I had few expectations for this class when I registered, excepting that I knew the instructor and really
enjoyed her teaching style and methods. I had never taken an online class before, so my opinion had no where to go but up.
"I'm a pessimistic optimist," I love to keep expectations low so I'm always pleasantly suprised. And I was pleasently suprised
with this online class.
The novels chosen for this class were unique and interesting. I had never read any of them before, and that's
saying something. I tend to devour whatever's laying in front of me. The Bonesetter's Daughter was a beautiful story
in imagery and depth of meaning. A Lesson Before Dying is a novel that everyone, everywhere should read. It is a
story about life, not death, and how to transcend pain and doubt. Interpreter of Maladies fascinated me with its
universal stories told by familiar people. I absolutely love short story collections, and it is already one of my favorites.
I wanted to immediately enjoy Beloved, but I was so confused and sickened by the story, I forgot to enjoy it. My
second reading was much better and I was able to appreciate Morrison's writing in spite of this horrifying subject. House
Made of Dawn made me feel the same way, like I was just skimming the surface of an incredible story. I did enjoy the
imagery of the people and places, I felt like I was reading a Steinbeck or Faulkner novel. And as an aside, Momaday's play,
The Indolent Boys, made its world premiere in 1994 at the Syracuse Stage in Syracuse, NY, my hometown! I saw To
Kill a Mockingbird performed there in 1997 and it changed my life. I was a little disappointed in The Indian
Lawyer. I felt like the characters where one dimensional and the climax was very disappointing. I never felt like
I "got into" the story. With the pressure of having to read and critically analyze seven novels in six weeks, I was glad I
bought them in June and read ahead. I read each book at least twice and was very thankful I found the time to.
I was equally impressed with the moodles' ease of use, especially for a techniphobe like myself. I
had no problems what so ever with it, except maybe that the URL was impossible to remember. I would have liked an instant
message function so that we could know when other classmates are on and chat live. The format worked well for me
and I would be happy to take another course usuing the moodle site.
The virtual classroom was an excellent experience. I loved being able to work when I wanted to and still
be able to participate with ongoing discussions. All of our ideas, questions and answers are right there for all to see and
have access to. That made writing papers and completing the final project much easier. Our discussions were provocative, insightful,
controversial and uplifting. Each student had a different point of view and were able to enlighten other's conversations.
I felt like we were truely able to come together as a virtual community, in a comfortable setting, and give voice to
our opinions and even our dreams of future careers and aspirations. I also learned a new skill in the process when I
created this website as my final project. The thought of creating one intimidated me, but I took a fellow student's suggestion
and found a great publishing site. This skill will be very important to me in my editing or photography career, or both
should I be so lucky.
Through reading these culturally diverse and creatively beautiful novels I have learned to peel back
and examine the layers of thoughts, feelings, meanings, and history that each story has to share with me.
