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Micro-Courses

Micro-Courses . Academic Communications : : Shelley Meisner. What is a Micro-Course?. Let’s go to my web site and check it out!. Bonnie’s Van Gogh Project. Bonnie was drawn to doing a micro-course based in painting and art.

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Micro-Courses

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  1. Micro-Courses Academic Communications : : Shelley Meisner

  2. What is a Micro-Course? Let’s go to my web site and check it out!

  3. Bonnie’s Van Gogh Project • Bonnie was drawn to doing a micro-course based in painting and art. • Inspired by one the art posters in the classroom, she decided to focus on Van Gogh. • Her research paper was a biography of Vincent Van Gogh drawing from numerous resources. • Her class presentation was guided by a power point version of her research paper. She successfully fielded numerous questions from her classmates. • The art piece was a group of paintings done in the style of Van Gogh by Bonnie herself and her children. Here’s a look at these works of art...!

  4. By Bonnie’s youngest (four years old)

  5. By Bonnie’s 11 year old

  6. By Bonnie!

  7. Sybil’s Jewellery Project • A January grad, Sybil decided to do her micro-course on jewellery, focusing on its history and social significance throughout the ages. • Her research paper was a brief history of jewellery, touching upon historical figures, materials used, and modern design directions. • Her art piece was a lovely bracelet she made herself (and kindly gifted to me). • Her presentation was a Jeopardy-style quiz show she devised herself in power point; class members took part in the question & answer period that was based in Sybil’s research.

  8. JR’s Battle of the Atlantic Project • As an employee of the Halifax Citadel, JR is a big military buff (and aspiring teacher), so he chose to focus on the Battle of the Atlantic. • His excellent paper outlined the importance of the navy and Canada’s role during WWII. • His presentation to the class was a Google Earth trip around key locations described in his paper, demonstrating the connections among places, times and events. • His “product” was a video game he designed and programmed himself wherein the player could sink ships on the surface with submarine fire. We all played it!

  9. Marie-France’s Africville Project • Marie wanted to do a micro-course based in African Canadian history, so she decided to narrow down her interest in this subject to Africville. • Her research paper focused generally on the events surrounding the eviction of Africville residents in the late 1960s. • Her presentation was ongoing as she worked on her art piece in class, explaining the depiction and its significance. • Her art piece (currently on display in my classroom) is a pastel painting of the Africville church which was rebuilt last fall. Here’s what it looks like...

  10. Enos’ Free Will vs. Determinism Project • An outstanding Academic Comm student, Enos tended to up the ante with everything he did in my class (I looked forward to his journal every week!) • Based on personal interests in Physics and Philosophy, he wrote a challenging and insightful paper dealing with free will vs. determinism in the context of quantum physics and string theory. Oh yes he did! • His paper explored his perceived overlap between the physical world and the human condition. • His art piece/presentation was a movie he made with original photo-shop images to reflect the core tenets of his theories, transformed to poetry form.

  11. Honorable Mentions • Jonathan’s project comparing and contrasting Romantic Era English poets with the events of French Revolution. His class presentation was a knockout! • Katelyn’s photo essay of the alphabet depicted by items beginning with each letter. Kate is a skilled photographer! • Jacob’s EPIC art piece comprised of elaborately detailed illustrations that will eventually make up a short animation (in progress).

  12. Why Micro-Courses work: • Students select topics they are truly interested in. • They can tap into prior knowledge or pursue skills they’ve wanted to gain. I like to tell them, “You become an expert in your topic.” • The art piece allows for expression and relaxation, adding a solid dimension to the sometimes ephemeral, esoteric nature of research. • When students share their knowledge with each other they gain public speaking experience and the audience gets an amazing lesson in what is likely a new subject. • The art piece is a source of pride and a tangible reminder of all their hard work.

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