10 essays have been submitted and graded by my peers. I’ve had a grand experience reading, writing, and getting to know a few of my classmates during this Coursera adventure. I’m still processing all of the wonderful resources that magically poured forth from my laptop these past several weeks. I know the lessons learned while participating in this MOOC environment won’t even be fully absorbed and appreciated until sometime off in the future. Then, when I least expect it, an essay comment, or lecture point, or forum discussion is going to hit me between the eyes and burrow into my brain. It is sure to be the correct piece of information digested at just the right moment for me to finally say: “Aha! Now I get it!” I’m counting on that clear insight to help me achieve a couple of goals **cough…manuscript languishing in the desk drawer…cough** and to keep my “reading for meaning” skills sharp.
I extend a most hearty Thank You! to each and every one of my peers who received an essay of mine to review. It was a big commitment of time, and I’m very pleased with the feedback that was returned to me. I know I’m lucky that my work never ended up in the clutches of one of the roaming SuperTrolls who lurked the halls of our virtual institution of higher learning. Their insensitive remarks while grading papers made this class experience not so nice for many students. Shame on you, SuperTrolls!
And now…drum roll please…here are the peer assessments for my “Little Brother” essay, the final assignment for Fantasy and Science Fiction: The Human Mind, Our Modern World.
FORM
student1 → Fairly well written, although the the first sentence is somewhat convoluted with the two 'as' clauses. Describing the protagonists as " inquisitive, creative, intelligent, and enthusiastic," you state these qualities "set the stage for a revolution." I think you need to make a stronger case for this argument.
student2 → You write well and express ideas clearly with conviction. Good to have the citations for us to refer to.
student3 → This sentence should have an exclamation point at the end: What a revolutionary idea to level the playing field as opposed to simply playing games.
student4 → The argument is presented well in the beginning. I liked the angle you were taking. The sentences are clear.
student5 → everything is ok.
Score from your peers: 2
CONTENT
student1 → Although the book definitely has its own agenda, I do not agree that it is the same as your agenda: " bringing basic means of communication to those less fortunate, both in the U.S. and abroad." I think the book sparked your enthusiasm for a global initiative through technology. I think the message of the book was the need for privacy over security.
student2 → I appreciate your views and found it very interesting to think about in response to reading the book. However, the guidelines for writing these essays states very clearly: "Do not use the essay as an occasion to discuss non-literary matters that fall outside the course reading and the process of reading."
student3 →
student4 → I started to understand your ideas. I am not sure though what you mean by the greater good of humanity. Is it the freedom of the internet or is it the ability to think outside the American ideal? I assume you are saying his skills would have been better used to promote poorer countries. I guess we all have this problem of trying to get an idea in a small amount of words. I though the Doctorow book very USA in focus - self centred. However it was interesting the ideas of individual freedom. .....a lot of people do not have that in the world at the moment.
student5 → I like your essay, so it is really difficult for me to say something specific.
Score from your peers: 2
Please write here any other comments which you feel might be of use to you or the writer of this essay.
student3 → It's a good thing I looked at the date of your blog, because I thought you were another plagiarizer.
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