Final Blog Post

I have learned through exploration of technological resources that you can find and connect through Study Blue- flash cards that other students taking the same course, with the same instructor even, have shared and you can comment on the card collections and share these amongst a study group. I have found Google calendar to be immensely valuable for tracking and organizing not only my academic but family and personal life all in one place. I have learned how to navigate google to produce more relevant searches and how to search the O.S.U. database more efficiently. I have come to the conclusion that finding material or videos on certain subjects and material is really useful. Like finding a video about how mitosis occurs rather than trying to visualize it all on my own from a static picture.

I have learned in this last semester that I need to keep setting my goals and try to be more efficient in breaking them down into smaller pieces because a whole, they can be intimidating and daunting when it comes to motivation. I need to use Google calendar the way I did when I was first introduced to it to organize things and break them down into time frames and chewable bits.

The most meaningful experience of this course for me was the time monitoring project and the google calendar assignment. The time monitoring project made me plan out my time hour by hour and I was accountable for adhering to that schedule because I had to record it to show that I was managing my time. Google calendar was an epiphany. Not only can you map out your regular schedule, but you can add in to do lists related to different aspects of your life and see them all laid out in a weekly/monthly calendar. I had been trying to do this on paper but I always get frustrated with how messy I make things and how unorganized it all seems to lay out in the end. This way, online, it’s completely neat. I can put multiple assignments from different classes in to do lists and see how their timelines overlap. I can see what quizzes and test are coming my way at a glance.

I will be using strategies to break down my larger goals into smaller goals in the coming semester. I will be using Google calendar to schedule weekly and daily review times to plan around. I will also try to integrate rewards and incentives to competing not only long term, but short term goals as well. I will continue to search out online content to further my understanding of content found in class. I will find or create visual content to help my understanding of raw facts. I will try to find ways to relate what I’m learning in class to my own life experiences to make them stick. When I find that I cannot grasp the concepts of a subject on my own I will connect with my peers to see if they can explain it to me differently.

Meosis

Meiosis

Meiosis is responsible for the gametes used in reproduction. Meiosis is the process in which two haploid cells are produced form a diploid cell.  Mitosis results in two diploid daughter cells. Meiosis results in 4 haploid daughter cells. During interphase the chromosomes duplicate, called sister chromatids and the centrioles develop. During prophase the Sister chromatids are connected by centromeres. Homologous chromatids line up next to each other and crossing over occurs increasing genetic diversity.  Centrioles move to opposite ends of the cell. during metaphase 1 spindle fibers attached to either of the aligned sister chromatid’s centromere. During anaphase 1 these fibers pull the chromatids to either end of the cell. Telophase 1 &  cytokinesis 1 – Nuclear envelope reforms and cells separate via cleavage furrow. first cycle ends in two genetically different diploid cells. Round two differs in that the chromosomes do not duplicate and in metaphase 2 the sister chromatids are split evenly into either cell resulting in 4 genetically diverse haploid cells after telophase 2. Haploid cell will turn into sperm or egg depending on sex. These cells contain half the genetic material/chromosomes needed to create another generation. No gamete is identical.

This video helps me understand Meiosis better by providing a visual animation showing the process in motion. The narrator is explaining what is happening in the video. Instead of a static image of the phases in a textbook I can watch a virtualization of the actual process and see where the chromosomes duplicate and how they line up and split off during meiosis and this video even shows how it differs from mitosis’s process. It helps me understand the processes in motion.

Mod 5 understanding

I like printing out the PPT before class so that I can fill add notes and expand on them. This way I’m not just trying to copy down the slides and churn out notes, but actually trying to understand the content and what the professor is saying. If slides aren’t available, then I like breaking my notes up into sections based on content or topic. One note allows me to have a notebook for each class and a different tab/section devoted to different topics or chapters. You can also add images, videos, or sound to your notes in one-note. I like that I can make tables or find an image online to add to my notes. I can record a lecture and add it right into the notes! Developing your own style for note taking is essential! There are many styles of note taking and each style can be helpful depending on how you need your notes to function for different classes. The column style of Cornell’s question/ answer folding style can be very helpful during reviews; make two columns, on one side a topic posed as question and in the other column right the answer. If your course is heavy in keywords and terms you may find it useful to make that a cornerstone of your note taking for that class by adopting the keyword style. Keyword style is very similar to Cornell’s method, but add a column for expansion on a keyword. I find Mind mapping more useful in review to check your retention and understanding tan as an original way to take notes as it takes up a lot of space. You essentially make bubbles of ideas and connect related bubble content.

chapter 6, mod 3

Creating and maintaining an online social life with other students taking the same online course as you can make or break your success in the course. Some tips for creating these relationships are:

First impressions- As always first impressions are very important. some ways to create a good first impression in the digital world are to check your spelling and grammar. Avoid using inappropriate language/ jokes and slang. Also avoid using all CAPS as they come off as confrontational.  These mistakes can keep classmates from wanting to work with you.

Adding tone and personal touches. Connecting online- Treat online communications the same as face to face encounters Be polite and show interest in the other person. “How is your day going?”, “Do you understand the assignment?”.  If something makes you smile try using emoticons to help convey feeling when appropriate. Keep emoticons out of professional discourse. Be as clear as you can to avoid miscommunications. If you attached something in an email clearly state that you did. Check for and communicate understanding. roger roger.

Emails- When communicating with someone or a group make sure you double check who you are sending to.  Gain an understanding of how Listserves work so that you don’t respond to a group when you are trying to send to an individual and vise versa. Include any additional contact information you would like your contact to have.

Keep organized and stay on top of your course work. Motivation can wane and wax during the semester but you need to keep an eye on your long term goals and make daily decisions about what you want in your life. You need to stay focused so that your present doesn’t affect your future negatively.

Getting to know your online peers and instructors can lead to lifelong friendships and form great support networks for your academic career. The feedback you get can be very valuable and insightful.