November Blogs
5.November.2009
At various points during the semester I asked you folks to discuss a paper you had written for a previous class and your writing process. Now, in week eleven, I'd like to hear about your writing process again. Has your writing process changed since we started this course? If so, how? Did any particular assignments give you trouble (both in terms of the type of assignment and how it might have conflicted with your specific writing process)? Were any assignments unexpectedly easy? And now, the million dollar (somewhat philosophical) question: Why do you write (aside from it's a requirement of this class and higher education in general)? What role does writing play in your life? What role do you think writing will play in your future (in terms of a career, family, etc.)?
Since I have started this course, my writing process has made a dramatic change. Before, I would just write. I never took as much time as I do now to organize my paper. Now, I write out an outline of the direction I want my paper to go. I hand write my paper, and then I type it. By doing that, I can fix whatever sounds wrong in my paper. I am having the most difficulty with the current inventing arguments assignment. One reason could be because of the topic I chose. This paper as a whole goes against my writing process. As I am writing my paper, I find myself rearranging things constantly because I am trying not to sound biased in my paper. No assignment this far has been surprisingly easy. The assignments are not difficult, but they are not easy either. I believe we write in order to make our thoughts and opinions known. Our writings should pave the way for the people to come after us. Our writings our a way of communication. Writing is an outlet for me to express myself in ways my words can't. Writing relieves my anger and stress. When I write, I can write down things that I cannot necessarily say to people. Writing will be a big part of my future. My goal is to become an OB/GYN and work with people from all over the world. I am sure a lot of stress will be headed in my direction. Therefore, I will most likely keep a journal for me to write in. Also, with being in the medical field, a lot of research is to follow. I am sure I will have to stay up to date with the advances in medicine and possibly come up with theories on my own. I will most likely have to write things that will help me advance in my medical career.
At various points during the semester I asked you folks to discuss a paper you had written for a previous class and your writing process. Now, in week eleven, I'd like to hear about your writing process again. Has your writing process changed since we started this course? If so, how? Did any particular assignments give you trouble (both in terms of the type of assignment and how it might have conflicted with your specific writing process)? Were any assignments unexpectedly easy? And now, the million dollar (somewhat philosophical) question: Why do you write (aside from it's a requirement of this class and higher education in general)? What role does writing play in your life? What role do you think writing will play in your future (in terms of a career, family, etc.)?
Since I have started this course, my writing process has made a dramatic change. Before, I would just write. I never took as much time as I do now to organize my paper. Now, I write out an outline of the direction I want my paper to go. I hand write my paper, and then I type it. By doing that, I can fix whatever sounds wrong in my paper. I am having the most difficulty with the current inventing arguments assignment. One reason could be because of the topic I chose. This paper as a whole goes against my writing process. As I am writing my paper, I find myself rearranging things constantly because I am trying not to sound biased in my paper. No assignment this far has been surprisingly easy. The assignments are not difficult, but they are not easy either. I believe we write in order to make our thoughts and opinions known. Our writings should pave the way for the people to come after us. Our writings our a way of communication. Writing is an outlet for me to express myself in ways my words can't. Writing relieves my anger and stress. When I write, I can write down things that I cannot necessarily say to people. Writing will be a big part of my future. My goal is to become an OB/GYN and work with people from all over the world. I am sure a lot of stress will be headed in my direction. Therefore, I will most likely keep a journal for me to write in. Also, with being in the medical field, a lot of research is to follow. I am sure I will have to stay up to date with the advances in medicine and possibly come up with theories on my own. I will most likely have to write things that will help me advance in my medical career.
12.November.2009
The final paper of the semester (which we will be talking about more on Thursday) is a collaborative piece, so I want to you take some time this week to reflect on working with others. Describe either a paper, assignment, or class activity where you had to collaborate with your peers. Was the experience positive or negative for you? Why? What are some of your concerns when working with others? In your opinion, what are some of the benefits of working with others (both in the classroom and within the workplace)?
One assignment that allowed me to collaborate with my fellow peers would be my Psychology 100 project. The object of our project was to create some type of visual aid to explain the psychological changes and mental process that occurs when suicide is attempted. Some positive experiences that came from working with my peers was that the work load could be split up. The negative experiences would be that not everyone is willing to do the work. Our project was assigned to us the very first day of class. However, the members of my group procrastinated until the day before the project was due to work on it. When working with others I am always concerned with the "weakest link" in the group. I hope everybody will stay on task and do what they are suppose to do when they are suppose to do it. Another concern of mine is that I will end up do all the work. I always assume that I am the leader of the group when nobody else tries to step up and make sure the job gets done. I do not want people to think I am trying to run things or be the boss of everyone, but I want to make sure the job is done and it is done right. The only two benefits that I believe come from working with people are the work being divided between people and the opportunity to get to interact with more people.
The final paper of the semester (which we will be talking about more on Thursday) is a collaborative piece, so I want to you take some time this week to reflect on working with others. Describe either a paper, assignment, or class activity where you had to collaborate with your peers. Was the experience positive or negative for you? Why? What are some of your concerns when working with others? In your opinion, what are some of the benefits of working with others (both in the classroom and within the workplace)?
One assignment that allowed me to collaborate with my fellow peers would be my Psychology 100 project. The object of our project was to create some type of visual aid to explain the psychological changes and mental process that occurs when suicide is attempted. Some positive experiences that came from working with my peers was that the work load could be split up. The negative experiences would be that not everyone is willing to do the work. Our project was assigned to us the very first day of class. However, the members of my group procrastinated until the day before the project was due to work on it. When working with others I am always concerned with the "weakest link" in the group. I hope everybody will stay on task and do what they are suppose to do when they are suppose to do it. Another concern of mine is that I will end up do all the work. I always assume that I am the leader of the group when nobody else tries to step up and make sure the job gets done. I do not want people to think I am trying to run things or be the boss of everyone, but I want to make sure the job is done and it is done right. The only two benefits that I believe come from working with people are the work being divided between people and the opportunity to get to interact with more people.
19. November.2009
For this week, I'd like to give you folks the opportunity to do some prewriting for the introductions to your final portfolio (which I will be talking about more on Thursday). So, in brief, explain how the essays and the weekly blog postings represent (or don't represent) your developing interests academically at BSU and your work in the course? For example, are some of the things you've learned applicable to other classes or things within your major (or possible majors)? Also, what is one thing you found most beneficial about the class and what is one thing that was not beneficial. Briefly explain.
The essays represent my developing interests academically at BSU, my weekly blog postings do not do that. My essays challenge me to be a better writer. My essays have taught me to be consistent, which can help me throughout my career. I am a Biology major, therefore, taking the time to organize and research like I do on my essays really help. Essays require me to stay focus and think outside the box which could be beneficial to me and my major. The most beneficial thing this course offered me were the rough draft review sessions. These sessions help me understand how my work is perceived by other people. The least beneficial part this coursed offered me was holding group conversations within class, and then holding a large group conversation. This was the least beneficial to me because some of the conversations were a little boring and caused me to space out.
For this week, I'd like to give you folks the opportunity to do some prewriting for the introductions to your final portfolio (which I will be talking about more on Thursday). So, in brief, explain how the essays and the weekly blog postings represent (or don't represent) your developing interests academically at BSU and your work in the course? For example, are some of the things you've learned applicable to other classes or things within your major (or possible majors)? Also, what is one thing you found most beneficial about the class and what is one thing that was not beneficial. Briefly explain.
The essays represent my developing interests academically at BSU, my weekly blog postings do not do that. My essays challenge me to be a better writer. My essays have taught me to be consistent, which can help me throughout my career. I am a Biology major, therefore, taking the time to organize and research like I do on my essays really help. Essays require me to stay focus and think outside the box which could be beneficial to me and my major. The most beneficial thing this course offered me were the rough draft review sessions. These sessions help me understand how my work is perceived by other people. The least beneficial part this coursed offered me was holding group conversations within class, and then holding a large group conversation. This was the least beneficial to me because some of the conversations were a little boring and caused me to space out.