Course requirements going forward

Congratulations on exceeding expectations
In the past four weeks, to my amazement, you have exceeded the course requirements for written assignments by nearly 800 percent. You were required to write one short paragraph a day, and so I planned to receive one or two pages a week from each of you.

Instead, you are writing 8-10 pages each week on average. Each week I am receiving almost 300 pages of thoughtful, analytical, and well-written work, in addition to another 70 or so pages of revised assignments. I can read and provide detailed feedback each week on 35-50 pages of work, but not 370.

Likewise, from the student's point of view, 80-100 pages of written work is too much for a 10-week course.

Blog four times a week
Because your written output has exceeded my expectations by nearly 800 percent, we must modify the requirements for this course. Instead of writing one blog entry each day, you are now required to write 4 blog entries and 4 comments on class blogs per week. (The requirement to post on one outside blog per week is unchanged).

One blog each week chosen for grading
Each week, I will choose one of your four entries to grade, and the grade you receive on that entry will be your blog writing grade for the week. If your work for the week is not uniformly high-quality, I will choose your weakest entry for grading, and you will have a chance to revise it after receiving feedback.

TIP: You can avoid the extra work of revisions by writing four strong entries each week. That way you'll simply get an "A" for the week and you're done.

Reference to readings is necessary
Please note that you must demonstrate mastery of required readings in every post. Because this class has no exams, you must demonstrate in your blog writing exactly what you have learned in this course.

In the remaining weeks, please don't force me to deduct points for off-topic posts. If you stay on-topic and maintain the high standards you have shown thus far, I can justify a final grade of "A". If I can't prove that you have read and thought about the required readings, I can't justify an "A", even if your work is otherwise excellent.

Reflecting the quality and volume of your written output during the past four weeks, my gradebook currently shows most of the class with "A" and "A+" grades. I want the final grades to be as good as what I see now. I can't do it on a whim — I must have written evidence that only you can provide. Please help me out.

Keep up the great work!

Note: You may still use each of your "Get Out of Blogging" cards once.

Update Wednesday 6:29pm
I've posted my responses to some of your questions.