One Book One Topic
23.05.2011
Department of Foreign Languages
‘ One Book One Topic’ Activities
A collective reading activity called ‘One Book One Topic’ has been initiated in 2012 spring term at Atılım University. This activity is based on a specifically chosen book to be read and shared by the whole campus population .
The purpose is to form a common culture and a common platform of discussion based on reading the same book, to enable that the students get to know each other, socialize, learn how to tolerate differences, and enjoy a peaceful learning atmosphere through participating in various activities.
This activity, which is applied in different and various ways in numerous universities around the world and called ‘community reading events’,was first shared and addressed at Atılım University in October 2011 during Teacher Development Workshops. Upon discussing the issue for a long time, faculty members at Education Technologies and Pedagogy Office (ETPO) have decided that such a collective reading project and sharing activity would contribute to the unity of the Atılım culture. After that Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs written upon his death was chosen to be read as it was a popular subject at that time .
The facts that the book has both Turkish and English versions at sale in our country, and it involves themes like technology, success in entrepreneurship, failure, coping strategies, rationality, and ambition have been among the deciding factors while choosing the book. In addition, its offering grounds for all kinds of objective praise and criticism, and having a nature that is not factious and does not display excessive feelings have been especially effective in the decision-making process.
This activity was announced to the overall university population electronically via ETPO and individually by ETPO members, and each and every department was advised to hold activities within itself.
The One Book One Topic activity was handled quite seriously and in an organized manner at Department of Foreign Languages. A collaborative process was experienced by the staff and one staff member was assigned to prepare various activities regarding the subject during the semester break between fall and spring terms. Activities were prepared for encouraging reading in English, and other instructors planned to carry out activities in their classes as long as their programs allowed. These activities were shared with other faculty members in ETPO web page.
These activities could be gathered under 3 groups:
1. Activities carried out during the classes
In Eng 212 report writing class, exercises were made regarding the references about the texts in the book.
In Eng 202 presentation class, presentations about Steve Jobs were examined .
In Eng 104, Eng 111, and Mim 110 classes mini presentations were made about the books that the students have read.
2. Activities carried out outside the classes
a. Questionnaire: A short questionnaire was sent to students and their opinions regarding One Book One Topic (1K 1K) were asked.
1. 1K1K:
http://etpo.atilim.edu.tr/anket/index.php?sid=25845&lang=tr
(Click the above link for the questionnaire.)
b. Apple tree made of foam A board was offered to students’ use so that they could stick some ‘apple’ post-its which contain their own ideas about Steve Jobs. This sketch tree made of foam was designed and produced by sophomore students of Faculty of Fine Arts, Design, and Architecture Department of Graphic Design, under the supervision of their instructor Azimet Karaman.
c. Wall board; Foreign students carried out wall paper activities within their Turkish course activities.
d. A live tree was usedfor hanging apple post-its with Steve Jobs’ aphorisms written over them.
3. Writing contest: A writing-essay contest was held in two categories about Steve Jobs’ saying ‘Everything happens for a reason’. Freshman and sophomore students studying departmental English courses were advised to attend this contest. (See the Announcement)
A total of 90 students attended the contest. The students who had attended the contest and been entitled as contenders were awarded 3 points to be added to their final English grades. The winners were offered D&R cheques according to their final place. A certificate was also given to the students who were placed in the contest at the Lap project festival . The certificate is sampled below.
As a result, One Book One Topic (1B 1T) activity has been an interesting and exciting event for the instructors and students of the Department of Foreign Languages. We congratulate all the instructors who had initiated this event, prepared the relevant activities, applied them effectively, evaluated the essays and all the attending students and wish for their continued success. We also offer our thanks to the staff members of ETPO and instructors and students of Faculty of Fine Arts Department of Graphic Design. We also offer our gratitude to our Landscape Architect Esra Işıkhan who provided and permitted a live tree to be kept within the building.
You can see the list of students who were placed in the competition below.
You can read the essays of the placed students if you click on their names.
F.GUVEN
You can also see the related photos below.
‘ One Book One Topic’ Activities
A collective reading activity called ‘One Book One Topic’ has been initiated in 2012 spring term at Atılım University. This activity is based on a specifically chosen book to be read and shared by the whole campus population .
The purpose is to form a common culture and a common platform of discussion based on reading the same book, to enable that the students get to know each other, socialize, learn how to tolerate differences, and enjoy a peaceful learning atmosphere through participating in various activities.
This activity, which is applied in different and various ways in numerous universities around the world and called ‘community reading events’,was first shared and addressed at Atılım University in October 2011 during Teacher Development Workshops. Upon discussing the issue for a long time, faculty members at Education Technologies and Pedagogy Office (ETPO) have decided that such a collective reading project and sharing activity would contribute to the unity of the Atılım culture. After that Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs written upon his death was chosen to be read as it was a popular subject at that time .
The facts that the book has both Turkish and English versions at sale in our country, and it involves themes like technology, success in entrepreneurship, failure, coping strategies, rationality, and ambition have been among the deciding factors while choosing the book. In addition, its offering grounds for all kinds of objective praise and criticism, and having a nature that is not factious and does not display excessive feelings have been especially effective in the decision-making process.
This activity was announced to the overall university population electronically via ETPO and individually by ETPO members, and each and every department was advised to hold activities within itself.
The One Book One Topic activity was handled quite seriously and in an organized manner at Department of Foreign Languages. A collaborative process was experienced by the staff and one staff member was assigned to prepare various activities regarding the subject during the semester break between fall and spring terms. Activities were prepared for encouraging reading in English, and other instructors planned to carry out activities in their classes as long as their programs allowed. These activities were shared with other faculty members in ETPO web page.
These activities could be gathered under 3 groups:
1. Activities carried out during the classes
In Eng 212 report writing class, exercises were made regarding the references about the texts in the book.
In Eng 202 presentation class, presentations about Steve Jobs were examined .
In Eng 104, Eng 111, and Mim 110 classes mini presentations were made about the books that the students have read.
2. Activities carried out outside the classes
a. Questionnaire: A short questionnaire was sent to students and their opinions regarding One Book One Topic (1K 1K) were asked.
1. 1K1K:
http://etpo.atilim.edu.tr/anket/index.php?sid=25845&lang=tr
(Click the above link for the questionnaire.)
b. Apple tree made of foam A board was offered to students’ use so that they could stick some ‘apple’ post-its which contain their own ideas about Steve Jobs. This sketch tree made of foam was designed and produced by sophomore students of Faculty of Fine Arts, Design, and Architecture Department of Graphic Design, under the supervision of their instructor Azimet Karaman.
c. Wall board; Foreign students carried out wall paper activities within their Turkish course activities.
d. A live tree was usedfor hanging apple post-its with Steve Jobs’ aphorisms written over them.
3. Writing contest: A writing-essay contest was held in two categories about Steve Jobs’ saying ‘Everything happens for a reason’. Freshman and sophomore students studying departmental English courses were advised to attend this contest. (See the Announcement)
A total of 90 students attended the contest. The students who had attended the contest and been entitled as contenders were awarded 3 points to be added to their final English grades. The winners were offered D&R cheques according to their final place. A certificate was also given to the students who were placed in the contest at the Lap project festival . The certificate is sampled below.
As a result, One Book One Topic (1B 1T) activity has been an interesting and exciting event for the instructors and students of the Department of Foreign Languages. We congratulate all the instructors who had initiated this event, prepared the relevant activities, applied them effectively, evaluated the essays and all the attending students and wish for their continued success. We also offer our thanks to the staff members of ETPO and instructors and students of Faculty of Fine Arts Department of Graphic Design. We also offer our gratitude to our Landscape Architect Esra Işıkhan who provided and permitted a live tree to be kept within the building.
You can see the list of students who were placed in the competition below.
You can read the essays of the placed students if you click on their names.
F.GUVEN
| ENG 104 GROUP | ||||
| Grading | Student's Name&Surname | Course | Department | Faculty |
| 1. | Mohamed Elkhutini | ENG104-01 | Bilgisayar Mühendisliği | MÜHENDİSLİK |
| 2. | İ.Furkan Hücüptan | ENG104-06 | İnşaat Mühendisliği | MÜHENDİSLİK |
| 3. | Aytaç Güner | ENG104-02 | Elektrik-Elektronik Müh. | MÜHENDİSLİK |
| Honorary Mention | Serdar Tunguç | ENG104-05 | Otomotiv Mühendisliği | MÜHENDİSLİK |
| ENG 202-212 GROUP | ||||
| Grading | Student's Name&Surname | Course | Department | Faculty |
| 1. | Samar Fawaz Aburamadan | ENG202-01 | İşletme | İŞLETME |
| 2. | Afra Esma Orhan | ENG202-05 | Psikoloji | FEN-EDEBİYAT |
| 3. | Alp Eren Bütün | ENG212-08 | Yazılım Mühendisliği | MÜHENDİSLİK |
| Honorary Mention | Kübra Coşkun | ENG212-16 | Elektrik-Elektronik Müh. | MÜHENDİSLİK |
You can also see the related photos below.