Curriculum Suggestions/Refinement

[Aesop]

So far I've just been winging it for the level one students. I give them a scene and tell them to be descriptive, then I try to give them good honest feedback. I don't have any ideas right off the top of my head, but I think there should be a stable curriculum for us to use. Not so much for the three of us, but as this grows I hope to have more teachers and it would be good to have a system in place. So I'll think about it and I ask you to do the same and we'll pool our ideas here.

[Rabbit1]

So far I've just been winging it for the level one students. I give them a scene and tell them to be descriptive, then I try to give them good honest feedback. I don't have any ideas right off the top of my head, but I think there should be a stable curriculum for us to use. Not so much for the three of us, but as this grows I hope to have more teachers and it would be good to have a system in place. So I'll think about it and I ask you to do the same and we'll pool our ideas here.

That is a tough one ---as you do not want to give the same task out twice--or we will have them reading over the others work and just kind of --using the others ideas as a way of expressing their task

Maybe we can come up with a list of ideas and cross them off as we use them and add new ones as we think of them

[Rabbit1]

these tasks do not have to be sexual in nature so the range of things are pretty great ----I do think we need to get into formating a story a little more in level too ---look at spacing paragraphs ----instead of a long block story we need to maybe look and comment on some of these issues also --instead of just grammar and spelling

[Aesop]

Okay so let's see if we can get this nailed down:

Level 1 - Description. Level 1 is to bring out the descriptive talents of the writer. Spelling, grammar, and other such should be left for level two. Any additions?

Level 2 - Spelling and grammar, and writing structure such as paragraphs and lead ins and such. Any additions?

Level 3 - Round table discussions of writing and.....I don't know yet.

Level 4- No idea.

[Rabbit1]

tell me what you all think

Hi Rabbit,

I looked around, have a few suggestions and think I can help with the higher class levels. Depending on the current number of students, I can take on either level 3 or 4, but not both, until another instructor is found. I'm heading into another busy season at work and it won't be slowing down anytime soon.

I think we can make this much more like online classes taught at universities today, and save the instructors some time.

Suggestions:
1. For each level, a sticky should be created - if not already. Sticky would include:
defined with the goals of this class level, writing assignments,
and reading requirements.

For example:

If there are three writing assignments at that level, each would be listed.

The student would also be informed that they may start the first assignment at any time, but they were not to start the second until the first had been reviewed by a teacher and so on.

This way, a new student can get started right away, and items duplicated, like assignments, can be online.

2. Reading assignments - if placed within that forum - would also be stuck to the top. For example - you have lots of articles posted about editing and such, those should be easily found and part of the required reading.

Instructors may post their own material or that from other authors as well.

3. If there are "tests" defined based on the reading requirements, then said tests would be PM's/e-mails to students when student has completed assignments.

Tests can be created and be multiple choice or fill in the blank.

Test might also be to proof - edit and correct spelling, grammar - of text provided.

That's it for now.

Hope that helps,

Ruby

[Aussiegirl1]

Sounds like some great ideas to me!

I like the idea of having the assignments posted on each level, so students can start as soon as they want to once they have reached a new level.

I also like the idea of students reading some of the great articles already posted on the site. Maybe they need to say what points helped them the most or they found the most interesting etc?

A Proof reading task is a good idea too. I think a test might scare some people but proof reading would be not so daunting and yet still show if they have picked up the skills we would hope for in that area.

[Ruby]

Hi Everyone,

I've posted reading assignments in Level Three here:

http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6313

My high level goal for Level Three is to work with writers on these areas:

• Grammar nits
• Story layout for easy readability
• Passive verses active story telling – also called “telling versus showing”
• Checking for consistency of action and descriptions
• Pacing

as well as getting them to discuss how they write, what tools and techniques work for them, etc.

I'm using Rabbits basic assignments and enhancing them a bit depending on the student.

By the time someone moves to Level Four, they should have:

• Discussed their personal writing style
• Written at least three stories from different perspectives
• Reviewed at least one story in the BDSM Library
• Entered at least one story in a story contest on this site
• Shared tools with the class
• and mastered some of the basics of editing and re-editing their stories to work on our focus items

If they are male, I might have them write a first person story as a female and vice versa. It depends on the student and their preferred writing style or genre.

Either way, it's a fun assignment and should add more fodder for discussion.

For Level Four, I would suggest working with the writers taking one piece of writing - whether it's a series, a potential novel, or just something they want published - and have them take that personal piece through the various editing phases:
1. Story review for overall character and content consistency, believability, plot and pacing.
2. An editing refresh for those items.
3. An editing refresh for typos, grammar, active versus passive used appropriately.
4. An editing layout for final review, posting, sending to a publisher, etc.

Discussions might be on everything from publishing contracts, publishers for genres, protecting copyrights, author resource sites and groups, etc.

I'd like to see Level Four writers reviewing assignments of Level Three students, offering suggestions and giving encouragement.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Ruby

[Rabbit1]

Great suggestions ---I will have to try to find the time to work that in ---

[Talia]

Does that mean I can look forward to another assignment soon?

[Rabbit1]

Does that mean I can look forward to another assignment soon?

oh yes you have not graduated ----or got your class ring ---lol

[Talia]

oh? I get a class ring..how exciting....*thinks about this alittle bit and knowing Rabbit* What kind of ring are we talking about? *suspisious look*

[Rabbit1]

oh? I get a class ring..how exciting....*thinks about this alittle bit and knowing Rabbit* What kind of ring are we talking about? *suspisious look*

I am shocked -that you would question my good intentions---besides it is a suprise ---

[Talia]

Good intentions......yeah....riiiiggghhhhtttt--lol