STEPPING OUTSIDE THE TEXTBOOK:
some alternative resources for assignments with suggestions on their use
PRINT RESOURCES
Newsmagazines or newspapers:
Read different articles on the same topic. Compare different perspectives, look for bias.
Examine satirical or other humorous treatment of a serious topic -- good opportunity to look beyond literal meaning.
Analyze political and other cartoons for cultural context, needed background knowledge.
Different kinds of books:
Fiction - examples include Aeneid or Gilgamesh for History 151; novel set in specific locale for Geography course to give a feel for place.
Biography -- famous scientists for science course to gain insights on scientific method; historical figure for history course (e.g., Queen Liliuokalani for Hawaiian history).
Primary sources -- historical and legal documents, diaries, letters.
Instructor-compiled textbook:
Many publishers now make it possible for faculty to pick and choose articles to create their own text -- one way to escape the straitjacket of what someone else thinks your students need.
Instructor-created online "text":
This may include self-written material as well as links to other websites. (One significant disadvantage: websites can be ephemeral so links can expire without notice.)
A variety of resources on the same subject:
Make these available in an open lab or library -- students read different versions to increase overall understanding of subject (this can include reading lower-level texts at intermediate or secondary level to help student find a "way in" to a challenging subject).
NON-PRINT RESOURCES
Films
Documentaries and feature films, viewed in class or as homework, add another dimension.
Field trips (of all kinds):
Use for scientific data collection, description, observation, etc. Specific examples include:
observation/description of Waiawa Stream by a writing class
observation of human behavior and interaction in public place such as restaurant or airport for a sociology, psychology or anthropology class
art museum or gallery critiques for an art class
report on a zoo animal for a zoology class.
Some field work provides service learning opportunities.
On-campus events that can be used as starting points for writing:
Leeward CC Theatre -- a unique campus resource
Seminars, e.g., Marine Options Program presentations, Halau 'Ike O Pu'uloa (Hawaiian culture presentations).
workshops (e.g. Success Quotient Workshops)
guest speakers in the classroom
Compiled by Beth Kupper-Herr
from discussion by LCC Writing Committee and ideas presented at workshop