Despite a couple issues in communication, I think that the MUSE class has been going alright so far. I appriciate the work that Professor Dan does to make up for when he is unable to come to class, and how peer mentor Anna works hard to make the class fun for everyone. So far, our class peer mentor has helped form our syllabus, cleared up confusion on homework assignments, and even took the time to learn our names.
I can't say I've learned much from the course, though. The title "Get Internet Famous" doesn't really cover what we've done, which is using blog entries as means of submitting homework. But recent promises of video projects and computer terms make me more optimistic.
9/30/09
Peer Mentor/MUSE evaluation
Chapter 4 & 5
Chapter 4's approach to helping students get the most out of learning was by providing several lists of common personality categories and types of learning styles. I suppose that the goal of this chapter is to have students understand how they learn best, so that they can utilize their best ways of learning. I noticed that my two top strengths in intelligence, somehow, came to be tied at interpersonal and intrapersonal, which kinda contradict each other in concept (one suggests introversion while the other suggests extraversion). I never take such tests seriously, becuase my scores are generally all across the board.
Chapter 5 tought us how to think. Seriously. Most of it was simple, common sense knowledge, such as knowing when and how to determine if something that you hear is made up or real. But some people lack common sense, so I suppose it helps. It does helpfully explain how to state an argument, though. After a long quiz, I found out that I am classified as an information "consumer", which insultingly tells me that I can't gain knowledge outside of memorization.
My favorite title from chapter 5: "Avoid Making Bad Choices"
Chapter 5 tought us how to think. Seriously. Most of it was simple, common sense knowledge, such as knowing when and how to determine if something that you hear is made up or real. But some people lack common sense, so I suppose it helps. It does helpfully explain how to state an argument, though. After a long quiz, I found out that I am classified as an information "consumer", which insultingly tells me that I can't gain knowledge outside of memorization.
My favorite title from chapter 5: "Avoid Making Bad Choices"
9/24/09
Chapter 9 - Plagiarism, writing, and speaking
This chapter in 6 words: What to say and not say.
The first thing covered in the chapter is writing. While I'm not the strongest writer in the world, I'd say that one of my biggest strengths is keeping my writing structured and easy to read. If you have an easily understandable thesis, then an easily understandable essay with divisions of proof and evidence will soon follow. The only issue I have is explaining quotations and facts from outside sources. While past teachers have told me that even a couple sentences can't sufficiently explain outside information, I have difficulty getting past just one sentence. I'll try seeing how else I can explain facts and relate them to my paper the next time I have a writing assignment.
I am pretty freaking good at public speaking. Having been in a speech and debate club in high school, I've had experience in reciting, writing, editing, and perfecting speeches and acts. What's difficult for me to do is practice reciting speeches word for word, because I usually tend to paraphrase or speak on the fly about my subjects. Granted, I do many practice runs before each official speech, but I don't stick to a specfic script. Although, the book makes a point for me to remember to know the audience that I'm speaking to, so I can know what sort of language, formal or informal, to use.
The "what not to say" portion of this chapter covers plagiarism. While it's definitely not worthwhile to go ahead and copy, or even paraphrase, what another source says without proper citation, it's important to know that even those who don't mean to steal can plagiarize without knowing it. Make sure to explain and site the source of your information, or face legal consequences, possibly including jail time.
And that's no good.
The first thing covered in the chapter is writing. While I'm not the strongest writer in the world, I'd say that one of my biggest strengths is keeping my writing structured and easy to read. If you have an easily understandable thesis, then an easily understandable essay with divisions of proof and evidence will soon follow. The only issue I have is explaining quotations and facts from outside sources. While past teachers have told me that even a couple sentences can't sufficiently explain outside information, I have difficulty getting past just one sentence. I'll try seeing how else I can explain facts and relate them to my paper the next time I have a writing assignment.
I am pretty freaking good at public speaking. Having been in a speech and debate club in high school, I've had experience in reciting, writing, editing, and perfecting speeches and acts. What's difficult for me to do is practice reciting speeches word for word, because I usually tend to paraphrase or speak on the fly about my subjects. Granted, I do many practice runs before each official speech, but I don't stick to a specfic script. Although, the book makes a point for me to remember to know the audience that I'm speaking to, so I can know what sort of language, formal or informal, to use.
The "what not to say" portion of this chapter covers plagiarism. While it's definitely not worthwhile to go ahead and copy, or even paraphrase, what another source says without proper citation, it's important to know that even those who don't mean to steal can plagiarize without knowing it. Make sure to explain and site the source of your information, or face legal consequences, possibly including jail time.
And that's no good.
9/22/09
Bio-poem
Patrick
Agreeing, Bizarre, Considerate, Delightful
Boyfriend of Jessica, roommate of Ari, family of JoAnna, Chris, Veronica, and lil' sister Jess
Cares about gay rights, his relationship, and the feelings of others
Feels distracted, amorous, ticklish
Needs attention, internet connection, and cheese-flavored snack crackers
Gives advice, accidental humor, and time for community service
Fears seperation, the judicial system, and roller coasters
Wants to see a bright future for himself, his friends, and everyone
San Jose, 8th street
Harris
Agreeing, Bizarre, Considerate, Delightful
Boyfriend of Jessica, roommate of Ari, family of JoAnna, Chris, Veronica, and lil' sister Jess
Cares about gay rights, his relationship, and the feelings of others
Feels distracted, amorous, ticklish
Needs attention, internet connection, and cheese-flavored snack crackers
Gives advice, accidental humor, and time for community service
Fears seperation, the judicial system, and roller coasters
Wants to see a bright future for himself, his friends, and everyone
San Jose, 8th street
Harris
9/16/09
Interests (Chapter 1 + prologue)
I enjoy surfing the web,
playing video games,
playing tennis,
playing pool (due to the pool table downstairs),
and hanging out with my awesome girlfriend, Jessica.
playing video games,
playing tennis,
playing pool (due to the pool table downstairs),
and hanging out with my awesome girlfriend, Jessica.
Ch. 3 review
I spent too much time on:
Video games, internet surfing, and playing pool
I spent too little time on:
Homework, studying Psychology, and updating my blog
Next week, I will spend more time on:
Homework, studying, and blog updates
Next week, I will spend less time on:
Surfing the web, Instant messaging, and pool.
These are what I must work on to become a great time manager:
1. Keep and maintain written to-do list, so I can have control over times of certain events, but can also make sure to complete them all.
2. Monitor and restrict time spent surfing the web.
3. Set a weekly limit for number of weekday pool games.
To work on my bad habit of excessive web surfing, I will work on replacing such web surfing with blog updating.
Video games, internet surfing, and playing pool
I spent too little time on:
Homework, studying Psychology, and updating my blog
Next week, I will spend more time on:
Homework, studying, and blog updates
Next week, I will spend less time on:
Surfing the web, Instant messaging, and pool.
These are what I must work on to become a great time manager:
1. Keep and maintain written to-do list, so I can have control over times of certain events, but can also make sure to complete them all.
2. Monitor and restrict time spent surfing the web.
3. Set a weekly limit for number of weekday pool games.
To work on my bad habit of excessive web surfing, I will work on replacing such web surfing with blog updating.
Relationships
Had breakfast with a stranger this morning. I sat at a table for no more than a minute, and he approaches. Mind if I sit with you? Nah, go ahead. Minute-long pause. I asked for his name, which was Nate, and by the end of the discussion, I finished my smoothie.
One of the things I talked about was my girlfriend Jessica, and how she doesn't live too far away from me. He told me how he had to leave his girlfriend when they had gone to different colleges. It all reminded me of the case of my kindly dorm neighbor Stephanie, who had formerly resided in Chicago. To my amazement, she continues her relationship with her boyfriend by means of video chat and phone, even though they live halfway across the country.
Suddenly the 20 minute drive to Jessica's doesn't seem so much a challenge.
What drives someone to keep their love strong for another person when such a long distance divides them?
One of the things I talked about was my girlfriend Jessica, and how she doesn't live too far away from me. He told me how he had to leave his girlfriend when they had gone to different colleges. It all reminded me of the case of my kindly dorm neighbor Stephanie, who had formerly resided in Chicago. To my amazement, she continues her relationship with her boyfriend by means of video chat and phone, even though they live halfway across the country.
Suddenly the 20 minute drive to Jessica's doesn't seem so much a challenge.
What drives someone to keep their love strong for another person when such a long distance divides them?
First day of work!
Having never had a job outside the home before,
Having gone through about 3 weeks of applications, paperwork, and background checks,
Having set 2 morning alarms and a set of clothes,
I went to my first day of being a tutor at a junior high school on Tuesday.
...but I overslept. I got there a half hour late. On my first day of work.
Thankfully, the teachers I worked with were forgiving about this, and I took notes along with the middle schoolers. Mrs. Sylvia Davis, one of the teachers I am working with in the AVID program and my contact for the job, was very kind and introduced me to the class. I think the kids must've thought it was cool to have a college student in the class, because they seemed to be pretty nice, too.
As fun as my first day of class was, however, I have my concerns for keeping the job. After doing the math, my salary comes down to about $45 a week, and I don't consider that much - especially since a tank of gas costs me $30 and I'm saving money to become more self-supportive next year. The problem is that I need to sign an employee contract saying that I will promise to work for a full year, so I need to make this decision quickly.
But what do you think? Tell me any thoughts or suggestions you think in the comments section below.
Having gone through about 3 weeks of applications, paperwork, and background checks,
Having set 2 morning alarms and a set of clothes,
I went to my first day of being a tutor at a junior high school on Tuesday.
...but I overslept. I got there a half hour late. On my first day of work.
Thankfully, the teachers I worked with were forgiving about this, and I took notes along with the middle schoolers. Mrs. Sylvia Davis, one of the teachers I am working with in the AVID program and my contact for the job, was very kind and introduced me to the class. I think the kids must've thought it was cool to have a college student in the class, because they seemed to be pretty nice, too.
As fun as my first day of class was, however, I have my concerns for keeping the job. After doing the math, my salary comes down to about $45 a week, and I don't consider that much - especially since a tank of gas costs me $30 and I'm saving money to become more self-supportive next year. The problem is that I need to sign an employee contract saying that I will promise to work for a full year, so I need to make this decision quickly.
But what do you think? Tell me any thoughts or suggestions you think in the comments section below.
9/14/09
The Weird Mime game
Today in my Get Internet Famous class (whish would be right now, since we're still in class), classmate Alex and I were partners for the group mime game. The point of the game is to have one person make expressions using face and body, and the other person must mimic the same motions and expressions. The purpose of the game, although Professor Dan explained its role in learning about communication, was a tad unclear. Thus, a lot of people in class - Alex included - were hesitant about doing such actions and miming.
In the end, we felt that the activity was fun, but we were still confused as hell.
In the end, we felt that the activity was fun, but we were still confused as hell.
The MLK Library
On Wednesday, the Get Internet Famous class went to MLK library for a "tour". Instead of exploring the different floors and sections of the library (an act that I have done already in my free time - wheeeeeeeeee, elevators!!!), we sat in a swank conference room and learned about how to access library resources online. Wasn't the most fun thing in the world, but I certainly learned a lot about how to find scholarly articles online, which oughta help for writing papers. I hope Professor Dan is feeling better.
My classmate Alex and I turned in our scavenger hunt paper that day, but don't know how well we did compared to the others. Will we get that awesome First Prize? Hope so. I still don't have a textbook...
My classmate Alex and I turned in our scavenger hunt paper that day, but don't know how well we did compared to the others. Will we get that awesome First Prize? Hope so. I still don't have a textbook...
9/10/09
How's my roommate doing?
Ari's been doing fine, as far as I can tell. Due to his shy nature, making friends with others is kinda awkward, but thankfully, the awesome people on our floor like Ian and Stephanie make it worth the effort.
Both Ari and I have had a similar experience in transitioning from high school to college, mostly because we did not move far.
(Prologue Review Q. 1)
Both Ari and I have had a similar experience in transitioning from high school to college, mostly because we did not move far.
(Prologue Review Q. 1)
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