This document outlines the assignments and activities for a college English course. It includes weekly reading quizzes, discussion board forums on topics related to the course readings, VoiceThread presentations where students comment on slides, and various essay assignments including narrative, argumentative, and synthesis essays. Students are expected to incorporate concepts from the course readings into their written work and discussions. The portfolio presentation and final assignment encourage students to reflect on how to apply what they've learned to their ongoing college experience.

1. What the Best College
Students Do
Denise Maduli-Williams
English 49 Flex Meeting
Fall 2016

5. Weekly Reading Quizzes
 Short answer or multiple choice
 Quick-checks for comprehension only
 Low stakes

6. Discussion Board Forums
 3 Choices.
 Primary Post to One
 Two replies in any Forum
 Refer to the book.

7. Sample 1
People: Throughout his book, Ken Bain introduces
the reader to a number of people, and shares their
stories, backgrounds, and history. Choose one
person presented in Chapters 1 and 2, and write
about what interested you, surprised you, and/or
caught your attention. How do you relate to this
person’s story? Please do not simply summarize
information about the person, but relate your own
opinions, ideas, and/or arguments to what you
learned about the person.

8. Sample 2
An Inanimate Object: This forum is based on the
activity students in Bain’s example did on page
17. Pick at inanimate object from nature and write
descriptively about it. Write everything you can
about it: its color, texture, lines, mass, and rhythm.
Look at it from different angles and really describe
it. Give it a mood, dialogue, and more - the idea is
to describe it as creatively and closely as
possible! (Please include a photo of the object for
full credit.)

9. Sample 3
Styles of Learning: In pages 34-
36, Bain presents research on three types of
learners: surface, deep, and strategic. What is
your response to these styles? Do you identify
with one (or more) type(s)? Which type of
learning are you most curious about, or have
questions about? Be sure to respond with
personal opinions and ideas, and not just define
each type.

10. VoiceThreads
 Voice or Webcam Only
 6-7 slides presented
 Students comment on 4 slides
 Refer to the book

11. Voicethread 2

12. Voicethread 3

13. Essays
 Build upon each chapter
 Bring in additional sources
 Reflective of their learning process

14. Narrative Multi-Draft
Write about a time you were
successful (or not) at something that
mattered to you.

15. Narrative Timed
Write about a time you taught someone something
specific. OR Write about a time
you learned something specific. Please choose
a specific learning or teaching experience or event that
took place in a small window of time, not something
that took place over a wide range of years. In your
narrative essay, include ideas and concepts from
Chapters 1-4 of What the Best College Students
Do that you applied (or did not apply) to your learning
or teaching experience. (For example, fixed or growth
mindset, different brains, mindfulness, bias, and so
on).

16. Argumentative Synthesis
What do you argue as the key(s) to
succeeding in different aspects of life
(school, work, relationships,
parenting, family, lifestyle,
etc.)? Why?
Give specific examples from our
book, supplementary sources and
from your personal experience.

17. Argumentative Timed
Write an argumentative essay that
presents and explains what college
students must do, believe, and/or
think to get the most out of their
college experience.

18. Portfolio Presentations

19. Moving Forward