'Tips for Success'
In order to help students better understand the differences between writing a paper for an English or humanities class and writing a paper for a science course, I have finished up a series of articles in the Academic Writing section on Suite 101.
The series takes a look at the differences between science and humanities papers read “Science and Humanities Papers the Differences.”
It also offers students help on writing scientific papers in “How to Write a Scientific Research Paper” as well as explaining the different required sections in “Identifying Parts of a Scientific Research Paper.” Finally the different types of styles used in formatting science and humanities papers are reviewed in MLA, APA or URM? Different Research Paper Styles. All of the articles are listed in the right sidebar of the blog under “Science vs. English Papers.”
Image Source:
Anders Sandberg. Research. Creative Commons License.
October 25th, 2009
Two skills that many online instructor’s figure their students have coming into the course are knowing how to copy and paste information and also knowing how to save documents in different formats like .rtf or .pdf files.
The new version of Microsoft creates documents as a .docx format, which is only readable if the person has the latest version of Microsoft (or has the program to convert files). Another issue with Microsoft documents even just .docs it that they are more likely to transmit viruses.
The concern about transmitting computer viruses is the main reason that many instructors require that documents submitted as attachments (which will be opened by the instructor) are submitted as .rtf, .txt or .pdf files.
I found a couple of great online Video resources on YouTube with reminders about some basic computer skills that many online instructors figure their students already know how to do.
Take a look at Tips for Converting Documents and Tips for Copying and Pasting Information if you need a reminder in how to use either of these skills on the Online Success Page of this blog.
Image Source: Wikimedia. Control cut copy paste.jpg. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts.
February 19th, 2009
Just a reminder about the online lectures for the course.
You can find them in the right hand side bar under “Additional Online Links” or by following this link, Lecture Links Recorded Lectures.
All of the lectures for the course have been archived through CCC Confer so you can get them through your computer.
Here is a rather amusing comment from one of the online students this semester about using the Virtual Lectures:
“I just wanted to say I love the virtual lectures.
I have never had an on-line class with narrated power point lectures, its just like being in class. My daughter enjoyed it, too. She thought it was neat that my instructor was inside the computer. In fact, when I went to close my laptop she yelled, “No, Mommy! Don’t close that! Your teacher is in there!” (She tends to take things very literally) I am really looking forward to the semester. Thanks again.
February 16th, 2009
The most important thing for you to do during the first week is to take some time and determine a study plan.
Figure out when your exams and assignments are due, mark them on a calendar or day planner.
Decide how you are going to budget your time to learn the material and complete the assignments. The “Course” Page of this blog includes many helpful resources and assessments to help you figure out how to assess your study skills and manage your time.
Also included are suggestions and tips that I have compiled for the Nutrition students including Tips for Success in Nutrition & Wellness, Tips for Learning the Lecture Material and General Study Tips.
Taking a look at these resources early in the class, getting yourself organized for the semester will help you to succeed in the Nutrition and Wellness Course.
Jenny W. Get Organized. Royalty Free Use.
August 21st, 2008
The “Online” Page of this blog includes a variety of Tips for students to improve their success in distance education.
This page includes “Are You Ready to Learn Online?” a great introduction from Cerro Coso College, on to determining if you are ready to take an online course. I highly recommend that all online students take some kind of self-assessment to determine if their learning styles, study and computer skills are in line with taking an online course.
There are also some Suggestions for Being a Successful Online Student, part of the Online Orientation for Columbia College Students along with links to Other Online Self Assessments.
For students who are near Columbia College, the College offers “How to Succeed as an Online Student” or CMPSC101 is offered both Fall and Spring semesters and is designed as an orientation to online learning and our current online course management system, Blackboard Learning System.
Image Sources:
Steve Woods. Surfing 2. Royalty Free Use.
August 20th, 2008
Labels for Sara Lee’s “Soft & Smooth Made With Whole Grain White Bread” will have to be changed to make it clear that the product is only 30 percent whole grain not as part of an agreement the company has reached with the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
The consumer advocacy group had threatened in December 2007 to sue Sara Lee because the company’s claims of “whole grain goodness” on Soft & Smooth have been misleading.
The bread is really made mainly from refined white flour, not whole grains.
Other Misleading Product Statements
The Center for Science in the Public Interest also points out that plenty of food companies try to give consumers the impression that their white-flour-based products are “made with whole grain” even if there is only a small amount. Kraft uses phrases like “good source of whole grain” or “excellent source of whole grain” on labels even if the product is mostly refined white flour.
CSPI litigation director Steve Gardner points out that
Companies that use the phrase ‘whole grain’ absolutely have the legal responsibility under state consumer protection laws to disclose exactly how much whole grain is there.
Yet another case of Caveat emptor or Let the Buyer Beware.
Source: Center for Science in the Public Interest. July 21, 2008. Sara Lee to Make Clear its “Made with Whole Grain White Bread” is 30 Percent Whole Grain. Press Release.
July 21st, 2008
