Posts

Maintaining Motivation

Hi everyone,

Module 7 covers an extremely important topic, motivation! This week I learned about what drives a person to achieve their goals, and what drives them to succeed. Motivation comes from two different sources. The first one, known as intrinsic sources relate to your own growth and interests, while the second, known as extrinsic sources, comes from things you hope to attain or avoid. Finding a healthy environment and creating good study habits are also important steps when it comes to staying motivated and getting your work done. For example, I study in the library where I can concentrate on my work and there are no outside distractions. I also have a study playlist that I use to keep me focused on my work. One important thing that this module taught me and I would like to share as advice to all my readers is that progress is a strong and effective motivator. Most people think that motivation comes before action, but often times action is needed to create motivation. Seeing yourself complete work and understanding that this is something you really can do helps a lot with motivation. I advise all the other students out there that struggle with finding motivation for their daily work, to get a little done and then look back on how you are now one step closer to achieving your goals and dreams.

Thanks,

Josh

Searching and Researching

Hi everyone,

The most important thing that I learned this module is the difference between searching and researching. Being able to differentiate between reliable resources and unreliable ones is an invaluable tool. Making sure that your sources are accurate and trustworthy is extremely important if your writing an argumentative essay or an form of research paper. Checking the background of the author and the credibility of the website is key to understanding whether or not this is a source you should use. The best sources provide facts and data about where they gathered their own information. It is also important to note that regular questions typically have a right or wrong answer, while a research question may have multiple answers. Understanding how to find sources that back your point of view is necessary for research questions, while regular questions often times have an undisputed answer. The information that you find should be credible, up to date and free of any bias. For one of my other classes I have to write a research paper and I’ve tried to follow the rules of a research question rather than just searching. I’ll look at the author’s credentials and other information about the website to make sure that everything is accurate. This is something that I will continue to do and hope that all of you readers do as well!

Until next week,

Josh

Web Enhanced Listening and Viewing Strategies

Hi everyone,

This week the most important thing that I learned is the difference between note taking by typing it or by handwriting it. In college I mostly type up my notes because it is easier to keep everything on my laptop rather than have multiple notebooks that I carry around. This way I can also access my notes whenever I need to because a lot of my classes build on each other. On the other hand this week I learned that typing my notes can lead to mindless transcription. Mindless transcription is a major issue because my mind cannot differentiate between important information and filler information. I think that in the future I am going to work on handwriting my notes. I hope to get an iPad where I can hand write my notes. That way I benefit from the functionality and tools on the iPad, but I also learn and understand the information better. It is important for me to get the most out of in class lectures so that I know information when I study. Another important thing I need to focus on is attentive listening, and making sure that I pay attention while I’m in class. Getting distracted is the biggest issue I’ve faced in college. Hopefully my tips and lessons have helped all of you.

Goodluck,

Josh

Web-Enhanced Reading and Study Strategies

Hi everyone,

This week I’ll be discussing online learning strategies and skills. The most important thing I learned this week is to try to focus on one task at a time. Multitasking, like leaving your favorite show on in the background, can actually negatively impact the way you study. Splitting your attention by multitasking means that you’ll remember less, internalize less, and in the end learn less. Being an active reader and an active learner without any other distractions is critical to maintaining strong study habits and success in college. It’s very difficult to focus on multiple things at once, especially things that are completely different. Splitting your attention among studying and entertainment only makes assignments more difficult and time consuming. Technology can be extremely helpful if you use it correctly! Utilizing websites that provide help with grammar, formatting, and memorization are all something I am going to try to use in the future. Websites like StudyBlue, Grammarly, and Purdue OWL provide these services and I recommend that all my readers check them out as soon as possible. I would rather turn off my TV and really learn the information instead of multitasking and being distracted. Hopefully all these tips and tools will help you guys learn efficiently and effectively!

Efficiency in the Digital Age

Hi everyone,

The most useful thing that learned in this module, was that I procrastinate because of the distractions around me and that has a very negative affect on my time management. The main things that distract me are technology, but I also learned that technology can also help me get around that issue. I find it interesting I started using my computer and other technology for my schoolwork, but it ended up distracting me a lot of the time instead of helping me. This module taught me that there are websites and apps that can help me focus by eliminating the distractions for set periods of time where I can do my work. My advice to all the other students out there is to search up and learn how to use programs like Freedom and Cold Turkey. By blocking out your distractions it’ll be much easier and more manageable to get work done without having to procrastinate. Getting all your work done last minute really is beneficial. There’s no stress about finishing things on time or missing out on something you want to do because you waited too long to do the work. Hopefully these tips help in the future, and I’m going to start using them myself in the future.

Module 2

Discussion posts are something that I never thought I would use or need. Though, after reading going through this module I see how they can be helpful to students, especially in online courses, where you don’t have the benefit of interacting in class. Usually I’m at home, in my bed, doing my homework and there’s no one around me to bounce my thoughts/ideas off of. Discussions through posts give me a chance to talk to other people in the class and respond to the things that they have to say. Having the ability to collaborate is invaluable, I think that strong communication skills are extremely important for everyone regardless of their career choices or major. Being able to successfully interact with people is something that I personally need to work on, that’s an area you can always improve you know. During the day I work at a doctor’s office where I answer phone calls, make appointments and interact with patients. Interpersonal skills are the main thing required for what I do, it’s not that difficult, because everything else you learn on the job. Discussion posts are just another use full way I can improve this skill, without even having to leave my room, and it gives me more time to formulate my thoughts and opinions so that I can intelligently share my ideas. Thanks everyone! I hope you come back and read my post next week!