having the freedom to simply come on the wiki and post some thoughts instead of having to meet together outside of an already intense class time-frame is a relief. I have also been learning that there are MANY different aspects to sustainability; it is not just about "going green". The fact that there are groups within our class focusing on sustainable fashion, sustainable construction, and sustainability in Africa fascinates me.

How do you define your responsibilities to this class? How are you living up to those responsibilities? What are your greatest contributions to class? What can you improve?

My responsibilities are to come to class on time every day, post on the wiki regularly, contribute to the class as a whole as well as my group, and to meet the few set deadlines that have been laid out for our drafts and final copies. I feel that I am living up to my responsibilities. I would have to say my greatest contribution to class is that I've overcome my initial shock that I had on the first day, and now I can really embrace the purpose of this class. I feel that I am really taking our topics of discussion to heart and thinking about them in a very personal and inspired manner, to hopefully motivate others in the class to do the same. However, I think I need to be a little less harsh when critiquing the writing of others and learn to meet people where they are, not where I expect them to be.

How do you define my responsibilities as teacher of this class? Am I fulfilling those responsibilities? What more or different can I do to help you fulfill the work of this class?

I've learned that the responsibilities that you have as a teacher are different from the traditional view of a teacher, and perhaps better fit the title of "guide". I expect you to nudge class discussions in a certain direction and provide somewhat of a guide for our assignments and blogs. At first I felt frustrated by not having detailed expectations and assignment parameters, and others have expressed this same frustration. However, I now understand that you are trying to get us to think for ourselves (sounds like sustainable education...) and experiment to hopefully come to a new revelation in the process. While I understand this, sometimes I wish that class discussions could be a little more focused at times.

What suggestions do you have for how we can improve class, to help you learn more, and enjoy the class and the learning more?

Like I started to touch on in the previous question, I wish that class was a little more focused at times. There have been a couple of different occasions when we've gone off on a tangent about a possible assignment that doesn't really turn into something we end up doing or completing. I guess I just like to be very efficient with my time and focus on what needs to get done during time that has been designated as "work time". Also, there are times when I've had to go hunting for assignments or have heard a rumor of an assignment that was kind of hidden within a discussion. I don't necessarily need clearer assignment specifics, but if something is an assignment I need to know and be able to see where it is and that it is designated as an assignment.

What more or different can I do to help you understand the work I am asking you to do?