ACCESS GRADES
The Workshop Classroom

What is a "Workshop"?

This course revolves around a semester-long client project that will require a high level of teamwork and cooperation between all the students enrolled in this course. To facilitate this teamwork, I have designed the course around a workshop model that encourages hands-on, "active" learning. In practical terms, this means that many class periods are designated as full or partial workshop sessions. On some days I will lecture for about half of the class period; the second half of these class periods will be taken up by "formal" workshops in which students will complete an in-class project by the end of the class period. Other days will be full or "informal" workshop session where students will spend the class period working on various tasks for the client projects we are completing.

How will workshops be graded?

Each workshop session is worth 2% of your grade for the semester. There are 15 workshop sessions. This means that 30% of your grade is determined by basic attendence and participation in the workshop feature of the course.

Formal workshops will sometimes require a short assignment be completed by the end of the class period. This assignment will received a pass/fail grade. If students are present and complete the assignment in a satisfactory manner, they will receive the full credit. Students who do not complete the assignment will receive no credit for the workshop that day.

What are the workshop "rules"?

The following rules apply to workshop sessions:

  • Workshops cannot be made up due to absence. This policy is firm and non-negotiable, so please refrain from asking me for workshop makeups.
  • Students are expected to actively and enthusiastically participate in workshop sessions.
  • There is no partial credit given for workshops.
  • Students must be present for the entire class period in order to receive credit for workshop.
  • Laptop computers can be used as a powerful learning tool; they can also become a powerful distraction in the classroom. My policy about laptop usage is simple: Students who use laptop computers for personal use during class time will lose credit for the workshop that day. If the practice continues, I reserve the right to reduce the student's course grade by and entire letter grade.