Hello my students,
This has been a tiring week and we're all glad it's over. I'm happy that it ended with the CL building's Fun Fair. They worked very hard on their projects, and I was quite impressed with many of the displays. Now, of course, we have a three-day weekend, and I think it is well-deserved. The good news is that Tuesday is March 1st, and March is a spring month.
Research Paper:
Most of you have nearly completed the Research Paper, and all that remains is tying up the loose ends. Don't slow down. You want it to be as good as possible. On Monday, Corinna and I will return your drafts, we'll talk about the cover page and table of contents, and I will give you a final checklist for your paper. I will also show you the evaluation grid, so you'll understand the marking system. We'll spend some time in the morning in the computer lab, and all that will remain will be the final printing and binding on Tuesday morning.
One point in the Final Checklist mentions the contents of the conclusion - a restatement of the thesis, the opinion of the author, and a prediction about the future. Because this is not an essay but rather a research paper, these three items are usually dealt with in different paragraphs. That is the easiest way. So your conclusion should be about a page in length, and should cover the above three points.
Research Oral Presentation:
There have been changes in presenting order and I think that the following applies:
Wednesday: Anh and Anas
Thursday: Betty, Enze, and HaoRan
Friday: Saud and Jadey
Please do your homework. Read pages 215 - 220 in the first part of the binder. You worked a lot on your paper, and presenting your research is also important. We'll go over the information on Tuesday, but certainly those students who will present this coming week must start preparing.
International Lunch:
International Lunch will be Tuesday afternoon, and Corinna has kindly offered to receive us in her home. I'm anxious to taste the delicious food. I've heard that Peter and HaoRan are good cooks, and I'm sure there are many others. There's a saying which says that "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach", and that applies to women as well. It was interesting to see that the most serious incidences of discrimination in your blogs were against women. Remember that one of your homework assignments is to suggest at least 2 dishes you would like to prepare - I asked for 2 so we wouldn't have too much chicken! Vegetarian dishes are always good. I believe they leave the smallest carbon footprint. Remember, no pork!
Next week:
Week 8 will be busy (no surprise). You have been doing a lot of reading, a lot of writing, and with the Research Presentations, you'll be doing a lot of listening, and some speaking. Presenting your research is not easy, and presenting it to a bland or a small audience makes it more difficult. Because an animated audience is required, you (all students) will lose points on your research projects if you are absent. You will also lose points if you show a lack of interest (fall asleep, don't pay attention, don't ask questions during the question period).
On Monday I will return your SAQs (short answer questions) to the video on Discrimination. Your final evaluations will consist of SAQs, and we will be working on these when time allows.
Next Friday will also be our last Museum outing, and we will visit the Museum of Archaeology, which is my favourite. You'll see a video presentation of the history of Montreal, you'll speak with ghosts of yesteryear, and you'll get an understanding of the history of Montreal and the history of its most famous street, Ste. Catherine Street.
New Unit - Blog
Our next unit deals with Emotional Intelligence. It deals with the differences that people have with regards learning, relating to the world, feelings, and empathy. Please blog your reaction.
What is empathy? Do you know people who have or don't have empathy?
Why do some people have more empathy than others?
What is learning and how does empathy affect learning?
Fun Fair - Blog
What did you find amazing? How did you feel, back in the CL building? Please blog.
Have a very good weekend.
Teresa
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Friday, January 11th, 2011
Hello my students,
Time moves, and as always we are not standing still. Week 5 is finished, and we have completed half of level 8. That is both exciting and frightening because when this level finishes, you'll be part of a much larger mechanism - a university with ? how many students? maybe someone will tell me on Monday.
Please don't slow down. Corinna and I are very happy with the work you've produced so far. You need to apply everything you've learned in the first 5 weeks to the work we will be doing from now to the end of the course.
The main assignment for this weekend is to work on your research.
You should be surveying your books and articles and mapping your ideas.
If you decide to work on a section, remember to make a detailed outline of that section. Include in your outline the name of the authors.
Your blogging assignment for this weekend is to answer the 3 following discussion questions on Poplulation.
1. How many children did your grandparents have? What about your parents? How many children do you want to have?
2. What is the populatrion of your country? What impact does the population have on the quality of life there?
3. Has there been a significant population shift in your country from rural areas to urban areas? If yes, what are the consequences?
Remember to react to your classmate's posts.
Preactivity Quiz
Read the following statements and answer T / F. Be prepared to explain your answers to your classmates on Monday morning.
1. World population is still an important topic. T / F
2. We know exactly how many people there are in the world today. T / F
3. World population has stopped growing. T / F
4. The population in some parts of the world has decreased. T / F
5. The world population crisis is over and it's not a problem anymore. T / F
6. Since the world has so much empty space, one solution to the problem of overpopulation is for people to move to less crowded areas. T / F
Have a good weekend. The weather will be warm on Sunday. We had a lovely visit to the Science Museum today. You should all go with friends, if only to find out WHO has the stronger will and can move the ball with their brain power (I failed). But, it was a fun day and the sun was shining.
Time moves, and as always we are not standing still. Week 5 is finished, and we have completed half of level 8. That is both exciting and frightening because when this level finishes, you'll be part of a much larger mechanism - a university with ? how many students? maybe someone will tell me on Monday.
Please don't slow down. Corinna and I are very happy with the work you've produced so far. You need to apply everything you've learned in the first 5 weeks to the work we will be doing from now to the end of the course.
The main assignment for this weekend is to work on your research.
You should be surveying your books and articles and mapping your ideas.
If you decide to work on a section, remember to make a detailed outline of that section. Include in your outline the name of the authors.
Your blogging assignment for this weekend is to answer the 3 following discussion questions on Poplulation.
1. How many children did your grandparents have? What about your parents? How many children do you want to have?
2. What is the populatrion of your country? What impact does the population have on the quality of life there?
3. Has there been a significant population shift in your country from rural areas to urban areas? If yes, what are the consequences?
Remember to react to your classmate's posts.
Preactivity Quiz
Read the following statements and answer T / F. Be prepared to explain your answers to your classmates on Monday morning.
1. World population is still an important topic. T / F
2. We know exactly how many people there are in the world today. T / F
3. World population has stopped growing. T / F
4. The population in some parts of the world has decreased. T / F
5. The world population crisis is over and it's not a problem anymore. T / F
6. Since the world has so much empty space, one solution to the problem of overpopulation is for people to move to less crowded areas. T / F
Have a good weekend. The weather will be warm on Sunday. We had a lovely visit to the Science Museum today. You should all go with friends, if only to find out WHO has the stronger will and can move the ball with their brain power (I failed). But, it was a fun day and the sun was shining.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday, February 4th
Hello my students,
Week four is over, we've turned the calendar, and now we're into the last winter month (spring arrives on March 21st). I'm sure you are all somewhat tired, yet happy that the weeks are speeding by and that you are accomplishing so much.
This last week we had the last three novel presentations, there was a public lecture presentation, we spent time at the library, learning how to access the database, and we learned about "mapping", a new note-taking technique. We worked on paraphrasing, citing, referencing, you wrote an integrated summary, and you got books and articles for your paper. We started a new unit on animal experimentation, some of you wrote the introduction to your paper, some of you experienced your first snowstorm, and many of you celebrated the New Year. I wish all of you very good luck in this Year of the Rabbit!
What a busy week!
Here are some reminders:
Animal Experimentation: read articles 2, 3, 4, and 5 - write the main ideas of the paragraphs in the margin, and this will help you discuss the articles on Monday. Remember to highlight or underline any information that you think could be used in an argument either for or against animal experimentation.
Research paper: continue moving ahead. Two people have recently changed their topics, and that's good. It's only by looking for information that you will learn that another approach is more interesting, or another topic is easier to research. It's O.K. to start with one idea but end up with a very different one, only it can't all happen in week 7.
Blogging: discuss the novel project. What phases did you enjoy / learn the most from? Explain. Remember, the project was divided into three phases:
* reading / class discussions with your group
* written review
* oral presentations (your own and your classmates)
Don't forget to comment on at least 3 of your classmate's blogs.
You all worked hard and did well. Continue this way.
I will give you your novel project marks on Monday.
Next week, we will continue with Animal Experimentation. Once we complete the readings and the videos, we will have a debate and then do an essay writing. We'll also start the Intelligence unit, which leads to an integrated summary. Of course we will continue working on our research project, finding more information, reading, and notetaking.
Have a good weekend, rest up, and arrive happy and healthy on Monday morning. Next Friday is Museum Friday, and I know the Science Museum will be more interesting than the Museum of Contemporary Art. It can't be less.
Teresa
Week four is over, we've turned the calendar, and now we're into the last winter month (spring arrives on March 21st). I'm sure you are all somewhat tired, yet happy that the weeks are speeding by and that you are accomplishing so much.
This last week we had the last three novel presentations, there was a public lecture presentation, we spent time at the library, learning how to access the database, and we learned about "mapping", a new note-taking technique. We worked on paraphrasing, citing, referencing, you wrote an integrated summary, and you got books and articles for your paper. We started a new unit on animal experimentation, some of you wrote the introduction to your paper, some of you experienced your first snowstorm, and many of you celebrated the New Year. I wish all of you very good luck in this Year of the Rabbit!
What a busy week!
Here are some reminders:
Animal Experimentation: read articles 2, 3, 4, and 5 - write the main ideas of the paragraphs in the margin, and this will help you discuss the articles on Monday. Remember to highlight or underline any information that you think could be used in an argument either for or against animal experimentation.
Research paper: continue moving ahead. Two people have recently changed their topics, and that's good. It's only by looking for information that you will learn that another approach is more interesting, or another topic is easier to research. It's O.K. to start with one idea but end up with a very different one, only it can't all happen in week 7.
Blogging: discuss the novel project. What phases did you enjoy / learn the most from? Explain. Remember, the project was divided into three phases:
* reading / class discussions with your group
* written review
* oral presentations (your own and your classmates)
Don't forget to comment on at least 3 of your classmate's blogs.
You all worked hard and did well. Continue this way.
I will give you your novel project marks on Monday.
Next week, we will continue with Animal Experimentation. Once we complete the readings and the videos, we will have a debate and then do an essay writing. We'll also start the Intelligence unit, which leads to an integrated summary. Of course we will continue working on our research project, finding more information, reading, and notetaking.
Have a good weekend, rest up, and arrive happy and healthy on Monday morning. Next Friday is Museum Friday, and I know the Science Museum will be more interesting than the Museum of Contemporary Art. It can't be less.
Teresa
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
February 1st - Research Paper
Hello my students,
I hope that you are not feeling overwhelmed. You are learning many new things, and for some this winter can be challenging as well as beautiful. Be careful to remain healthy over the next few weeks. Warm, dry feet is number one. A good night's sleep is number two. I'm sure you can tell me what three and four are.
So, I want you to post, by 8:00 tonight,
- the topic of your research paper (it must not be too general, like "oil" or "food" or "banks")
- the reason why you are choosing this topic
- the five areas (chapters) that you would like to explore with the topic
- the 2 (minimum) information resources that you have so far found (books / journals)
- your reaction to today's library visit
I also want you to respond to at least three of your classmates blogs. Each respose should be a short paragrah, not "good luck" or "that's a cool topic". Say why you find the topic interesting or maybe suggest a slightly different one, comment on the areas or chapters that the person plans to explore or perhaps you think it will be difficult to find information or the topic is too broad. In other words, make useful comments.
I look forward to 8:00 to read what you say.
Teresa
I hope that you are not feeling overwhelmed. You are learning many new things, and for some this winter can be challenging as well as beautiful. Be careful to remain healthy over the next few weeks. Warm, dry feet is number one. A good night's sleep is number two. I'm sure you can tell me what three and four are.
So, I want you to post, by 8:00 tonight,
- the topic of your research paper (it must not be too general, like "oil" or "food" or "banks")
- the reason why you are choosing this topic
- the five areas (chapters) that you would like to explore with the topic
- the 2 (minimum) information resources that you have so far found (books / journals)
- your reaction to today's library visit
I also want you to respond to at least three of your classmates blogs. Each respose should be a short paragrah, not "good luck" or "that's a cool topic". Say why you find the topic interesting or maybe suggest a slightly different one, comment on the areas or chapters that the person plans to explore or perhaps you think it will be difficult to find information or the topic is too broad. In other words, make useful comments.
I look forward to 8:00 to read what you say.
Teresa
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