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This week I learned how to web search better using search terms and taking advantage of google advance search.  I learned more about search features like using quotes to restrict the search to just the specific term and how to use Boolean search terms like and, or and not .    I learned to be aware of the reliability, quality and utility in the information looking for sources that have professional organization ties backed by broadly recognized research organizations that are widely cited by others in the same field.

I learned how to use google.scholar and worldcat@OSU to search key words in URLs, titles and descriptions looking for key words that have value for what I want to search for like  articles, magazines, books or news.   I learned that search is just looking through the web info but research is searching with direction and intent.   Limiting sources of information to get what is needed saving time and providing better quality info.

I learned about citation sites like http://www.citeulike.org/ ,  http://www.easybib.com/ and  http://www.mendeley.com/ and leaned about some of the different citation formats APA https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
MLA https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/.   I learned how to get this info using the OSU worldcat@OSU search tool and how to export it for use with my papers.

This week I was recovering from failure last week.  My failure was related to over scheduling( drama, I was in a play :)) and under planing my work, social and academic life.  I am on vacation this week so it is much easier to find time to do my homework.  It seems likely that I will finish a day early!

I do not listen well and I think this results in poor notes.  I found the note taking and listening strategies  presented this week to be quite helpful.   You should find your favorite note taking format and start using it.   The Cornell process get the user to record,  question, recite, reflect and  review notes.   The mind map gets a user to tie ideas together visually.   The keyword method simplifies notes into keywords, detail and supporting material.    I prefer the keyword method because I alway record more detail than I need.

The concept of prepping for a lecture seem quite foreign to me.  It seems like cheating the system.   Using the SQ3R system can be magical.  Here are the words that go with the acronym:  Survey that material before class(what a concept).  Question the material while you are surveying (why on earth would you do that???  To engage yourself in the process!).   Read any material for class (be sure to consider what type of reading your doing detailed or skimming)  before the lecture.  Recite the material when you are done so you will remember it later.  Review the material taking some notes so you will remember it later for the test.

These concepts seem like they will be very helpful.  Now it is just a mater of using them.

ray

This is a great ESL video that has some excellent basic learning resources and a great presenter that holds the attention of the viewer with unexpected comments and insight.

Learn English: 3 easy ways to get better at speaking English

This presenter talks about 3 different learning methods that he applies to ESL.   The methods are Process Method, Kaizen Method and Writing Method.   Process Method – start with beginning, people start with product but they should start with the source of the product.  If your learning about a tree then start with a seed.  What are you doing while your studying english?   Work on something specific and then get the overall picture.  T ake time to go back and think about what your doing now .  Kaizen method – one step at a time.  Use a very simple start point and work from there.  Try a simple word in English like a and move forward form that.   If you avoid stress of trying to get the big picture your brain can work better.  Writing Method – write out dream in english.  This will be your ture baseline english.   Later in the day review your writing and correct it.  You will know things are improving when your brain substitutes english words for words in you native language.

The presenter laid the material out in a process fashion.  This is  very helpful to me.   He also told funny stories  and talked in strange voice which kept my interest.  He made the material useful to not only ESL students but also students in general by saying that the material applied to he own learning of Spanish.

Have you ever texted a friend and said the wrong thing?  Have you ever posted to a group and made the wrong impression?  Have you ever kept a good idea to yourself that could have benefited others?  The way we present ourselves and our ideas can make a big difference in life.  We are so connected via websites, email and social media that we seem to blend education, work and play together.  This combination can be a good thing but we should try to build up some processes, skills and habits to bring up our standards so we can build a more professional work and educational online presence.

How are you going to communicate?   Think about what tool would facilitate the learning process for your audience.  Use Real Time Chat like Instant Messaging for synchronous communication when your need is immediate.  Discussion Boards  offer a asynchronous exchange of text and files which provides more time flexibility so users don’t have to be online at the same time.    Email provides a nice tracking device for information exchange but it can get overwhelming for a large group.  Polling sites like doodle.com can provide the ability to schedule and coordinate group activity.  A wiki provides the ability for a large number of people to share web based info.   Google Docs or Drive provides a place to share word processing documents, spreadsheets, forms,  presentations and drawings.   All of these items can be shared by groups of users with google accounts.  These tools also do a great job of keeping versions of the shared files.

What impression are you making?   Have your heard of Netiquette as in etiquette on the web.   Treat others like you would want to be treated on the web.  Remember that your posts are permanent so don’t post something you may regret later.  Try and use common sense when communicating.  When you address a professor, be sure to show respect by using the Dr title unless instructed otherwise.  Put your own personality into your writing by using some personal experience or maybe a phrase or some kind humorous experience that is related to the topic.

We can all develop better habits.  Check your email for spelling and grammar mistakes twice!   Once you’re done with the spelling and grammar, read the message content twice!  Have a friend or classmate review the text and provide input.   Make sure the recipient is correct so you end up sending email to the correct audience.  This habit can keep a message from going to every user on a list server.  For attached files in email or posts, don’t change the file extension names that identify the data type and reference the file attachment in your text explaining the data type.

What kind of people are you working with for Online groups projects?  This mindtools.com website http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_85.htm has good info on Group Behavior.  It breaks groups into 3 different role types:  Task Roles, Personnel and Social Roles and Dysfunctional and Individualist Roles.  You should go to this site and review these role types.   This is very helpful so you can assigned roles and the group and help decrease negative behaviors that will stand in the way of your groups goals.

Are you someone who naturally can share thoughts, feeling and attitudes online?   Look around and see if you can help other move forward with encouragement and maybe some positive peer pressure.  Do you have a tendency to lurk in the shadows of all the bright, shining, enlighten posters of the world?  The most difficult part of developing a online presence can be starting so find some one to encourage and post.   Read, learn and share.  

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