Assignment #1: Summary

Amanda Gridley

English250

A.R. Mallory

January 31, 2014

A Summary of the Value in Web-based Learning and Communication in Optometry Education

My chosen career is Optometry, the health care profession of eye care. Like all chosen career paths, it is important to learn the material that is needed to do the desired job. How is this information learned? Communication. Communication plays a key role in almost every aspect of life,including secondary education. Students are taught the information they need to know in order for them to come successful. As the article “Optometry and WebCT: A Student Survey of the Value of Web-based Learning Environments in Optometric Education” by Peter Herse and Alvin Lee states, some forms of communication work better than others. This is true for Optometry students. A survey was given to the students of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of New South Wales, after the completion of their third year and just before their forth year of clinical learning, that produced interesting feedback in their desired form of communication.  These results, reflect the way that communication is done, at this day-and-age, in my chosen career field.

The survey was given to one-hundred and thirteen students, who had experience in a variety of communication methods over the course of their schooling. The communication methods included anything from textbooks, and lectures, to chatrooms and power-points posed online. The students were asked to rank the usefulness of the learning tools they had used over the course of their secondary education. These tools included, calendars, note-taking programs, and online chats. After compiling the data, the results concluded that the most desired and most successful communication methods, were those that involved direct communication with other students, and/or professors. Lab sessions and material add to WebCT (the online equivalent to Blackboard at ISU) that had an added chat program to discuss material directly with a professor or another student, were the top two preferred communication methods, while self written assignments, oral presentations and individual labs were the least favorable. 

These results prove that communication, especially direct communication, is very important in optometry. Direct communication is desired over indirect because there is less likely for a miscommunication during the “telephone” of passing down the information. The best way for students to learn is to be taught by others, and there-by communicating and being communicated with. Without the communication and collaboration with others, information is more slowly build upon, results are often unfinished, and less likely to be shared with people of whom it would benefit. 

In conclusion, communication is very important in almost all aspects of careers, but especially in my desired field of optometry. Students of the field benefit the most through direct communication, such as one-on-one’s with others and online chats. This is because direct communication is the least likely to have a miscommunication and  learning can be done quicker without the fear of error in a miscommunication. 

Works Cited:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1444-0938.2005.tb06663.x/full

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Dear employes of EyeGlass Co,

We have some very exciting news! We  have just signed a contract in sponsorship with the (insert name of club here). We are thrilled to be working with this club, and are giving all of you a chance to become more familiar with who they are and how we will be working with them. (Name of club) is a nationally competitive cart speed and endurance club that is in need of our assistance for creating safety glasses designs in which eye prescriptions can be added. In the upcoming future will be creating and supplying these glasses as well as sponsoring the team. In return, our company logo will be represented on the car at all national competitions, and the team will be sporting the glasses. This is a great way to get our company name out there, but we need your help with the designs of the glasses. All interested employes can submit up to three ideas directly to the leader of the group, Lacy Duguard, via email.  Please keep in mind with all the submissions bout to be sent out, to provide adequate specs, but to keep the descriptions as simple as possible. I recommend diagrams with labels as the main component, and short summaries. Designs of interest will be shown to the competitors, and any designs that come-to product will be awarded. We are very excited to be supporting the team, and I hope you all see the benefits our company as well as the team will gain from this partnership. Members of the club will be coming to see current styles in one week, so if you happen to see them in the halls, be sure to say hello! Keep checking your in-box for more news of the new partnership. Have a great day!

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Perception of A Writer in My Field of Study

How would I find out how writing works in my field of study?

I believe that the best way to find out information is by communicating with people who have knowledge on the subject. I believe this to be the best way, because they had to go through the same process that you are going though, and can explain the process to you and what they learned much faster and easier than if you were to go through it yourself. If I were tying to figure our how writing works in my field of study, I would go to the library and ask for assistance, or even straight to an optometrist (my planned career). The conversation and advise they can offer is very valuable, because not only are you getting the information, but you are also building relationships with people that you can use to your advantage in the future.

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Scholarly Links with MLA Format

Here are a few links to scholarly articles that are related to my field of study; optometry:
1. http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/15926878
2. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1444-0938.2005.tb06663.x/full
3. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-1313.2010.00798.x/abstract

Here they are in MLA format:
1. ?
2. Herse, P. and Lee, A. (2005), Optometry and WebCT: a student survey of the value of web-based learning environments in optometric education. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 88: 46–52. doi: 10.1111/j.1444-0938.2005.tb06663.x
3. Prajapati, B., Dunne, M., Bartlett, H. and Cubbidge, R. (2011), The influence of learning styles, enrolment status and gender on academic performance of optometry undergraduates. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 31: 69–78. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2010.00798.x

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Rosenburg Thought Piece

As a freshman college student, I found this latest reading to be very relatable. It starts off discussing the frustrations as a student of reading long texts in an effort to learn, and sometimes teach ourselves the material. Who DOESN'T agree that this is a constant struggle? While this piece was a little long for my tastes, (took much homework, not enough time), it did have some good tips. One tip being to make the reading more relative by thinking of it as a conversation. This is a new perspective, and something that might be worth trying. Another tip, is to making reading into a formula. Yeah I know, when I read this I, ALSO thought blehhhhh math, ha. But what I think the article was talking about, is to learn to pick out important information and add other notes too, in order to make the information more condensed. Just like math, a formula is easier to work with than the mass of math (or in this case text). Kind of a good idea right?  The title, introduction information, sections headings, important abstracts, and conclusion are all good things to use in a reading formula. The main concept to learn in any reading is the main argument, the reason for writing. Everything else comes second. It's about reading smarter not harder.

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Portrait of a Writer Assignment

A person’s writing technique is unique to who they are, how they were taught, and the life experiences they have been through. With such a wide range of variables to influence writing, we all develop different writing patterns making each of our works unique. My personal writing style is no different. I personally enjoy writing, whether it’s on a social network like Facebook or Twitter, or writing a research paper, I enjoy expressing my opinion in a way that others can relate to, and hopefully share my joy on the topic. I also like to add a little comedy to what i’m writing. Making people laugh encourages me to write more, and also, to write better.If not writing for a class, most of my writing in on Facebook, or Twitter. Some people argue that this isn't really writing, but I have to disagree. Like fashion, writing styles change, and it is my opinion that this generation’s writing includes social networks. In any case, whether you think it is or not, I spend a lot of time writing on those sites. I don’t write any kind of blogs or journals currently, and only write papers for assignments, but i’m not really opposed to them. Research papers are actually kind of fun, if I have an interest in the topic. My favorite research paper was in 6th grade, when we had to research an important person who helped change the world into the way it is today. I was assigned Anne Oakley, and really enjoyed learning about how she made it possible for women to participate in sports that were, at the time, only allowing men competitors. Presenting the information required an unfortunate costume, involving a cardboard gun. While walking into class, and being stopped by the principle wondering why I was caring such an object was scary at the time, it made some memories that made writing a fun experience. 

In this class (English250), the blogging is a new concept for me. I’m learning how to properly write, and what kind of audience, my writing is be presented too. My first post, was a reaction to a reading assignment. I wrote about my agreement to the concept of being your own writer. I don’t know that I necessarily learned anything, but rather reinforced my understanding that you are your own writer, based on your past experiences. It’s interesting to publicize my personal opinion on a blog. Interesting meaning, Im still not sure If I like the concept of being blunt enough to state my opinion, where people can read and judge what I think. I don’t know, I guess i’m just conservative like that...  

A person’s writing is developed over time from experiences they go through. I always enjoyed english, so I always payed attention and got the most I could out of the classes. I was also lucky enough to have some amazing english teachers all through high school. My AP English teacher was one of my favorites, and is one of the main reasons why my writing is the way it is. She helped me to find my flaws and work to correct them. To all the want-to-be-writers out there, finding someone who you can go to for writing advise is soooooooo important. You aren't going to always be able to find your mistakes on your own, so having others review your work is a huge part of becoming a better writer. 

A person’s writing technique is unique to who they are, how they were taught, and the life experiences they have been through. Basically for me, my social networks, past works, and past teachers have had the most impact on my writing.

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Calming the Inner Critic Thought Piece

Calming the inner Critic.pdf1.2 MB

Above is the first reading assignment of my English250 class. The piece is called "Calming the Inner Critic" and was written by Goodwin.  As a first assignment, I was pleased that the piece was quite short, and easy to understand. The main concept of the reading is simple; Don't let others opinions of your writing get in the way of your writing. I completely agree. You are who you are and writing can be one of the best ways to express yourself. You can't be yourself if you are following another's writing style. One of Goodwin's strongest points in her piece was that like our ancestors, how you write will stick around long past you are gone, so being yourself in your writing might just inspire future writers. Moral of the story? Be your own writer.

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First Post

Hey all! This is my first post on a blog, so bear with me as I figure this stuff out. Stay tuned!
-Amanda