So I need some honest input on the direction of the blog. 
2120 West began purely as an online version of Sunset High School’s literary magazine, and this year I have toyed with expanding it’s mission to include online journals and discussions for my AP Literature class. The problem is, I don’t know how valuable those discussions have been for anybody.
So, in thinking of the future of 2120 West, I’m thinking of the past. Give me your opinion. Should 2120 West return to it’s roots as a student literature and art blog, removing the discussion topic component, or should we stay the course? Removing the discussion topic component would, of course, mean removing that component from the grade in AP lit as well.
Let me know.
-Lindsey
To be honest Mr. Lindsey I rather enjoyed the discussion topics, sure maybe the first 6 weeks didn’t go as you would have hoped but this is the first time your trying some like this I am assuming with your class. It’s a convenient way to earn a grade and overall these’s discussions are to help us out and in a way gain some knowledge as well. My best bet would be to give it one more try, see how this next six weeks stacks up against the last six weeks and to see if their have been some improvements. Maybe one more thing, am not speaking for everyone when I suggest this but it could be helpful to some students if you one day during class you explain into more details how you want to blog to be set up, etc…
I believe that this discussion helps us in a way or other, and also its an easy way to help us improve our grade in class. I know some people don’t do this but if we think about it this is one of the easiest way to get a grade and also helps us to think and give our opinons about anything in here without having to do it in class. In my opinion this should continue.
The discussion topics are enjoyable and very thought-provoking. For those two reasons 2120west.net should stay the way it is and not go back to it’s former self. If anything I would want it to expand and include even more topics for us to discuss.
I’m guessing a lot of people either didn’t do the commenting assignment last 6 weeks or did it at the last possible moment. I hope that doesn’t discourage you Mr. Lindsey I see tons of potential in this site. Maybe if the site had a more social aspect to it more students will be drawn to go to it. Like a weekly poll or daily entry where kids can discuss different aspects about school.
Okay…sure…thier fun and enjoyable…for a time. But at the end the majority of the blog post are done to receive a grade instead of the actual purpose of the assignment, to create and understand our own life views. So Lindsey my suggestion…keep 2120 the way it is right now, with the blog post and student literature and art blog. However you should remove the grade requirement, instead make it an extra credit assignment, that way the kids who really want to use this blog can, and not have to be annoyed by those just doing for a grade. Now yes, extra credit wont the kids still just post randomly and not provide any converstation? But think of this, now it isnt a grade, kids can still use Lindsey in class success system he set up. And extra credit can be Lindsey personal approval, so just because you make a post doesnt mean you recive credit. This system allows for more open flow on the board without as many meanless comments.
Bob’s plan seems to make a lot of sense. What do the rest of you think about that?
2120 west is a english class website so offcourse not all students enjoy the assignment but as mentioned before and i agree…it should be more of an extra credit assignment rather than a required class grade. But back on the topic question, 2120west.net should stay as it is now and not go back. I enjoy discussions as a group and give different oppinions about the subject/topic. Maybe the reason why students arent really into this assignment is because they find the subject borring to talk about…if school topics or activities were brought up, maybe more participation would occur.. But in my opinion, i enjoy the assignment aswell as the websiste…
The new discussions are more interesting and more controversial. I think the students write with more feeling because the blog is about stuff they actually care about. Even if they dont care these topics make you think a littel before you write. I would be dissappointed if this site goes back in time i say look to the future and get new and more controversial topics.
As a freshmen, my P-AP English teacher encouraged our class to get on his discussion board and comment on books that we had read in class. This was fun especially when we engaged in those very interesting topics. Our teacher even gave us time in class to get on the blog and make comments. It was something that me and my classmates really enjoyed and now I feel priviledged to have the opportunity to be a part of and contribute to the 2120 West blog.
Mr.Lindsey, as a new student to your class I find 2120 West a great part of your cirriculum. It is a way for us students to convey our opinions as well as to better our writing skills. Although some of the topics are rather complex and seeing the previous comments which almost literally take the words out of your mouth we (I) find it hard to reply. But, I do enjoy viewing my peers thoughts and opinions. I do agree with Mr.Pacheco “Maybe if the site had a more social aspect ..” to it and topics in which we as students can all relate to I believe it would open our horizons and we would feel heavily complied to express ourselves. As for Mr.Steffey, great idea… I believe as AP students it is our responsibility to complete the work and not only do it but in a scholarly way. In saying that Mr.Lindsey, 2120 West is good as is and none changes should be made for those who do not comply should suffer with a bad grade!! ..(hehe)
well i think in my opinion that 2120 should stay the way it is, i really enjoy having discussions. Its also a good way of giving us an opportunity to get an easy hundred and it helps us all. and well basically its pretty funny and fun to look at oother peoples opinions and when the conversations go over board! so i think you should keep 2120 west the way it is, a nice easy relaxed assignment.
I agree that the majority do it for the grade. However, many would want or need the extra credit, therefore leaving the issue of meaningless comments unsolved. Regardless of whether the extra credit is accepted or not, a portion of those comments will most likely continue to be posted. Many comments were meaningless due to procrastination. This six weeks seems to be more organized due to the two week deadlines. Let time determine whether that change has made a difference.
I like the discussions. I’ve never had an assignment like this where all i have to do is express my views. I enjoy the assignment although i try not to see it as an assignment, i rather look at it as an open space where i can get my mind thinking and my fingers typing on something interesting and productive. I think it helps me realize my point of view on different aspects, and its good to know your stand on things its actually something necessary everyone should know about themselves. I say Keep.
So here’s how I think we’re going to do it to keep the blog valuable to the people who are in to it, and to avoid junk comments from people who aren’t: from now on, during the six weeks, I will look at all of the comments made, and the exceptional comments will get honorable mentions (and a bonus 100 Common Grade for each honorable mention). If, and only if, there is one extremely outstanding comment, it will be recognized as the best comment of the six weeks (and will be awarded a 100 Exceptional Grade). This starts now.
lindsey. i think we should also have one day in the six weeks where we discuss some of these in class. i think more students would start to participate. not just for the grade. but because they want their voice to be heard.
I agree with Bob. The blog should be kept like it is and let those who keep up with the topics get the extra credit if approved. I know I try to keep up but sometmies I don’t get a chance to comment but I do read the blogs. I think what Mr.Lindsey is doing is great so I say keep it up!!
the blog as it is now is a great accessory to discuss current world events and give are opinion on them , the blog should be kept how it is the people that enjoy an open discussion with their classmates will continue to do so and the extra credit is just something to thank us for our opinion as long as the opinions are not total b s ,so in closing the blog does not need any changing but the way the comments are graded .
i believe that the 2120 west is a great way to earn points for your class Mr.Lindsey… i mean everybody likes argue with one another over the topic which is funny and sophisticated. It is also a great way to speak your mind over the topics… So the website shoud stay how it is and just keep on adding blogs so we can comment them.
Personally, I love the idea of the blog. I remember when I was a 10th grader in Mr. Lindsey’s English II Pre-AP class, he first introduced the idea of a literary website, where students could contribute their original masterpieces, such as poems, artwork, videos, etc., and at first I thought it was an idea which would never catch on. I love that now 2120 West is an online blog where Sunset students can share their ideas (because many of us don’t have any other talents….lol just kidding). I hope that this website stays as it is, so future students will have the opportunity to reap its benefits
i think having the opportunity of having online discussions is great. we can express our thoughts and ideas down clearly and confidently, without interruptions. we can also get feed back from other students from other class periods which is a bonus. but best of all, i find the comments of other students on this blog to be insight and meaningful.
2120 should be in the future presence. Doing online discussions is really good and sometimes exciting because we get to express how and what we think of a certain topic or image. This blogging online is a great experience. There could be so many other things added. Everything is better when working online we have our own pace to write about a certain topic instead of sometimes being in a rush. 2120 doesn’t need to be back in presence its always something good to learn about new things and ideas on diffrent types of topics.
2120 should be in the future presence. Doing online discussions is really good and sometimes exciting because we get to express how and what we think of a certain topic or image. This blogging online is a great experience. There could be so many other things added. Everything is better when working online we have our own pace to write about a certain topic instead of sometimes being in a rush. 2120 doesn’t need to be back in presence its always something good to learn about new things and ideas on diffrent types of topics. So lets keep the 2120 in the “future” presence
!!!