February 1, 2020 The fall of Rome and the barbarian invasions

Thanks for your responses yesterday. I'm thinking about how I can use some of your suggestions. For instance, though some of you really enjoy so far the lectures and the notes, others have said that it gets a bit repetitive hearing the same voice and/or the notes are too easy. I had already planned to bring in other voices to present some topics, which I'll begin to do. Also, I will gradually make the note outlines more general. There will be less detail so you will have to become more skilled at capturing important points. 

We will vary the pattern of lectures and bring in some short videos to make topics more lively. I'm thinking about kinds of games and activities like Kahoot. I will revise my ideas about testing. Every two weeks is probably too often. My thought at the moment is to test you every six weeks and give you a heads up on the most important topics.

A couple of you would like to do an in-depth essay; others would like to do projects. Maybe we can allow both to do what they prefer. I will give it more thought.

Today, we'll watch a short video that illustrates the fall of Rome and the barbarian role in ending the Western empire. Then, we will take notes on the first part of the Barbarians lecture, which we will finish on Monday.

January 31, 2020 Feedback

Welcome back!

Before we get going on the barbarians, I would like you to give me some thoughts about history and about how I've been teaching this class so far.

The more detailed your answers, the better. 

When you are done, watch the powerpoint on the upper right of the blog, "The Middle Ages: Introduction and Overview". 

When everyone is done, leave your papers in a pile. Do not write your names on the paper. 

Come and get me.

Jan 10: Instructions about Timelines and what's coming up

On the right of this blog, you will find a link to the ppt example I showed you in class today. There's a great visual timeline on the left. From about the 8 minute mark to the 12th covers our period.

This is the kind of information I want on your timelines. If you've already completed yours beyond number 8, Justinian, you are ahead of the game. You may have included more detail than I have here, which is fine. Just make sure you have at least what I is in my example. Note that I am giving both the centuries and the  dates when Emperors ruled, not the birth/death dates. If you have done birth/death, that's ok.

We will add to your timeline ppt as we go along. Notice I included general times for lectures 5 and 6, barbarians, Franks and Goths. No need for details right now, but if you've already included some, that' good!

On Monday, give me your draft up to and including Justinian. Include your initials on the usbs so I can return them to you. 

Though this is a first draft, it will be part of the grade for your final draft, so do your best.

 Keep your notes and lecture overviews in good order and review them after each class. This will help you a lot when it comes to tests.