Messing with Technology - Turn It In

          The topic for our last discussion in English class was on Turnitin - a device that supposedly makes it easier for the student to submit his or her work and get feedback on originality.  A colored icon appears in a column next to our graded assignment.  Green is the best color to receive.  It means that only 24% of your work or less was borrowed, paraphrased or quoted from other sources.  I just recently learned that there are five colors: 

What I don't get is the color coding on the inside that marks your assignment.

          I would have been more interested in viewing Grademarks or Peermarks, but the tabs wouldn't even open, and so I did not see the point.  Having the colors and source names in columns didn't mean much to me.  It might have well have been sent back to me in Japanese although my understanding of that language is even more limited.   

          I suppose I could research it further, but was told that the site is having technical difficulties.  The way Roland understands it, the university will no longer be using Turnitin.  I would think that may be more stressful for the instructors than for the students.  Maybe not.  I don't know all the ins and outs - except that Turnitin was supposed to be some kind of helpmeet.  I find it ironic that our last discussion was about something that the school has done away with.  Maybe not.  Maybe it has nothing to do with the school.  Maybe it was infected by a virus or sabotaged - which is a shame really, even if I didn't have a full understanding of it. 

          I don't dislike Turnitin - nor do I dislike Blackboard Collaboration (last post) once I get into it.  It's the 30 or 40 minutes of trying to get in (and I have tried several computers) that I don't like.  We were told that if we couldn't get into the writing center because of the Blackboard issues that we needed documentation of trying to get in.  That seems bogus that there would be that need.  If we can't improve for student conveniences (because the way it is set up right now is nowhere near convenient - at least for this student) I am in favor of doing away with it.  

          As of now, I don't know what all the technical rigmarole is involved, but I'm guessing the school has more than just Turnitin to deal with.  Perhaps I will know more this afternoon.  There is an assembly scheduled in an hour.  Should be interesting.

Not Having Success With Blackboard Collaboration

       

          I had an English class on paragraphing during my second mod - which was a great introduction to my class on English composition.   I am happy that this is last week of my third mod.  Love my instructor, but don't care for all the rules that apply to informal writing.  

            So I have been working on the same assignment for four weeks now.  I could pick one of three topics.  I chose soft skills - again, but had forced myself the view it from a different angle - so it wouldn't seem redundant with two other classes that I took. Instead of being part of a team of employees working together, I decided to approach my assignment from the customer's point of view.

            My main gripe is proper communication between the employee and the customer.  Right off the back I came up with two examples of poor service that I had received personally, one from a photography studio that never did establish credibility (at least to my knowledge) and of course my gripes is with T-Mobil as found here

            So, our first week is about brainstorming ideas, or mapping, or free writing, or however, we choose to create an outline.  Our assignment was to be a reflective piece, however, the feedback I received was that it appeared more as a rough draft for my final paper .  She liked my outline and said I would be ahead in the game as I had already created an outline, but I did not receive full credit - though still an A.

            Our second week was to gather evidence.  I LOATHE research.  I loathe referencing and citing.  I followed the instructions for the assignment.  Our instructor was very impressed with the class as a whole.  She said it was the first time she had seen so many follow through and do so well.  It is the only week which shows I have 100%.

            Last week was the rough draft - which I had changed up a bit.  I didn't end up using my complaints (or anybody's regarding any cell phone provider) on T-Mobil.  Instead, I added some more positive comments on customer support with Lowe's as a whole.  I had researched soft skills.  I had researched employment.  I had researched T-Mobil and Lowe's.  I had researched my sources.  I revised my paper over and over.  I had made an appointment with the writing center to go over my assignment.  That was a stressful week.  I had an appointment for a 30-minute one-on-one session. 

It took me 30 minutes just to get in!  It was so stressful!  I hate blackboard collaboration.  I thank the instructor at the other end who took the time to critique my assignment and get it back to me - though she was unable to get it back to me until that evening.  It was the latest I had turned in an assignment.  I think that's part of what was stressing me out - that and stupid blackboard.  28% of my grade depended on last week's overall grade - which is the lowest I've ever had in any of my college classes (but actually quite terrific for my high school GPA - which was actually pretty pathetic)

           

            And then I had come up with all of these other thoughts related to the topic, but not customer service.  Here is what I had thought up:

                "What do Philosopy221 or the Motivation of Psychology have to do with my major? Whether it be in graphic arts or health care, we need to learn soft skills first. But why? Because we need to know more than just our trade. Soft skills are needed by each student to interact with classmates and instructors, to conduct self during an interview for employment and to work well with others in the workforce.

            "I like the idea of Stevens-Henagar or Independence University drawing up my schedule instead of just handing me a catalog and telling me: these are the courses that are needed, and try to pick and choose upon availability. That is frustrating. It is wise on the school's part to assign classes in which soft skills are the focus we need guidance as we post discussions, e-mail our tutors and instructors. Thank you for starting us out on the right path!"

          I had even come across references that I could use. My instructor said I could change it if I wanted, but I thought that was too big of a challenge for just one week - or a week and a half, maybe.  None of my paragraphs seemed to connect - not with the two paragraphs above, not with what I had turned in.  It was awful.

            This week, I think I've got a good final product.  Again, I spent 30 minutes trying to get into blackboard.  My husband finally got me in on the relic laptop that he has.  More stress, but this week is only 18%.  I'm not as stressed.  I have been more prepared this week and had submitted my questions along with the assignment in which I have to have feedback. I have since corrected and submitted my assignment and am done for the week

 YEA! 

           I will miss my instructor, but I will not miss the rules.  I really hope that I don't have to use blackboard again.  If so, I hope that it is a less painful experience for me - or anyone.  What a headache!  I can't remember what bbss stands for:   blackboard collaboration student support?  Right now I fail to see the success.  Stupid blackboard!

New Beginnings: Welcoming Jenna

            I looked online to find sources and give credit to the creator of last night's activity. I found one on pinterest dated March 2011 but there's one on sugardoodle dated 2008 and I would guess even more with early dates.  Though it's gone through many tweaks (as with the young women's, new beginnings, and personal progress themselves) even plausible that it was created before internet access.  Bless those that have shared their ideas through posts and other internet sources.  I commend you, but as I am unable to find the original source, I will not be referring  other sites with this particular post.

            We had to have Jenna at her school by 5:00, though the concert wasn't scheduled to start until 5:30.  Her instructor had advised the class to dress up - girls wear dresses and boys wear ties.  I guess there was some question about why a girl couldn't wear a tie.  He was okay with that and so Jenna chose to wear a tie.  I took her picture before we left the house.

  

              It was a fun a fun concert.  

After it ended, we returned home for Jenna's basketball and went to the church.  She and Roland shot a few hoops before the "New Beginnings" program started.

            Aside from the leaders and their children, we were the first to arrive as they put on the final touches of the decorations and refreshment table.  The theme was:

A "yellow brick road" had been added to the floor that led to the temple

  

            We were each given a program that matched the poster ad

                                                             

            

            Jenna had originally chosen to sit in the back with two of her classmates from primary, but Roland and I moved her to sit with us.  She was moved again just before the meeting started - this time to the very front row where she sat with the young women.

            Our opening song was "I am a Child of God" and then the girls and leaders stood up to do the Young Women's theme  - which was included in the program for those of us who aren't familiar with it

            The young women's president then  stood up to welcome everyone - particularly Jenna, the newest member of the young women.

            We then recited this scripture (while sitting)

            Jenna was then called up by the second counselor who gave an introduction about Jenna.  I have never cried when I've dropped Jenna off at her first day preschool or kindergarten or first grade.  But there were tears in my eyes last night when the first young women took her hand and led her down the yellow brick road and stopped at "faith" to give a message on the value and also gave Jenna a plaque which said:

            Jenna took the sign and continued to walk the path.  Each young women took her by the hand, explained the values of Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice & Accountability, Good Works, Integrity, and Virtue.  Each young woman hugged Jenna before she continued on.

            There are actually more values than young women, and so two of the leaders actually took turn in explaining and hugging.  Jenna looked overwhelmed.

            The personal progress specialist explained a bit more of the program as she presented Jenna with a booklet, and a binder, and the theme, a strength of youth booklet and book for camp and apologized as there was no journal (they had run out), and Jenna's favorite part: a bracelet to build upon - collecting charms and value colors when completing goals and projects. 

bracelet inside the box

  

            Our bishop than got up and touched on the wizard of oz and what each character in the story wants and how it applies to our own life. 

            It really was an awesome meeting.  More than half of us were bawling as we sang:

This is one song that really tugs at my heart strings and I really do
have a hard time singing it (or just hearing it) without getting emotional

            After the closing prayer awards were passed out

 and we had refreshments. 

            Cute names were given to the food like: melted witches brew and Ding Dong(s) the witch is dead (no witches were actually harmed during the making of this treat)  I wish I were able to remember them all.

            Jenna and a few other young women disappeared after the program.  When Roland and I walked out to the car, we found four girls playing basketball against the two young man who had been there for another meeting.  That had  actually the "highlight" of her day.  Silly girl.

             

Thank you for being such a fine example

                Krystal and Hank both attend our ward.  Neither one of them is a baptized member.  Krystal is ten and has been homeschooled up until now;  she loves primary.  She started attending with her grandma and cousin. She loves socialization.  She fits right in.  She loves to be there. Hard to believe that she is not a member.  She drinks the gospel up like it's water - which in a way . . . She LOVES primary.

    Hank was a different story. He was a rebel and it showed.  I don't know the full story, but I get the impression that he's been passed off one relative to another for at least a couple of years.  When he came to stay with his Aunt Ronnie, she had only one rule: he had to attend church with her every Sunday.

    Ronnie has been a member of the Church for less than two years.  She's a go-getter.  She loves the gospel and is not afraid to share.  So Hank sat beside her with a scowl on his face.  Evidently, he went to Sunday school and priesthood and was befriended by those attended those same classes. Gradually he showed desire to go to the activities. Now he gets himself up for early morning seminary - which was not a part of the deal.

    Then yesterday, I was asked in primary, to share a little bit about my mission.  I gave a specific example of a bishop from my first area who had to travel 35 miles to get to the ward.  He made a goal to have a ward house built near the city where he lived.  It's been over 30 years since I taught since I helped to teach those he had befriended and found for us to teach.  I was wondering if he had succeeded in building the ward up in that time and looked up his location after I had returned home from my meetings.  There is a branch in the city where he lives and it appears that he is the branch president.  Way to go!  I'll have to let my primary know next week.

    There are were four LDS youth attending Coffenberry last year.  Jenna was the only girl.  That is one reason she wanted "Utah" and "BYU" shirts for school.  She's already put in several "plugs" about the LDS church.  She wants her peers to continue asking questions.  "So what does BYU stand for?"  well, let me tell you . . .

    How great it is that there are so many positive examples.  I have felt such strength and enthusiasm.  It's been awesome!

College Wear Wednesdays

         

          The students who attend Coffenberry Middle School have been encouraged to wear College shirts so that they can start thinking about the future and start planning for secondary education. We're not too familiar with the colleges here in Oregon.  Oregon Ducks seem to be the most popular in this county.  But it was Beavers who had assisted Jenna and others in an engineering camp that was offered.

          Jenna's familiarity lies within Utah.  She wants shirts from BYU and University of Utah - and so I asked my kids if they could assist with her desire.  Jeanie sent a boxload of College wear, mostly U of U shirts, but Jaime said there was one from BYU, one from Weber State.  Plus she has one from Duke University that we had purchased before Labor Day weekend so that she would have one to wear that first Wednesday.  Now she is stocked for wearing shirts each Wednesday without having to repeat for 8-12 weeks. 

          Only one of her shirts says Oregon.  It is printed on the reverse side of the tie dye shirt that she wore the first day back from Labor Day (I don't think she has worn the Duke's one yet)

  I'll get better pictures of the tees as she wears them.

Sometimes we have to go off course to make Dreams Happen

                For math class this week, we (the students) are required to post a discussion about our dream job.  I think all throughout the course we are required.  We are also required to take ourselves in optional directions.  I know it's a good thing to keep an open mind.  Sometimes our direction is thrown off course.  Sometimes we realize the dreams we're chasing are not really what we want.  Often we're not prepared for the alterations that fall into our path.  Many times we are in control.  Sometimes we're not - but we need to learn how.

                So the math discussion prompt is for me to look into my magic crystal ball and see my future in my dream job with math.  Becoming an accountant was never a dream job.  Working with numbers has always felt more like a nightmare that a dream.  A dream job with numbers?  This is what I posted for my math class yesterday:

"My Dream Job without math . . . that would be a dream, for as we discovered in last week's discussion, math is essential for so much in our lives.  I think it would be fantastic if I did have that ideal awesome job, so awesome in fact, that I would never look at the clock to see what time it is because I am thoroughly enjoying myself that I don't even think about the time.

"Even if that were true, there's still that matter of my paycheck and the money management.  I am majoring in accounting.  I don't feel like that's my dream job, however.  I would like to serve others in a positive way.  My husband is working on his masters in business.  Right now he is considering opening an adult day care.  If the crystal ball is accurate, we will be up and running our business in less than four years.  He will do all the marketing, and I will balance the books, cut checks for payrolls . . . Chances are really great that I will have a need for knowing the decimals that we get to learn this week (yippee)

"If someone else reading the crystal ball would tell me that I can just slide out my future with no math at all, I wouldn't believe it."

            I don't know what I may have considered "the dream job" when I was younger.  Each of us has a different perspective of what the dream job entails.  In the area I live now, I would think that just  finding employment within a 20-mile radius within the county would be a dream job for a lot of people.  There's really not a wide variety to choose from, let alone obtain  - especially for a full time.

                 I would love to get paid for my thoughts - so I could not only make a living, but have a handsome sum to set aside for those emergency situations, or a well-deserved vacation.  I realize there is pocket change to be had through blogging.  I don't enjoy seeing ads clutter up anyone's blog page.  Why would I then let it clutter up mine?

            Few are successful at making their passion work for them in their profession.  There many who have to take a second job to support their dream desires.  My cousin, Michelle, is an artist.  My brother-in-law, Bill, is a photographer and my brother, Corey is an actor.  Each seems to have to hustle from one assignment to the next - or (in Bill's case) do it on the side more as a hobby, and if he should get paid for what he loves, maybe it's a perk.

                Roland asked me what it is that I love that I could make money on.  I'm not going to love it if I have to put a price tag on it.  He doesn't get it, but there are some of us who do relate to Harry Connick's character, Justin Matisse from Hope Floats when he says:

                "You're talkin' 'bout the American Dream. You find something that you love, and then you twist it, and you torture it, try and find a way to make money at it. You spend a lifetime doing that. At the end, you can't find a trace of what you started out lovin'. What did you start out lovin'?"

            The choices of majors for an online college seem to be limited.  I went with accounting, because of the four choices, it seemed the most promising as far as finding a job.  Plus, my belief was that I could be left in a backroom to do my thing and I wouldn't have to socialize with anybody.  I'm learning quickly that with any job I get, I am going to be a part of a team and I will need to contribute to more than just the books. 
 

                Here are my speaker's notes of a power point which was the last assignment I had to turn in for the philosophy class that I took last mod; the one I had attempted to correct in this post:

"I became an accountant so that my employer would stick me in a back room to do the books and I would not have to talk to anyone. My knowledge would be of our spending and profit; that would be it.  Why would I ever need to learn what takes place on the floor?  It is not my job to mingle with the clients or other employees. 

"For example, if I was working in an adult daycare,  I wouldn’t have to know  what time the seniors eat; just what was spent  on food and what profit we made. That is all I was hired for, right?

"If a client were to ask a CEO or one of his employees a question, ideally the answer would be the same.   Would that also apply to the accountant?  Would the accountant have to attend all of the meetings as the CEO to fully understand the ins and outs of the company?  Would the CEO have to go on Undercover Boss to understand the employees who might think they’re at the bottom of the totem pole?  It’s a matter of communication and respect. 

"We each have something to bring to the table.  What is it that brought us to adult day care?  Why do we care about this company?  What can we add to the company that others may benefit?  How do we achieve this goal? By working together, by researching the needs of our clients, learning their likes and dislikes and understanding what will work best for them.

"Now say, for instance, we were having a meeting about ways to improve the center or bring in more clientele.  First, we need to brainstorm what it is we'd like to accomplish and share our ideas.  Don't be afraid of making suggestions.  If you think there's something valid to share - share it.  We need to listen to one another - even if we don't agree with what is being said, we need to allow each team member to complete his or her thoughts. Furthermore, we need to work together and utilize our skills and talents. 

"Band members need to listen and take cues, not only from their conductor but the other instruments which surround them.  Sports team players need to understand the communication both off and on the field so that they may play a successful game.  CEOs and those they employee need to work as a team and stay in sync so that everyone can understand what is expected to make for a successful company. A good leader will delegate effectively. 

"Now I understand.  I am still a link in the chain of a working function.  If the client or anyone expressing potential interest asks me about Generations Adult Day Care, my answer should come out the same as the business owner.  I need to know more than just the book end of the business.  I must be a team player as well.

"Remember to be a team player. Every employee and position are necessary for any company to function as a whole. It is important for all participants involved that they maintain a positive attitude,  don’t allow your emotions to cloud your reason. Contribute to the workforce and share their ideas.  We are each in a different stage of critical thinking, which is a good thing, as we need the diversity.  We need to rely on one another so that we can function together as a whole. As we take these steps to work together, our communication is bound to improve."

             I had actually borrowed the "band member . . ." paragraph for an assignment I had done in another class.  However, with the English class I am currently taking, I am learning that I have to come up with new ideas and not borrowing from past assignments.  Whoops.

            I have such a strong belief in communication, and have used it as my theme in past assignments, so instead of looking at it from the employees perspective, I have decided to approach this assignment from the consumer's point of view.  I actually have more ideas as a consumer than I do first-hand knowledge as an employee.  Perhaps it will make for a better assignment.