Part 1. Reflections on Course Content
For the class discussion assignment, I used my knowledge of what I have learned so far in this class. I did the bare bones tutorial then completed my Web Search assignment checking out the virtual libraries, search engines, meta-searches and commercial web portals. For the advanced google search I used Google U.S. Government search and the Google Scholar. I used my knowledge again to complete my web site citations assignment. The evaluating web sites assignment I used what I had in other assignments.
Some observations that I spotted was using quotation marks around my keywords with AND in between each set was very helpful. This gave me far fewer results and then I did not waste time going through useless information. I think I need to personally work on finding some different key words and how to use them so that I can get some different results that are also helpful with my topic.
Part 2. Applications to your Life
Out of all the assignments that we did this week I really liked the virtual libraries because they seemed more helpful with my topic than the search engines. I really did not like the meta-search and was not really helpful with my topic. I especially enjoyed the Bare Bones Tutorial, I really learned a lot on how to narrow down my searches. The one thing I learned (and already knew) was that I need to make a hard copy of all my assignments. I had all of my week 6 assignments printed out but did not save them in my computer therefore I had to retype all of them but my revised research plan. I won't make that mistake ever again.
I followed my daily planner, schedule and calendars as well as I could. I worked on keeping up with my work as best as I could and I really enjoyed the assignments this week. I learned a lot. I ended up getting sick this last weekend and yesterday was the first day that I started feeling better. I had a bad sinus infection but once I got rid of that darn headache I was ready to go. Now I am just dealing with the cold and cough but am much better now.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Journal -- Week 6
Part 1. Reflections on Course Content
My search strategy assignment, I went to ProQuest and selected subjects to find other subjects related to my topic. The periodical database assignment, I went to ProQuest again and also Academic Search Premier Database. The purpose of this assignment was to familiarize me with information that was on the database such as dates covered, subject areas, and types of periodicals. My search results assignment I used the Academic Search Premier Database.
I finally learned this week how to get the results for the information I was looking for instead of a bunch of results that had nothing to do with my topic except for a few. I learned that just using one or two words produced mass results but if I used the AND operation between words I got fewer results that had to do with my topic. When I just typed in Afghanistan War, I got 458 results and only a few had to do with my topic. When I typed in International Relations AND Afghanistan War it produced 8 results that had to do with my topic.
Part 2. Applications to your Life
The assignments this week were very helpful for me. I found key terms and key words that I could use for my assignment to find more information about exactly what I am looking for to make my topic global. I especially enjoyed learning about the Academic Search Premier Database because it helped me with other subject terms for my assignment to get the information that I want. I am happy with my results of my searches to narrow down the results to information that I need. I have learned so much on how to do a search and get fewer results. I thought I would never figure this one out.
My personal learning time went well for me this week and my time and stress management went well also. I was a little stressed because I had to go back in my math class and redo some assignments to fully understand them which put me a little behind but I caught up quickly and stuck to my daily planner, calendars and schedule this week which made things a lot less stressful.
My search strategy assignment, I went to ProQuest and selected subjects to find other subjects related to my topic. The periodical database assignment, I went to ProQuest again and also Academic Search Premier Database. The purpose of this assignment was to familiarize me with information that was on the database such as dates covered, subject areas, and types of periodicals. My search results assignment I used the Academic Search Premier Database.
I finally learned this week how to get the results for the information I was looking for instead of a bunch of results that had nothing to do with my topic except for a few. I learned that just using one or two words produced mass results but if I used the AND operation between words I got fewer results that had to do with my topic. When I just typed in Afghanistan War, I got 458 results and only a few had to do with my topic. When I typed in International Relations AND Afghanistan War it produced 8 results that had to do with my topic.
Part 2. Applications to your Life
The assignments this week were very helpful for me. I found key terms and key words that I could use for my assignment to find more information about exactly what I am looking for to make my topic global. I especially enjoyed learning about the Academic Search Premier Database because it helped me with other subject terms for my assignment to get the information that I want. I am happy with my results of my searches to narrow down the results to information that I need. I have learned so much on how to do a search and get fewer results. I thought I would never figure this one out.
My personal learning time went well for me this week and my time and stress management went well also. I was a little stressed because I had to go back in my math class and redo some assignments to fully understand them which put me a little behind but I caught up quickly and stuck to my daily planner, calendars and schedule this week which made things a lot less stressful.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Journal -- Week 5
Part 1. Reflections on Course Content
For this week assignments I completed all the readings and went to the websites requested to get the information I needed to complete my assignments. For the MLA citations assignment when we had to pick our own web site I chose to go to the Foreign Policy Magazine because I have been using this a lot with my research. I enjoyed learning how to cite my works correctly because I have to do it in one of my other classes but I have to use APA style which can be confusing between the two classes. It has been very helpful in getting my citations correct. I did not have to do any searches this week for this class, but I still need to work on what terms work best. I know this because I have to do research in my other class and I am still having some difficulty.
Part 2. Applications to your Life
I think the assignments were very important this week. The only problems I ran into this week was not following my schedule, calendars, and daily planner which made miss my Saturday assignment and get a little behind in my math class. I have found that in the past five weeks that the schedule, calendars and daily planner is very important to follow because it messes things up and things don't get done. My stress has been a little high this week because I missed the MLA assignment and got behind in my math class which is going to show up on my midterm and so now I am frustrated with myself. I won't make that same mistake twice though! It has been a tough week with my time and stress management. I will be keeping up with my schedule, calendars and daily planner now that I know what happens when you don't follow it. I will have better luck in week 6, this is my positive attitude kicking in.
For this week assignments I completed all the readings and went to the websites requested to get the information I needed to complete my assignments. For the MLA citations assignment when we had to pick our own web site I chose to go to the Foreign Policy Magazine because I have been using this a lot with my research. I enjoyed learning how to cite my works correctly because I have to do it in one of my other classes but I have to use APA style which can be confusing between the two classes. It has been very helpful in getting my citations correct. I did not have to do any searches this week for this class, but I still need to work on what terms work best. I know this because I have to do research in my other class and I am still having some difficulty.
Part 2. Applications to your Life
I think the assignments were very important this week. The only problems I ran into this week was not following my schedule, calendars, and daily planner which made miss my Saturday assignment and get a little behind in my math class. I have found that in the past five weeks that the schedule, calendars and daily planner is very important to follow because it messes things up and things don't get done. My stress has been a little high this week because I missed the MLA assignment and got behind in my math class which is going to show up on my midterm and so now I am frustrated with myself. I won't make that same mistake twice though! It has been a tough week with my time and stress management. I will be keeping up with my schedule, calendars and daily planner now that I know what happens when you don't follow it. I will have better luck in week 6, this is my positive attitude kicking in.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Week 4 - Journal
Part 1. Reflections on Course Content
The readings for this week were very informative. I really enjoyed them and I especially liked the Theories of Knowledge because I never looked at the information in our lives in that way. How I Know - Part 1 was difficult because it was tough deciding which website was correct about the word Canuck. How I Know - Part 2 was a lot of fun because it put what I know and what I don't know into perspective. The Research Plan really helped in my topic this week so that I may not have to change it because I am actually finding information. The Selecting information sources was very informative in what I need to use in my research project. I see how each week adds into the next week's work. Each week has gotten me a lot farther with my topic because I was having difficulty in the beginning.
Part 2. Applications to your Life
I actually did not run into problems this week. If anything this week's work has helped me get farther with my topic and I am actually finding information that I need. I really liked reading "Critically Analyzing Information Sources", this will come in real handy as I continue my research. It will help in making sure that my information is a fact and not an opinion.
I am so proud of myself because I follow my calendars, my schedule, and daily planner and it has really helped me with my stress and time management. I am able to be a mom, work, keep up on housework, keep up on homework and get things done. I really don't sleep a whole lot but that comes with being a mom of four. Got to do my homework after we have had family time and the children are put to bed. I get so much more accomplished on my homework when the house is quiet and I don't have repeated interruptions.
The readings for this week were very informative. I really enjoyed them and I especially liked the Theories of Knowledge because I never looked at the information in our lives in that way. How I Know - Part 1 was difficult because it was tough deciding which website was correct about the word Canuck. How I Know - Part 2 was a lot of fun because it put what I know and what I don't know into perspective. The Research Plan really helped in my topic this week so that I may not have to change it because I am actually finding information. The Selecting information sources was very informative in what I need to use in my research project. I see how each week adds into the next week's work. Each week has gotten me a lot farther with my topic because I was having difficulty in the beginning.
Part 2. Applications to your Life
I actually did not run into problems this week. If anything this week's work has helped me get farther with my topic and I am actually finding information that I need. I really liked reading "Critically Analyzing Information Sources", this will come in real handy as I continue my research. It will help in making sure that my information is a fact and not an opinion.
I am so proud of myself because I follow my calendars, my schedule, and daily planner and it has really helped me with my stress and time management. I am able to be a mom, work, keep up on housework, keep up on homework and get things done. I really don't sleep a whole lot but that comes with being a mom of four. Got to do my homework after we have had family time and the children are put to bed. I get so much more accomplished on my homework when the house is quiet and I don't have repeated interruptions.
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