And chapter about tests? And right before our midterm? Who would've thought?
Let's see, first up is test anxiety. Ha! I laugh in the face of tests (even the ones I'm not prepared for... it's a rather hollow laugh). I answered "never" for a good deal of the questions, such as "I have difficulty getting a good night's sleep before the test" and questions regarding physical sickness from stress (ouch). I put "sometimes" for the questions regarding being distracted during tests, but I get distracted quite 0ft- ooh, new Youtube video!
A question about one's honor code made me think for a bit: "If someone is caught cheating, which consequence do you think is the most appropriate?" It had a few options to choose from. I thought that failing the student in the course would be way too harsh. Instead, I feel that failing the student on the assignment alone would be a justifiable approach.
10/13/09
Patrick goes to CMF
After working with my group on our not gun-related video, a lot of us went to the mandatory Campus Movie Fest. It was a night full of spotlights, long lines in the dark, funny and dramatic videos, and crushed hopes of winning a raffle prize.
Many interesting movie entries, I must say. However, I can only remember a few. The dramatic short "Resistance" had me tense during the whole movie, although its plot was very simplistic. The movie "Fun Scare", if that's what it was called, appealed to a lot of students, but I guess I didn't think it was so funny. In my opinion, "The Truthbreakers" is the definition of what comedy should be, but with a clever ironic twist.
Bottom line: it was a great night with great movies, but I had a God-awful headache, so I couldn't really enjoy it.
Many interesting movie entries, I must say. However, I can only remember a few. The dramatic short "Resistance" had me tense during the whole movie, although its plot was very simplistic. The movie "Fun Scare", if that's what it was called, appealed to a lot of students, but I guess I didn't think it was so funny. In my opinion, "The Truthbreakers" is the definition of what comedy should be, but with a clever ironic twist.
Bottom line: it was a great night with great movies, but I had a God-awful headache, so I couldn't really enjoy it.
10/7/09
Chapter 7!
Okay, This chapter wants to tell me how I should change my study habits. When I first noticed that, I wanted to take a lighter to my textbook, but realized after a bit of reading that it didn't ask me to change anything drastically. This is mostly because I'm pretty decent at keeping good study habits.
The chapter suggests staying consistant in your time and place of study. Personally, my best place to study is on my bed in my dorm room. The thick door blocks out a lot of noise from the hall, and I have privacy and internet accessibility in here. I generally do much of my studying and work at night, because most other people in my dorm hall do the same.
Sleeping was also a big factor in this chapter. It explains how bad sleeping habits such as cramming or dozing off at a desk can lead to sleeping disorders. On the whole, I get 6 to 7 hours of sleep each day. I only had some minor checks on the sleeping disorder checklist, so I don't have much to worry about.
The chapter suggests staying consistant in your time and place of study. Personally, my best place to study is on my bed in my dorm room. The thick door blocks out a lot of noise from the hall, and I have privacy and internet accessibility in here. I generally do much of my studying and work at night, because most other people in my dorm hall do the same.
Sleeping was also a big factor in this chapter. It explains how bad sleeping habits such as cramming or dozing off at a desk can lead to sleeping disorders. On the whole, I get 6 to 7 hours of sleep each day. I only had some minor checks on the sleeping disorder checklist, so I don't have much to worry about.
9/30/09
Peer Mentor/MUSE evaluation
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.
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
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