Module 7: keys to motivation for online learning

I really enjoyed this module. There was a lot of information regarding distractions ang getting things done. Specifically on slide twelve when it talks about the amount of time distractions take up. Christine says on average distractions take about twenty three minutes and fifteen seconds to recover from. Even if the distraction is only about one minute. I totally agree with this statement as it happens all the time. I like to just check social media or hop on clash of clans. I have been practicing assignments where I don’t have a phone music or tv. The results proved well; because I feel a lot happier, things get done faster, and I can stay even more focused than usual. Slide thirteen also proved as a really helpful resource that I will remember. Apps like Forest and headspace seem like really awesome apps to keep me on track. I’m not sure if it’s just me but; I work a lot better when I’m,Osten to calming chill music compared my usual playlist. If I am trying to really remember something then I will probably not listen to music at all. Music can be great for writing papers, solving equations ,or doing math. For me listening to music is very distracting when trying remember something. On slide fifteen the idea of multitasking being demotivating; because we look back on the amount of time we’ve wasted and see just how little we have done. This is one of the most accurate slides I have ever seen. It is a terrible feeling. I do this when I feel like I do t have a lot of work to do so I usually take my time doing the assignments. This is very bad because it leads to more distractions, time being wasted, then I look up and see six hours have gone by without me doing a lot. One thing this module has taught me practice is effective study skills. One thing I put into practice was working without distractions; however I also take a 8-10 Minute Break every 35 minutes. This is one most useful pieces of advice I have received. I understand a constant study session is important; but you will drive yourself mad if you don’t take a break. When practiced this I finished my assignments a lot faster than usual, and I had way less stress. I will never forget this information; and will continue to put into practice since it works so well. I will master this habit, so I can help other people one day.

Module 6: searching and researching

I really enjoyed this module; since it talked about research papers. Since I am a science major I won’t be writing too much. At least I think I won’t have to. Regardless this module helped a lot with refreshing my memory and answering questions. Specifically on slide eleven  it talks about research questions. This slide is extremely useful. It has six bullet points about topics, devolving a research question, and narrowing it down. This has always been a struggle for me. I know in college a thesis statement is super important. The thesis must be consistent, because it sets up structure to the entire paper to follow. So if the thesis doesn’t make sense then the body paragraphs will be out of order. The most important thing I noted from this lesson was utility, quality, and realizability.  Having an article that is not too elaborate, credible, up to date, with a organized page is important to papers. This would not only help me with trusting the information; I can create a work cited much easier and trust the information that I am using. Another topic I liked learning about was the Boolean logic slide. I think this goes farther beyond research and papers. This is something awesome to have in general whenever you need to quickly google something. This logic saves time on everything since we practically google everything anyways. This module was really good for me since I learned a lot about the different components of a paper and how to research certain topics.

Module 5: web enhanced listening

One of the biggest points I took from Module five was to learn how to take notes. The video by Thomas Frank on slide 15 gave me a good overview of note taking strategies. After watching this video I tested out the Cornell note taking style since my science teacher made us do it once. I learned this would probably be one of the better styles for me. The outline style seemed very complex since it’s hard for me to process information, organize notes, and determine if what the professor just said is a main point or sub point. I have also noticed in this unit that I am open to talking notes digitally for certain classes. I know hand writing notes is scientifically proven to be better than typing them. For some classes going 3 hours for a lecture and writing them going to the next class doing the same thing seems like a lot. Using resources like google slides, PowerPoint, or word all seem like they can be less stressful and save hand cramps. I learned it was important to be an active listener. On slide 15 a source explained people often don’t remember if they ran a red light, how fast they got to work, or when they did something because they’re distracted. I personally felt this. I literally cannot remember anything on a short term basis. The older I get the worse my short term memory is. I will look at something and it will be lost within a few seconds in my mind. I never really knew how important it was to try and listen to a lecture so your mind is not occupied. I know to mentally prep myself before lectures, and review after them. Some advice I would give someone based on this module is practice note taking. Sometimes I feel like I take good notes when I’m in the moment. A few hours or days later when I return to review them it’s like I don’t even recognize them. This is the worst feeling, because if you can’t use them later the notes are worthless. 

Module 4 web enhanced reading

One tip I found particularly useful was the video on slide 5 by Jen Jonson. The Sq3r method. It was a really great tip for reading texts. I never really thought about skimming a text before reading it. Jonson also explains that noting questions while skimming or reading helps you answer big questions that are easily forgettable. I’ve always imagined studying to be the most effective when you spend long nights drowning head in books, research and assignments just to get a good grade. According to the infographics show it’s scientifically proven this is not the most effective way. One of suggested ways for effective studying was exercising. Getting blood flow through the brain allows chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine to be released. This results better attention span and a better mood for studying. The infographic also says cramming is the least effective way to retain memory. It is almost impossible to remember something a few hours before a bug exam, because the though will not remain inside your long term memory. This is important to me, because it reminds me that I should never cram or wait to start studying. Things will go into my long term memory if start early and review it. I plan on trying to get regular exercise. Going on runs in the afternoon to keep fresh blood in my system, and keep my mood in a better place.

Two big things I picked up towards the end of the lesson that I really liked were multitasking and technology tools that boost learning. One of the biggest problems I face is multitasking. I often struggle with multitasking, especially having a Tv on in the background. This always leads to me wasting a lot of time. It really makes me wonder if I would just do the work first, and then rest later I would have more free time. I also agree that online learning can be really effective. I’ve used sources like quizlet and jeopardy. They are really good to substitute instead of physical ways to study.

Blog Post For Module 3: Time Management

This was a really important module for me; because it dealt with procrastination and managing tasks. Slide eleven stood out to me; since it talked about “getting more out of your 24”. This is honestly the biggest reason I started two jobs. It’s not like I woke up one day and my mom said “get ready you have a interview at Kroger”. Seriously tho working to jobs and taking online classes was is on me and I can’t complain about, because it’s my choice. The whole reason I’ve kept these three things is, because i’ll do nothing all day but try hard at video games, watch Netflix, YouTube, browse Tik Tok, and hang out with my friends every day two throughout the weeks. This is all I’ve done for like fourteen years of my summer. I noticed that it feels really pointless and I don’t remember half the stuff I do that summer. This summer I wanted to change that by earning money. The biggest reason I started working two jobs was, because my friend started at a warehouse for his job. He told us for his first pay check, I couldn’t believe he was getting payed more than 700$ a week. Meanwhile I am working at Kroger barley putting out 300 a week. I was not  jealous, because he was making way more than me. I just felt like I was at a disadvantage when I could be matching his pay. I hate the feeling of being behind. I feel like I have always been behind others in life. The feeling idea of them being oh man “I’m” set for college means more than you would think. In that statement the person is mentoring something they have that you don’t. That sound really envious and jealous. It’s the truth in all honesty. If I sit at home playing video games, watching Netflix, and scrolling through social media for fifteen or sixteen hours seven days a week what am I really doing with life. Well i’m enjoying it if i’m telling the truth. I realized though as I did these things all day other people would just get ahead of me while I wasted life in a virtual fantasy dream. I understand money does not bring happiness nor should I obsessed in materialistic things. The fact is money still plays a factor in my next upcoming journey to college. I might as well give up my summer for better times ahead hopefully.

Getting back on track doing all this; I now know it’s not as easy as it sounds. A video on slide 8 by Tim Urban hit the nail on its head about procrastination. I really hate the feeling. The feeling of anxiety, stress, plan a,b,c, knowing you’re going to get a bad grade. It all sucks. The mid blowing part is procrastination, stress and bad grades can all be prevented. If I get to college procrastinate, get bad grades, and stress myself out I will never forgive myself. I know college can be a bumpy stomach turning roller coaster, but there is no need to add extra spins or drops to the ride. The three biggest points I took were: breaking down large tasks, making a calendar, and using google sheets. These are ways that really helped me keep track of time. Procrastination is a mental thing as long as I mentally keep training my self with good habits I think I’ll be fine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Module 2 reflection: Communication and Collaborating

During this week’s module on communication and collaborating the biggest thing I took from this week was dealing with lazy group members. Specifically on slide fifteen. The video “ 5 tips for dealing with lazy group members” by Thomas Frank. One really big tip I took from this video was to incorporate many deadlines within a project. My biggest pet peeve when being assigned with a group, is when someone takes charge and assigns each person something with the end due date, and never communicates again. In my opinion this is not group work. This is just students working on assignments who will all receive the same grade at the end. This is why I usually take on the role of a manager in a group to make sure everyone is comfortable with their role. I like to help with their work if needed, and make sure everyone can help each other.  Frank suggests that each person should have mini checkpoints where they send their progress to a manager or a document with everyone in it. This allows the project to actually have communication between all the group members. I will keep this tip in mind, because having good communication and making sure no group is falling behind allows everything to flow a lot easier. Here is the link to to Franks video https://youtu.be/NZRyDgDlvqA

 

Secondly I found slide seven about typing emails to be very helpful to me. Throughout my years in highschool I never really understood the importance of emailing people. My emails were really unprofessional, and I never took the time to proof read them. I am guilty of using different subject lines, spelling errors, not starting and ending the email properly. I now realize it looks horrendous when an email is poorly constructed. One really big point I took from this was to make the email clear, concise, and to check for other sources, before emailing the professor. I would hate to be that guy that just emails a professor for an easy question that I could find on my own. I now understand proof reading is key to avoid any confusion. I never really proofread, because it’s like hearing your own voice out loud; it just feels weird to me. Maybe it’s because I procrastinate, and I am so exhausted I just say forget about it and turn the paper in. This is something I will change once I start college. I want to actually start my papers early, proofread them, and have others look at them. Slide seven and the website “18 Etiquettes tips for emailing your professor” gave me awesome tips to use when emailing my teachers. If any of you want to read that website I have attached the link below. https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2010/09/30/18-etiquette-tips-for-e-mailing-your-professor