Module Six

This week I have nothing to report in regards to my progress on the literature review. I had been inundated with homework and for the first time I did not work at all on my internship (bad, bad, bad), but this week I plan on doing double duty. I am in the process of learning in-depth research and this does not come naturally. I have never had to apply this type of research methods and I am also learning how to do grants at the same time for this class. My goal for this week is to get at least two pages or more completed in my literature review. I will reiterate for me beginning the process of writing is the hardest part, once I begin and get past the two pages I am able move at a much faster pace, so I keeping my fingers crossed. I also want to start adding more content to the LibGuide and format it. So here is to keeping my fingers crossed and two pages of literature review writing and LibGuide formatting.

Module Five

I have begun working on my literature review and have finished the outline, abstract and I am now working on the introduction portion of the review of the literature. I personally find it vexing the first two pages of writing, I am not a natural writer and even starting a literature review can be difficult for me. I have friends that are natural writers and can begin a story with the greatest of ease, this in enviable talent. But by writing it helps build the skills needed as well provides me we depth of understanding of the subject matter, far better than reading a text-book. 

Moving onto our discussion board the topic was about virtual meetings and tips on working virtually from your home. I have kept one textbook which I keep on my shelf of my desk that is eye level; often I refer to the writings within this book. The tile of the book is the following:

Stewart, John, Zediker, Karen, & Witteborn, Saskia. Together Communicating Interpersonally: A Social Construction Approach, 6^th ed. Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury Publishing Company, 2005.

The reason why I bring this book up is that communication is an important aspect of working whether virtually or in a building. One important aspect of communicating is listening. The authors refer to group listening in which we listen utilizing three forms analytic, empathetic, and dialogic. We analyze by evaluating what the other person is saying. As we listen we are empathetic by trying to understand what the person is trying to articulate to us. Combine both analytic and empathetic in order to come up with a form of dialogic listening. Another tip is not to just ask why, construct your question into a sentence.

Module 4: SL Virtual Internship

I completed my annotated bibliography so yeah, now this week I can begin my literature review on service-learning. I hope I can spend several hours on the outline and begin the rough draft. I have difficulties beginning on a subject matter, but once I get into it, I am able to hyper-focus on the work that needs to be completed. It is already hump day, and I am just getting to my other classes. Next week should be a better week in regards to time. Ah life, it is amazing how it will inevitably interfere with what needs to be done. So I am hoping for smooth sailing. This week in class we talked about the Pareto Principle the 80/20 rule, focus on the 20% of the most important tasks for the week and let the 80% basically fall into place after you complete the list of the 20%, am I confusing you? Basically write out the most important tasks and complete them before you move onto the 80% (the white noise), if only life was that simple. 

Whilst writing my annotated bibliography I found quite a bit of additional information on Service-Learning. It is amazing what you can come up with using King Library's rocking database (they have the best databases that I have ever had access to). This information will shore up my literature review. I was quite pleased to find information on Service-Learning and academic libraries, so I am breathing a sigh a relief. I hope I am able to find additional related materials as well when I begin my literature review.

I almost forgot to mention in regards to concentrating and learning the material, the article I read suggest Mind Mapping, and have concur that this piece of technology will help with the learning process, check out source forge for free mind mapping software here is the direct link:

 http://sourceforge.net/projects/freemind/?source=directory

and/or check-out the directory for other mind mapping tools an software

http://sourceforge.net/directory/os:windows/freshness:recently-updated/?q=mind%20mapping

Virtual Internships & Time

I have not gotten into a stride; every instructor has their format on how they present their class, so it usually takes me a couple weeks to understand what they want from their students. I have been ill as well and I am finally recovering. For my own internship I would like to put 2.25 per day x 5 days a week, starting next week, I hope. 
In the interim I have three assignments due on the 15^th of September. I also enjoyed Lauren Stewart’s blog/article and I liked her tips in regards to “asking for help and being flexible.” 

I need to complete the editing of my annotated bibliography by the 15^th of September, so I can move onto the literature review. I admit I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, but it seems that is when I perform my best. 

We read three articles on virtual internships below are my tips that I posted on discussion board. 

My three tips that work for me go through each week’s assignment and figure out what is due for that week and write it on post-it note and I find it is always a relief to tear or crumple up the post-it note when the assignment is completed.

Second tip; eat a decent breakfast so you can concentrate on what you are doing.

Third tip, set timelines for yourself and try to meet them, I personally have a success rate of 80/20, but no matter what I do life gets in the way, and that’s okay, breathe and keep pushing through.

It has been a busy week thus far...

This week I will do my final editing on my annotated bibliography and my hopes are I can begin the literature review. I know as I delve deeper in the subject my references will change throughout the development of my literature review. I believe I have a much better understanding of service learning. Last week and this week has been a busy week. I have been editing a Prezi module I began a few weeks before school started for SJSU SLIS, 23 Things for SLIS Students & Alumni: Essentials for Professional Success. I am hoping to have the module completed today so I may concentrate on the internship and my other classes. That’s all for now, I will re-post hopefully this week with additional information on my progress for my internship.