That's A Wrap For Week 2

Goodbye Week 2, Hello Week 3!

From http://www.wmich.edu/registrar/calendars/

Since beginning the Shorter Online Program I've noticed some major differences between the online classes and traditional classes. Here are some of the advantages for me.

1. Online classes are more flexible. Instead of being required to meet on campus at a certain room at a certain time, I'm able to study and complete assignments day or night, as long as they are turned in by the deadline.
2. Online classes allow me to plan ahead. If I know I'll be having a busy weekend, I can work extra hard during the week to get ahead. Or I can plan accordingly to work on-the-go if I'm traveling to my hometown to visit family.
3. Online sessions I and II, I think it's so wonderful how the classes are covered in a shorter time span. I'd rather focus on two classes for a shorter period of time, than have four or more classes going at once over the course of an entire semester.
4. Online classes seem to foster more thoughtful replies between students. Sometimes it's hard to know what to say to other people on the spot. With online classes, it gives you time to think of a genuine, helpful response.
5. So far, I haven't had any problems getting in contact with my professors. All of my emails have been replied to in a quick turn-around. So I'm not worried about getting help when I need it.

And, here are some of the disadvantages. But luckily there's only a few of them.

1. Not getting to meet the other students and professors in-person. With online classes sometimes a person's personality doesn't show through as well as it would with a face-to-face meeting.
2. Living so far away from campus, it'll be harder to be a part of campus life and network with other students. Since there's no online student clubs/forums that's ruled out. However, I do hope to make it to a football game or play while I'm visiting family in the west Georgia area.
3. Also, living so far away from the campus bookstore, I'm going to have to order books and merchandise online, paying the extra shipping costs each semester.

But I honestly feel that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Helpful College Writing Links

From: http://farafinabooks.wordpress.com/

Here are some helpful college writing links that were mentioned during Week 2. I am posting them here for quick future reference.

• Purdue University ’s OWL Online Writing Lab
• Dartmouth Writing Guide
• Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.
• Online Grammar Handbook
• Example of APA style guidelines

I plan to use these links, along with some I have discovered on my own, to continue to improve my writing skills.

• Modern Language Association (MLA)
• APA Style
• Cornell University Library
• Transitional Words
• Writer's Block

Plagiarism - Week 1 & 2

From http://www.plagiarismchecker.net/

During Week 1 our class read a New York Times articles on plagiarism and discussed the author's viewpoints and our own on one of the class forums. This week in our resources we have an anti-plagiarism tutorial that includes examples of plagiarism and how to avoid it. According to this week's resource, plagiarism is mainly caused by these errors:

1. Procrastination 
2. Incomplete Understanding of Original Material
3. Citation Mistakes
4. Poor note-taking

To avoid plagiarism avoid procrastination! Start on your work early and break it into manageable chunks. If you don't understand the material that your reading, read and re-read it again. Ask a friend or a teacher to clarify the information. To avoid citation mistakes invest in a new reference book with examples of MLA and APA style. Also use free citing resources, such as your library or online at EasyBib.com. Also, make sure you take clear notes, don't rush. Be sure to mark which ideas or thought are your own and which are from other sources.

From http://sociology.camden.rutgers.edu/

Remember that plagiarism, cutting & pasting someone else's work, is the same as stealing.

What does the Bible say about stealing?

“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another." - Leviticus 19:11

Bible quote from: http://www.openbible.info/topics/stealing

Welcome to my blog!

(From Shorter University website)

Hello and welcome to my e-Potfolio blog, part of a comprehensive assignment for CIS1200 Fall 2012.

I can't believe that week one of class is already done and we're on to week two! I just want to write that I am so thrilled to be back in college, at last, as a Shorter University student. I'm really thankful for the online program, because I feel that it really fits my life better than traditional brick-and-mortar classes.

So, with that said, CIS1200 is one of my first classes as a Shorter online student. Last week I became more familiar with the online learning portal Moodle. I found the "Watch This First" video to be very helpful. Since first exploring the portal I've successfully used the Quickmail, Forum, and Grade features.

I'm looking forward to learning more on how to become a better online student!