Note: To hear this entry narrated, please click here.
In ENG 112, modules 1-5 contain quizzes designed to test your knowledge of the information you learned in the module. Test-taking can be daunting for anyone, and this may also catch ENG 112 students off-guard, because there weren't tests in ENG 111. With proper preparation, though, the quizzes are easily managed.
The quizzes generally consist of ten multiple-choice questions, with one quiz in essay form. (Well, "essay" may be overstating it a bit. A good answer consists of about four or five sentences, at the most.) You will have one hour to complete the multiple-question quizzes; the short-answer quiz is not timed.
Before taking the quiz, review the week's material. This includes the textbook lesson, the online lessons, and any outside webpages. Knowing this information is necessary to help you in the quiz, and in the overall course. One thing that is helpful is that the online lesson tells you specifically what information you’ll need to do well in the quiz, whether it’s information from your textbook, the online lesson, an outside website, or a combination of the three. Make notes of any key phrases or instructions. It will help you later on if you have a shortlist of notes to consult.
You only have one chance at each quiz; once you begin, you can't pause or save the quiz. So make sure you have your notes at hand, and that you have one hour available to complete the quiz.
For taking the test, begin by answering the questions you know. Once you've done this, start on any you don't know. Consult your notes, take some time to think over the material, and find the answer you need. Use the remaining time to go back and check all of your answers. One word of advice: when scrolling up and down, make sure that you have not clicked on one of your answers. I accidentally clicked on one of my answers, and then I scrolled down. As a result, I changed my answer without realizing it! Don't make the same mistake!
On all of the quizzes except for the short-answer quiz, you will receive your results as soon as you finish the quiz and submit your answers. The following page will show both your answers and the correct answers.
After module 5, there are no tests until week 11, when you’ll take the final exam. As of the time I am writing this entry, I have not taken the final exam, so I can’t tell you what it’s like. I am sure that it reviews all modules, though. So for modules 6-10, in addition to writing your research paper, keep efficient notes about the material you’re learning. When the time comes for you to take the final exam, spend an hour or so beforehand reviewing your notes for all the modules. Then, when you feel that you have a solid memory and understanding of the material, tell yourself that you can do it, and conquer your last test for ENG 112!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Establishing Criteria for Internet Resources
Ah, the wonders of the Internet. Once popularly known as the Information Superhighway, the Internet houses websites, organizations, and plenty of would-be experts for every topic imaginable (and some unimaginable). However entertaining these resources might be, though, not all of them are reliable. Some are based on hearsay and some are based on opinion, but few are centered on actual fact.
So how can you tell which prospective resources are worthy of your attention? By establishing a set of solid criteria--or standards--on which to judge each contender. Think of it as "Website Boot Camp." By putting each website through its paces, only the strong will survive. In order for this to happen, you need a list of criteria that is just as strong as you want the prevailing websites to be.
For this, you are going to compile a list of 15 things to scrutinize in each website. This seems like a lot, I know. So let's take it one at a time. The easiest way to go about it is by beginning with five aspects of a good website, and elaborating on each one.
We'll start with something basic: aesthetics. When you visit a website, what does it need to present initially in order for you to continue browsing that website? Take a moment to think of one or two answers.
Now, let's say you decide that it needs to be "easy to navigate." What specific features make a website easy to navigate? Again, stop and think of one or two specific things that would fulfill this criteria. Also think of one or two things that make a website hard to use or navigate, and write this down as well. This may include things such as font size, colors that make a website difficult to view, or any number of features that you find undesirable. If you're unsure, you can ask someone who is not as familiar with the Internet. Find out what qualities make information easy for them to find, and what frustrates or discourages them to the point that they leave altogether.
Once you've developed a few specific criteria for aesthetics, you'll move on to another aspect of your ideal website. Let's say you'd like a website that cites their sources (always a good idea). Here are some questions to consider:
What kinds of sources do you consider reliable? What might you consider unreliable?
Do you want research studies, interviews, or point-of-view articles and essays?
Does the topic you are studying have a reputable organization that provides information?
Who are some of the revolutionaries in that field? Do they have a website? Is information about their studies or accomplishments accessible via Internet?
Answer these questions to the best of your ability; this may help you to narrow down the list of qualities you will look for.
Let's proceed to yet another aspect. One good one to consider is when your ideal website was last updated. Depending on your topic, there may not be a constant influx of new information. Set reasonable standards, while keep your criteria tight enough that not just anyone can meet your standards. Generally, a span of two or three months should be enough for any website, but use your own judgement. For a more popular topic that is reported on or studied frequently, newer information should be accessible sooner. In instances like this, you would want a website updated more frequently.
Continue the process of starting with one condition, and asking yourself two or three questions that will help elaborate on the specifics of what you're looking for.
During each step of establishing criteria, it's helpful to also think of "red flags": things that will automatically tip you off that a certain website is not appropriate for research. One example of this is if the website is run by an agency that charges for their services. This kind of website has an agenda; it is not simply informational. Such websites can sometimes be useful for guiding you in the right direction (like teaching you the "lingo" of a topic, which you can use in a web or database search), but you shouldn't base your paper on the content of these websites. Keep searching until you find a solid website about the same topic, but that meets the criteria in the lesson and the criteria that you set.
So how can you tell which prospective resources are worthy of your attention? By establishing a set of solid criteria--or standards--on which to judge each contender. Think of it as "Website Boot Camp." By putting each website through its paces, only the strong will survive. In order for this to happen, you need a list of criteria that is just as strong as you want the prevailing websites to be.
For this, you are going to compile a list of 15 things to scrutinize in each website. This seems like a lot, I know. So let's take it one at a time. The easiest way to go about it is by beginning with five aspects of a good website, and elaborating on each one.
We'll start with something basic: aesthetics. When you visit a website, what does it need to present initially in order for you to continue browsing that website? Take a moment to think of one or two answers.
Now, let's say you decide that it needs to be "easy to navigate." What specific features make a website easy to navigate? Again, stop and think of one or two specific things that would fulfill this criteria. Also think of one or two things that make a website hard to use or navigate, and write this down as well. This may include things such as font size, colors that make a website difficult to view, or any number of features that you find undesirable. If you're unsure, you can ask someone who is not as familiar with the Internet. Find out what qualities make information easy for them to find, and what frustrates or discourages them to the point that they leave altogether.
Once you've developed a few specific criteria for aesthetics, you'll move on to another aspect of your ideal website. Let's say you'd like a website that cites their sources (always a good idea). Here are some questions to consider:
What kinds of sources do you consider reliable? What might you consider unreliable?
Do you want research studies, interviews, or point-of-view articles and essays?
Does the topic you are studying have a reputable organization that provides information?
Who are some of the revolutionaries in that field? Do they have a website? Is information about their studies or accomplishments accessible via Internet?
Answer these questions to the best of your ability; this may help you to narrow down the list of qualities you will look for.
Let's proceed to yet another aspect. One good one to consider is when your ideal website was last updated. Depending on your topic, there may not be a constant influx of new information. Set reasonable standards, while keep your criteria tight enough that not just anyone can meet your standards. Generally, a span of two or three months should be enough for any website, but use your own judgement. For a more popular topic that is reported on or studied frequently, newer information should be accessible sooner. In instances like this, you would want a website updated more frequently.
Continue the process of starting with one condition, and asking yourself two or three questions that will help elaborate on the specifics of what you're looking for.
During each step of establishing criteria, it's helpful to also think of "red flags": things that will automatically tip you off that a certain website is not appropriate for research. One example of this is if the website is run by an agency that charges for their services. This kind of website has an agenda; it is not simply informational. Such websites can sometimes be useful for guiding you in the right direction (like teaching you the "lingo" of a topic, which you can use in a web or database search), but you shouldn't base your paper on the content of these websites. Keep searching until you find a solid website about the same topic, but that meets the criteria in the lesson and the criteria that you set.
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