Posts

Module 7 Blog Post

The most useful thing I learned in this module is how to build and sustain my motivation. I have realized ambition and interest are important factors for sustain our motivation. The information we learned in class should be think again. We need to think about whether this information is useful in the future. The thing I have already put into practice is studying in a good environment. I used to study in quiet, usually at home without possible distractions. Studying in a quiet environment enables me to be concentrated, create more ideas and answer questions with higher accuracy.

In the future, I will pay more attention on eliminating online distractions like closing emails and social contacting apps. Module 7 lesson provides me with an app named Freedom, it restricts me from surfing other websites.

I would like to suggest students to find your own way to build and sustain motivation. Getting to know your intrinsic and extrinsic power of motivation. And studying in a nice environment is necessary. I recommend students put away mobile phones and television. In addition, students need to plan for distractions. Notice friends who may come by is a good choice. Being concentrated is necessary for studying efficiently.

Module 6 Blog Post

The most useful thing I learned in this module is how to search and research a research topic and how to choose an informative resource. The thing I have already put into practice is pre-search. I usually do a lot of researching for evidence to support my answer. I try many keywords or phrases to search.

In the future, I will pay more attention on resource’s credibility, quality and utility. I hardly focus on credibility before I learned form this module. Now I notice the importance of credibility. Besides, I used Wikipedia as a reference in my papers. Now I realized it is unavailable. I should use primary and secondary sources like articles and books.

There are some suggestions for college students who need to write an academic research paper. To write an academic research paper, we need to understand the purpose of research questions, and then narrow a Topic. We need to do a lot of background reading and propose some regular and research questions. And then explore the influence of a research question. I would advise students get to know the method of “search” and “research” and the strategies of judging your resource’s credibility, quality and utility. Great resource is helpful for you to create a perfect research paper.

Module 5 Blog Post

The most useful thing I learned in this module is how to take note effectively. I learned many strategies. One of the strategies is the Cornell method, which is the most common method. This method creates a nice and clear look of notes and a summary is helpful for memory. A nice summary shows our understanding of the topic. A specific example I have already put into practice is using symbols and abbreviations to take notes. It saves time and I can recognize them. Also, I always circle, underline, and highlight key information. It makes my notes look clearer. Sometimes I just take note in a mess with circles and highlights, but I lack a clear outline. In the future, I will pay more attention to how to list my notes in a clear way.

Based on what I’ve read during this module, I suggest students attend every possible class and listen carefully for information. Teachers tend to emphasize important ideas more than once, we need to take notes of them and understand what the main idea of this information is. In addition, the method of taking notes is necessary. Taking good notes not only saves time, but also highlights key information when we need to review. Besides, choose a suitable way to record information. Students can take notes on laptop, iPad or paper. Just choose ways that you are most comfortable with.

Module 4 blog post

The most useful thing I learned in this module is interacting with online readings. To be more specific, highlight important information and review it, and quiz myself to test comprehension.

The thing I have already put into practice is using various learning apps for effective learning. Take an example, I use quizlet to collect important knowledge and memorize necessary words. I am not a native English speaker, so there are many words I cannot recognize. For memorizing more professional words, I save them in quizlet and try to remember them after class. It is convenient that I can use this app at any time since it is available both for laptop and for mobile phone.

I could put the idea of mindless highlighting in the future, since I sometimes just highlight key idea but just ignore and leave it after reading. I think I should deep process key information.

I would advise students to actively search for online tools that suitable for us to use. Good online tools can effectively improve our study outcomes. I recommend using apps like quizlet, Grammarly, and Evernotes. And students need to seriously think about readings that teacher assigned, pay attention to key ideas and understand them before class.

Module 3 blog post

 

The most useful thing I learned in this module is how to deal with procrastination. I always wait for the last day to do schoolwork, especially for those hard assignments. When I face hard problems, I usually do something else first like playing computer games or phone games instead of solving them immediately.

From module 3, I have learned many methods. First, I need to realize I have the problem of procrastination. Then, I have to find the root of procrastination. In addition, put my mobile phone away and delete apps that attracts my attention are available strategies for me. Since I have spent a lot of time on mobile phone for chatting with friends and play games. Additionally, asking a friend to check up on me is a good strategy, the friend and I can study together and help each other which can pushes us to improve.

Based on what I’ve read or experienced during this module, I would advise students to realize the root of procrastination first and then apply strategies with the link I provide. And student can also track time to see where all the time goes. Besides, students can motivate ourselves by writing down some inspiring words on the post-it note or reward ourselves if we successfully finish a hard assignment.

 

 

Reference: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_96.htm

 

Using technology to communicate and collaborate effectively

 

Technology facilitates all aspects of our lives, including learning. Sending emails is a common way to communicate. Different from face-to-face’s smile and handshake, the content of an email determines how we are impressed by others. In order to communicate effectively through email, I learned a lot from chapter 2 about email etiquette. For example, an email must have these parts: The Subject line, the Greeting, a context for the message, the Closing and the full name. I also learned that for sending a formal email, we need to use full sentences and proofread my message and use spell check. In addition, google sheet and docs are really useful tools for sharing documents online with other students. It is not easy for college students to set an available time for doing group work face-to-face but sharing a group project online facilitates assignment process. We are able to work on project at any place and add own ideas on the sharing document. Another way to use technology to communicate is discussion board which many courses in college applies. Students can leave any comments and posts on discussion board and wait for feedbacks. We are able to leave feedback or post at any time after class. It is really convenient, and I think many ideas posted on discussion board are interesting and meaningful that worthy to learn.