Course Introductions
The icebreaker activity prompt and welcome email below are designed for a for-credit course on cognitive fitness:
Introductory Prompt:
In this course we will be examine how our brain learns and how to keep our brains fit and healthy. One way to do this is to create new connections in the brain by challenging ourselves to learn something new. What is one thing you would love to learn to do and why? Post a one paragraph response in the discussion forum under "Icebreaker Activity". In your response, please include your preferred name to be used during this course, let us know where you live and tell us a about a couple of your favorite hobbies. Then reply and ask a question to at least three other students. You do not need to reply to every single student.
My Response to the Introductory Prompt:
Hello! My full name is Magdalene, but you can call me Maggie. I currently live with my husband in a suburb just outside Chicago. I enjoy playing the piano and traveling. My goal is to see the all the famous botanic gardens of the world! Believe it or not, I would love to learn how to swim. Growing up I never had the opportunity to learn how to swim. Then, when I was in high school, for one quarter during freshman year gym class we had to take swimming. I thought I would finally learn, but it didn't work out. Since it was a mixed level gym class, the teacher had the older, experienced, sophomore students teach the beginning students. Well, the sophomore instructors didn't really care, and all they taught me how to do was float. So while everyone else in the class was doing laps in the pool, I was floating! Since then, I've been a little terrified to learn how to swim, and now as an adult I haven't made the time to take classes. I know someday I will learn. There's only so much floating I can do!
Introductory Email:
Hello! My name is Maggie Rouman and I will be your instructor for Cognitive Fitness (course number here). I have been teaching for over twenty years. My background is in special education/learning differences. My master's program focused on applying cognitive enhancement technologies to teaching and learning settings. I look forward to learning more about you in the weeks to come!
In the meantime, since the course does not begin until next week, you can do a few things. First, please reply to this email so I know you have received it. You can do this by clicking reply. Then in your subject line write CF (for cognitive fitness), your last name, and the subject. Then include a one line message. For example:
Subject line: CF Rouman Reply
Message: Looking forward to class!
Please use this response method for all future email communications.
Beginning this weekend (Saturday), you will be able to access the course content for Module 1 and view the syllabus. There is also a practice discussion area, if you would like to get acclimated to the online environment. Feel free to explore and play! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I look forward to learning with you!
Maggie Rouman
[email protected]
Introductory Prompt:
In this course we will be examine how our brain learns and how to keep our brains fit and healthy. One way to do this is to create new connections in the brain by challenging ourselves to learn something new. What is one thing you would love to learn to do and why? Post a one paragraph response in the discussion forum under "Icebreaker Activity". In your response, please include your preferred name to be used during this course, let us know where you live and tell us a about a couple of your favorite hobbies. Then reply and ask a question to at least three other students. You do not need to reply to every single student.
My Response to the Introductory Prompt:
Hello! My full name is Magdalene, but you can call me Maggie. I currently live with my husband in a suburb just outside Chicago. I enjoy playing the piano and traveling. My goal is to see the all the famous botanic gardens of the world! Believe it or not, I would love to learn how to swim. Growing up I never had the opportunity to learn how to swim. Then, when I was in high school, for one quarter during freshman year gym class we had to take swimming. I thought I would finally learn, but it didn't work out. Since it was a mixed level gym class, the teacher had the older, experienced, sophomore students teach the beginning students. Well, the sophomore instructors didn't really care, and all they taught me how to do was float. So while everyone else in the class was doing laps in the pool, I was floating! Since then, I've been a little terrified to learn how to swim, and now as an adult I haven't made the time to take classes. I know someday I will learn. There's only so much floating I can do!
Introductory Email:
Hello! My name is Maggie Rouman and I will be your instructor for Cognitive Fitness (course number here). I have been teaching for over twenty years. My background is in special education/learning differences. My master's program focused on applying cognitive enhancement technologies to teaching and learning settings. I look forward to learning more about you in the weeks to come!
In the meantime, since the course does not begin until next week, you can do a few things. First, please reply to this email so I know you have received it. You can do this by clicking reply. Then in your subject line write CF (for cognitive fitness), your last name, and the subject. Then include a one line message. For example:
Subject line: CF Rouman Reply
Message: Looking forward to class!
Please use this response method for all future email communications.
Beginning this weekend (Saturday), you will be able to access the course content for Module 1 and view the syllabus. There is also a practice discussion area, if you would like to get acclimated to the online environment. Feel free to explore and play! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I look forward to learning with you!
Maggie Rouman
[email protected]