Posts

Xichi’s Module 7 blog

Module mainly talks about how to build and sustain motivation. To reach my personal academic goals, maintaining motivated is also important. I think the most important thing I learned in this module is to find my motivation. Sometimes people are confused about where the motivation comes from. This module identifies two sources of motivation, intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic source of motivation is basically your own interest, which means you are curious and interested in something and that motivate you to do the things you are doing. Extrinsic sources of motivation are grades, punishment, money, and other external factors. Basically, extrinsic source of motivation is you want to get good grades, otherwise you would fail that course and other consequences. Or maybe you will be punished if you do not finish that, and that motivates you. I think identifying the source of motivation is very important and that should be the first step of building motivation. For example, I am a finance major student, and I find that my motivation of studying finance specialization course is the fact that I like a job in finance field, and my own goal is to work as a financial analyst, so that motivates me. It actually gives me more motivation compared to external source of motivation because I am just “afraid” of the consequences.

Reference:

https://osu.instructure.com/courses/60277/pages/lesson-module-7?module_item_id=2828265

Xichi’s Module 6 blog

This module mainly talks about college writing, searching and researching. The most useful thing I learned in this module is how to evaluate sources. First of all, I learned the differences and definitions of regular questions and research questions. The regular questions usually have a right or wrong answer, and it could be easily solved by searching, for example, a question like “How many states are in the United States of America?”, a research question differs in that, it typically does not have a right or wrong answer, you can have your argument and justify your argument by researching, a question like “Why does Russia sell Alaska to the U.S.?” would be a research question. Evaluating sources is important because a good source should have high reliability, quality and utility to justify your statement. Usually, an author with a prestigious master or PhD degree in the field that you are researching, and the information is peer reviewed is considered reliable. Evaluating quality is also important, some articles are not up-to-date which means the information may not reflect the situation nowadays, and the information should be consistent with the author. When reading the source, the utility is also significant. Some articles are written well, but it may not strength your idea. I would like to say that evaluating sources is critical in college writing because it gives you insight whether the source can be used correctly and efficiently in your paper.

References:

https://osu.instructure.com/courses/60277/pages/lesson-module-6?module_item_id=2828228

Xichi’s Module 5 blog

This module focuses on note-taking and active listening, and seeking out online resources strategies. After finishing module 5, I find the most useful thing I learned is the importance of taking notes and note-taking strategies. To be specific, college courses require student to take a large amount of information in a short lecture, so taking notes is crucial in learning the course materials. First of all, typing or not typing is a critical choice in college course. Some students bring their laptop or iPad to take notes, some students take notes on notebooks. Personally, I think the tradition approach that taking notes on a notebook stands out. Since the laptop brings too much distraction as I see many students check their Facebook, Instagram, or viewing things that not related to the course material. Also, writing down the notes allows more deep processing. As you read your notes on the notebook, you can easily recall the course material with the train of your thought. I would say that note taking process is something that I could put into practice in the future. Note taking is not only copying things from the PDF in the lecture, but also your summary and thinking of the lecture. The Cornell method of note taking is definitely something that I should try out in the future.

Reference:

https://osu.instructure.com/courses/60277/pages/lesson-module-5?module_item_id=2828206

Xichi’s Module 4 blog post

After finishing Module 4 Web-Enhanced Reading and Study Strategies, I think the most useful thing I learned is how to navigate online study tools. There are various online resources available for students to use, and that could include many subjects. For example, students can seek help in writing by accessing Purdue Online Writing Lab, you can find significant format of MLA, and other writing skills. I have already used online study tools to enhance my learning. In the discussion section of Module 4, I see many peers recommend Quizlet as a good study tool. I have used Quizlet for a long time since college. I think online study tools like Quizlet definitely help me a lot. I can organize and make my own flashcards of vocabulary and concepts. What’s more, some interesting games like matching and practice test really help when memorizing. Based on my own experience and this module suggests, if you can use online study tools efficiently, you will find that the world is easier! I would say that some college instructors are recommending optional online study tools in some courses, and do not hesitate to try it and it might help you a lot. Usually, if you are purchasing a online version of a textbook, some study tools are included, definitely check that out.

Reference: https://osu.instructure.com/courses/60277/pages/lesson-module-4?module_item_id=2828184

Xichi’s Module 3 blog

The most useful things that I learned in this module is how to overcome procrastination. The first step in overcoming procrastination is like other scientific methods, to identify procrastination and know that I am procrastinating. Procrastination is different from laziness, which defines that I am doing somethings that I should not be doing instead of the task that I should do. I think I am procrastinating because I am always hesitate if I should do it now and stop to do something unrelated to the task and then come back when I feel like I am in a good mood to do it. To overcome procrastination, I listed the things that will come up in the future in the calendar and ask my friend to check up if I am doing the right thing.

I have already broken down large tasks into small parts to make sure that I can finish it one by one. A big project might seem to long to finish, but breaking it down actually help me out. I am able to finish a small part of it every day and keep tracking my progress so I won’t be too stressful when the project due date is approaching.

In the future, I want to make sure I balance the free time and time for tasks. I need to know that what is a good estimate hours that I should be working on tasks and free time for leisure so that my day will be more substantial.

I would like to say to college students that having procrastination is common for college student, and admitting procrastination is the first step to overcome it. When you know that beating procrastination will make your life better, it won’t be a problem!

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

Xichi’s Module 2 blog

The most useful things I learned in module 2 are to get my hands on blogs and Google Tools. To be frank, in first year student survey class I have done similar things like tracking my time by recording my activity on a spreadsheet. It words very well in few weeks after the activity. I can read exactly what I am doing hour by hour, and I know where my time goes. However, I do realize that my schedule is not too regular as a student. For example, in my college life, I do not have a morning class, so I would like to stay up late and get up late like 10:A.M. in the morning, I understand that it is not a good habit but it seems hard to make changes. Also, I find there are time breaks between classes, and I usually just play on my mobile phone and not doing any study. It usually takes an hour and so, I should definitely make use of these times and preview the next class. Based on what I’ve experienced in the past and I read in the time management section, I would say that time management is so important for a college student. If a college student can keep a regular work and rest schedule, and not wasting time on meaningless things during breaks, it is half of success in college. I think college course load is never too much and abundant for any student, it is the time management that talks.