Please respond with one number — either 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1.
5 being “strongly agree,” and 1 being “strongly disagree.”

1.  I am satisfied with the workshop leader’s teaching skill. 4
2.  I am satisfied with this workshop leader’s communication skill. 4
3.  I learned a lot from this workshop leader. 5
4.  I would recommend this workshop to others. 5
5.  I would take an advanced version of this workshop. 4

1. What did you enjoy about the workshop? Please explain.

Assignments well crafted and useful. Readings well selected. Often found the comments and suggestions of other participants useful. Overall climate of workshop supportive and very helpful in getting me to move forward in my writing. John’s guidance and experience in writing, knowledge of Peace Corps writing and skill in applying his knowledge to our submissions were the key to making this a valuable experience.

Workshop put the overall task of writing a PC book into context. This was extremely valuable and helped me focus and think about how to approach the task.

2. How could the workshop be improved? Please explain.

- Smaller group, possibly 5-6. I found it difficult to keep all the people and places separate. Also, it often took far too much of my time to read and comment satisfactorily on others’ writing.

- I would have preferred a hard-hitting, more critical feedback approach. Some participants did this diplomatically and well but I sensed a holding back (or just lack of effort) on the part of some participants.

- List of additional PC books of good quality sent out in advance (months before) that could be consulted. Would be good to be able to have access to summary of book contents and reviews (hot links) so we could consult these prior to course.

- Revision of approach to the chat room.

3. What were the reasons you signed up for this workshop?

To get ideas on writing for a wider, non-academic audience;
To learn more about the craft of writing.
To learn about writing a PC book.

4. Did this workshop provide information that was valuable to you? Please explain.

Yes, valuable information. I learned the basic elements of writing “creative non-fiction” and the lessons have made later reading more useful. It improved my critical reading skills and provided valuable concepts and tools to create a book.

5. How did this workshop compare with other training you have had?

I never had a prior writing course. This was an excellent start - well paced and well designed.

6. Was the workshop a good value? How does it compare with the cost of other workshops you may have investigated?

Excellent value but I cannot compare to other courses. I have read a few books on writing but this course truly helped me move ahead.

7. Please write any comments you have about the teacher? His presentation format? His communication skills?

Good format and communication skills. Biggest issue is that I (and I think all) wanted (needed?) more one on one with John.

8. Do you have any comments about the weekly written Lessons? Assignments? Writers’ interviews?

Selection of topics and assignments good and appropriate.
Assignments were appropriate and I found the opportunity for rewrites useful. Would have liked more on character development.

Writers’ interviews very useful.

How was the timing of these?

Seemed good.

9. What are your thoughts about the computer on-line aspect of this workshop?

About the effectiveness of the weekly forums and feedback system?

Some of the feedback excellent and a great help. In general, good to get others’ views but only 2-4 of the weekly comments were useful. I believe the large size of the group made it difficult for all to put in the necessary time to adequately read, digest and make comments.

About the effectiveness of the weekly evening one-hour chats?

This was weakest part although this must be viewed in the context of the 3-4:00 AM time period. I did not find the chats very useful. Would have preferred more focus, fewer participants. Have thought about how to improve this component but have not come up with any good ideas. Part of the problem may be generational – no line chatting not something I engage in.

The day of the week, the time of day? Please explain.

Day of week good, time of day (3 AM) less than perfect but this is the price I must pay for living in France.

10. You participated in this workshop with other people. Was their feedback a benefit or not? Please explain.

Feedback often very useful. Often had questions for the writer but the format did not allow for enough interaction to get these answered. Found it beneficial to have large variation in ages and country of service. Comments by others helped me identify what I was taking for granted and how I needed to develop background information.

11. The leader provided feedback on your writing. Was this a benefit or not? Please explain.

Good feedback. Biggest difficulty/shortcoming was the lack of opportunity for one on one discussion.

12. Please write any other general comments you have about the workshop that will be helpful to us.

Anyone considering writing a book on their Peace corps experience should take this course. .

13. May we publish on our website, Peace Corps Writers, your name and quotes from your comments about this workshop as a way to inform other RPCVs of the value of this course?

Yes

14. Please provide your name.

Reinaldo; Ronald A Schwarz (Colombia One 1961-63).