I had a crabby day. The first thing I did, the morning of the 8th (after checking my email), was attempt some exercises for Think Again. I got 50%, which is the lowest score I've ever gotten in a Coursera thing, and I think the reasons I was "wrong" are bogus.
It was frustrating enough not understanding the algebra, in Model Thinking. At least I didn't *expect* that I would understand the algebra. I *hoped* I would, but I didn't *expect* it.....
I *do* expect to understand the English language, and to be familiar with its usage. If this class is going to, willy-nilly, decide that "things mean what he says they mean," I may drop it. (Here's the quote from Alice in Wonderland: "When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less.")
If that's where he's going, I'm not going along. Too, too annoying. Do *you* think that "David either swims or he plays golf" means he might do both? If it said "or," I could entertain the notion that it means both, but "either/or"? No.
Feh.
Then I listened to a lecture that was nearly 27 minutes long. With more bizarreness in language. I'll stick for a bit longer but ... sheesh. There are three more lectures for week three (which is the coming week; I'm getting ahead) that are over 25 minutes. As well as a bunch more lectures. Sigh. AND we have a quiz. And I am not having fun, which is the most salient point..............
[cleansing breath.............................]
Walking Willard. I am always surprised to see blue in the sky when we haven't had a moment of sunshine all day.
By the time I finished walking him, and was about halfway through my own walk, it was a lot darker.
.
3 comments:
Oh, Vicki, I feel your pain. ;-)
I made a 50 for the first close analysis exercise last week, then a 60 for the second. I was so annoyed at the explanations at first. Then I took 2 days off and on the 3rd I redid my whole set of notes (which admittedly were a jumble), rewatched the last two videos of week 2, and did exercise 2-8 again = 90% this time = yahooo! Then I did 2-9 = 70 = what???? Then I read and reread the explanation of the answers and figured out where we diverged (as in that snowy wood). I'm not sure I buy their way of thinking of some of the words, but, ok, I can live with it for this class.
I figured out that what I have to do is just roll with it. I remember experiencing this same thing when I look logic in college --wanting the math structure of syllogisms to make sense in the real world. When I let go of that, I did really well--and I actually think it helped me become a much better thinker in the process.
By the way, I haven't posted on any discussions yet, but I do read the ones about the lectures--Walter has an explanation of either/or as both that makes it more palatable.
Mostly I just try to let go of what I think and get into the zone of what they want me to think/say. I'm seeing it as an exercise in letting go of me to see if I can become a better thinker on the other side.
It's been very interesting in terms of seeing this from a student's point of view--especially since I haven't been a student in s.o. long. I made a few changes to my weekly video (I redo them for every semester), asked the students about them, and the feedback was positive (I made 3 short videos instead of 1 long one, using the rationale you gave me in your email).
Ok, this is a LONG comment! My whole point is thus: Don't drop! Maybe we can meet on the forum? I tried to figure out a way to find you but wasn't sure how. The forums are way too chaotic for my taste in terms of jumping in, but, if nothing else, we can email or discuss concepts here on your blog if you feel like it.
I'm going to watch the last video of week 3 in a few minutes, then take the first test tomorrow. Oh, this reminds me: When students ask me what to study for the midterm, I always say something like "Everything we've learned about so far." I now realize what a dorky answer that is--although I have far few items to learn by midterm than this course does. I have no idea what the test will be over for this class, and it's a bit unnerving!
Hang in there, girl!
Yep, that first close analysis exercise was the one I got 50% on, too. I'm still not sure I'm down with "should" being evaluative, and I AM sure that no one has deigned to give us rules that would allow us to recognize non-adjective evaluative words when we meet them.....
Rant warning:
That is one of the things that is pissing me off, big time. If they can't specify the rules, in a class on reasoning and logic.....
What, I'm supposed to take some talking head's word for it? The rules can't be codified, so I'm supposed to let him make it up as he goes along?
This sounds a good deal more like those nasty smarmy guys on late-night tv, selling a delusional bill of goods, than it sounds like Reasoning or THinking...............
I didn't sign up for Coolaid Tasting 101!
First the "should" thing, then the either/or thing (which I categorically deny can mean "both," regardless of the contorted examples he uses), and then the determination of validity requiring me to use my imagination? Seriously? So I can be wrong about whether an argument is valid because my imagination failed to present me with the proper invalidating fabrication?
This is not fun. Not at all.
I haven't been able to make myself do anything for the class since last weekend. The very notion feels like taking coarse-grit sandpaper to my brain....... You, know, sanding off all those nasty parts of me that expect logic and reason -- especially from someone teaching a class on same!!!..............
Feh.
I'm finding the fora to be another huge source of irritation.
The 'leventy billion students in THink Again are a hair's breadth from utterly overwhelming the fora's utility. SIX threads on head shaving? No. One is probably too many. There are at least four threads on "should" and at least two on "either/or."
With no within-thread search, replying sensibly is very difficult (and getting closer and closer to impossible), even if you are sure which thread you mean to add to.................
Cranky? Yes. Very. :-) This class is NOT improving my ambience!
Much better to talk in email.
I am not at all sure I'll continue with the class. I keep telling myself that I have to finish week 3 and take the quiz, but the notion of doing any of the work gives me a hive (quoting from the movie The Sure Thing).
Sigh.
Ok, off to go have lunch with a friend! At least the sun is out today. :-)
At this point in life, I figure that the things I do for fun should actually be fun. No fun = move on. ;-)
Our different reactions to the course are interesting, I think. My expectations are so much lower because I'm not taking the class for fun--and it's my first MOOC. I wanted to see what all the buzz is about in terms of MOOCs' supposedly (guarding term alert!) being the wave of the future --and learn some moves to add (or avoid) for my own online classes along the way.
So on my terms, it's been successful so far. Annoying at times--like the should issue. To me, that is an argument marker--but, ok, they say it's an evaluative term so for this class I'll accept that. Besides, they'll mark it as something else next time. ;-)
At least I can still visit you here!
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