Conclusions

I’m really glad I took this course; it’s taught me so much and met the playful expectations I had when I learned that it was called hopscotch and drinks were involved. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to actually get a hold of most of the beverages but I did manage to watch the lectures and always sip along… even some of the relevant drinks a couple times, the beer, the milk, the hot chocolate, my substituted Marinda for a Fanta. Overall, this course has been different from every course I’ve taken in so many positive ways. From working backwards in choosing our grade and corresponding adventure to being able to just take a week off really put me in charge of my own learning and made me more accountable for my education. It’s also opened me up to content (readings, movies, music) I would unlikely have picked up on my own and actually really enjoyed some of them. Once I got past the first couple of readings and got into the routine, I actually looked forward to my reading days. I’ve also somehow come to see myself picking up a book and reading for pleasure now. I’d say the most important things I’ve learned are how to approach, enjoy and discuss new approaches to reality and storytelling.

The high stakes of the contract and need to take handwritten notes are where I have the dilemma as to whether they were positive or not. I know losing two whole letter grades really made me push myself to new limits to get the work done on time. However, I gotten off to a rough start, as the formatting of the course was different so I missed the first deadlines and a an additional one, waking up the next morning realizing my submission hadn’t gone through. These were both pretty major blows. In addition, finishing the semester without almost any notes on the discussions really doesn’t make me feel prepared to write an exam. If I could recommend any changes for a future delivery of the course so students are more likely to succeed, I would suggest, including specific due dates (day & month) in the contract in addition to the week number, allow typed notes and a transparent one or two strike system to the contract. Just to end it off, these things don’t take away from the course being one of the most fulfilling I’ve taken during my degree at UBC. Thank you to Professor Beasley-Murray, Daniel and my fellow classmates for making this such a positive experience.