It's Not What You Say, But How You Say It

Do you recognize this?


"The diminutive Oompa Loompas were prey and had little hope of survival.  A mammalian quadruped would breakfast on no less than ten of them. I extended an invitation to the Oompa Loompas to reside with me away from the various dangerous indigenous species."

Hmmm, sounds vaguely familiar, but I'll bet you know it better as this:


“And the poor little Oompa Loompas were so small and helpless, they would get gobbled up right and left. A Wangdoodle would eat ten of them for breakfast and think nothing of it. And so, I said, "Come and live with me in peace and safety, away from all the Wangdoodles, and Hornswogglers, and Snozzwangers, and rotten, Vermicious Knids" (Dahl/Wilder/IMBD).

This is, of course, from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I refer to the Original with Gene Wilder.  I just love that movie!

Growing up, my Oma (granny in German) always told me "the tone makes the music." Or, it's not what you say, but how you say it.  I believed all this time that she was stressing both manners and speaking politely to people. Although this may likely be true as well, I realize now that Oma may have been much wiser than I realized.

Communication, whether it be written, oral or signed, defines us. (There's non-verbal or body language also, but more on that later) The words we use to craft a writing or speech is telling of our intellect, or lack thereof. CMC or Computer Mediated Communication brings it's own set of rules to this playing field. I know I find myself referencing the Urban Dictionary more than Webster's here lately. How about you?


If we abbreviate or acronym our words, split our infinitives or dangle our participles, are we really less intelligent? The short answer: not necessarily. This is just the way we choose to express ourselves. I mean, you wouldn't read this blog if I wrote in the style of  the first paragraph, all uppity and white paperish. That would be boring. No, instead I write pretty much like I would  speak if you were right here with me.

With these thoughts, and many more,  not to mention the demise of  the Informatics Program, I have come to the tentative decision of a Major in Communications with a Minor in Environmental Sciences. I say tentative as I have yet to meet with my Academic Advisor for my transfer to UNLV. There may be other options. (UPDATE on Major)

Speaking of  Transfer. When I first embarked upon my college career, I was very unsure of myself. I wasn't sure if I could hack college after 25 years of being out of school and I didn't know if I could make the grade, so to speak.

I started small, taking only two classes, you know, just to get my feet wet. One of these classes was The History of Rock and Roll. I can't tell you how simultaneously thrilling and disturbing  it is to study musicians you have in your album collection. (yes, I said ALBUM ha ha)

But anyway, the point is I started at what was then a Community College. There are great advantages for the Adult Learner here. The class sizes are typically smaller and most importantly less expensive; a major factor to be sure. Yet if you wish to continue past either an Associates Degree or Vocational program, you must transfer to a Four Year Institution.

I have outlined these steps for you in a downloadable PDF on the wiki. There is also a video for you by Howcast. There may be more information added as I learn more, so check back often.



More

Why Go Back to School Now?

Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory ~ Film analysis for Communication Studies

The Perpetual Andragogy Wiki ~ Steps for Transfer to a Four Year Institution




This Blog Has a Bad Case of TMI

Too Much Information! That's what this Blog keeps getting. But I get so excited about all I've learned that I want to share it all with you. Doing this makes for a complicated 'Link Farm' where I ask you to follow the Blue Link Information Highway. Enough Already!

After four weeks in PBWorks Summer Camp (another week for tweaking and one for vacation - Yay!) I am now proud to introduce the Perpetual Andragogy Wiki.

Now, the page above is just one page. On this wiki you will find all kinds of resources for the Adult Learner, Career Changer, and a bit of Web 2.0 info. Maybe you, or someone you know, wants to go back to school; go through College by the Letters. Or your Mom, Dad or older friend would like to get online and get with it; send them to Boomers and Beyond.

Know that a wiki is an on going project. As my Professor said "...but when is a wiki ever finished." The very best part about a wiki is that YOU can contribute. Don't know a thing about wikis? Well, this is the perfect one to start on. Come on over, explore the links, try out the "Writer's Start Page" (scroll down on the first page) and request to be a writer. I'll be so glad to see you!

There are several ways to get to the Perpetual Andragogy Wiki. Click on the image above, the link at the top right, or here.

Oh, and one more thing. There are ways to access HELP all over the wiki. Go to the Writer's Start Page and watch the screenr I made for you. Give me feedback on the quick little survey below to let me know if this tutorial was helpful.

See You There! :D

I Want the T-Shirt Dammit!

I'm sure you're familiar with that old saying, "Been there, done  that, got the T-Shirt" but that's not the one I wanted.

This is the one I wanted. (Actually, the one I wanted said "Yesterday I couldn't spell eguneer, today I are one" but I couldn't find it)

When I had finally made the decision to return to college, I, like most purpose driven Adult Learners, had a specific goal in mind. Mine was a Degree in Social Informatics. These words, “Social informatics researchers are specially interested in developing reliable knowledge about information technology and social change, based on systematic empirical research, to inform both public policy debates and professional practice” (Kling) were my inspiration.


Informatics is inherently multi-disciplinary; perfect for my Renaissance Soul leanings. You can't just get a degree in Informatics without having a particular area of study. Pick a subject, any subject, Informatics applies.


Some of the more popular Informatics programs are in the Healthcare Industry, Environmental Sciences, and of course, Computer and Information Sciences. Perfect, I thought, as a base for a Masters in Library Sciences. And did  I mention that it comes out as an Engineering Degree. (Hence the T-Shirt)


The pursuit of any Degree is the outcome; a job. But you don't want 'just a job' that only puts food on your table; you want a career that both challenges and fulfills. As you pull into your driveway or parking space at the end of the day, you want to think "My work made a difference today." 


Informatics was that Degree for me. With my affinities for any and all informations and an insatiable pursuit of knowledge, what better endeavor than The Keeper of the Scrolls. But I would be The Keeper with new and emerging technology. How cool is that!


Did you notice the "was" in that last paragraph? Don't worry, I'm not quitting college only to make a 7th attempt later. (Did I ever mention that this is my 6th try at college?) Sadly, in spite of the excellent real world skills and knowledge I would gain, in spite of the required, much desired internship, and in spite of guaranteed placement of every Graduate of the UNLV Informatics program - it was eliminated on June 3rd of this year.


Disappointed, bitter, sad? You Betcha! I was darn near inconsolable. Oh, I ranted and raved for a while. My tirade included the economy, the United States Educational System, how Americans compare to the World in Education and advancement, and more. I even lashed out at our President, who told me at the beginning of my college career "Without a workforce trained in math, science, and technology and the other skills of the 21st century, our companies will innovate less, our economy will grow less, and our nation will be less competitive. If we want to outcompete the world tomorrow, we must out-educate the world today" (Obama).


I believed in the President's statement then. I believe in it now. Ultimately the Board of Regents, the economy or the President is not responsible for my education and pursuit of happiness. I am!


"So, watcha gonna do about it?" you may ask. I tell you what I'm gonna do. I am going to research another Degree that lends itself to my interests. And I won't stop there. I will augment my Degree with self-study classes and certificates that will help me achieve my goals. I hear I can do that on this new-fangled-thingy called The Internet.


Everybody Likes a Do Over


Has your program been eliminated? Were you downsized at your job? Are you having a hard time keeping up with the kids and their technological superiority? I have some great Resources for you  in the Perpetual Andragogy Wiki; coming in a short two weeks. In the meantime, here are a couple of springboards for you.


Take a Web 2.0 Class

I took one last semester, and you know what? When you take this class, except for the basics, it will be totally different. Technology's double edged sword: Emergence and Obsolescence. Check out BNET for a great video on Web 2.0 Business Integration.




From My Bookshelf *Note* This is on my To Read Bookshelf. It has great reviews plus don't you just love the title?
                                                             




Hop on The Green Bandwagon.


United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Measuring Green Jobs
Green Careers Guide


Get an Informatics Degree with your cognate. Here is a list of Colleges with Informatics Programs. I hope there is one near you.


Rob Kling Center for Social Informatics ~ Indiana University Bloomington
"Social Informatics overlaps other areas including computer-mediated communication (CMC), information systems, information science, “Internet Research,” and even parts of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)."  (more)

Employment and total job openings by postsecondary education or training category, 2008-2018. Table 9

Summertime and the Living is Easy

That's what I thought, anyway, when I decided to take the Summer Semester off. But three months is a long time to "Do Nothing."

I realized that it had been a full semester since I had a math class. A higher math is required and that means Pre-Calculus. I had struggled towards the end of my combined Elementary/Intermediate Algebra, so I'm doing a couple of things. First I got out my big ol' math book and just started going through the odd numbered problems (the answers are in the back) in the Intermediate Algebra section.  I also decided to give the For Dummies series a whirl.      

Pre-Calculus For Dummies Pre-Calculus Workbook For Dummies I also got Logic For Dummies because Symbolic Logic sounds daunting!

Overall I like the For Dummies series. They are written towards a specific audience - Us! We get these books because we want to learn more or learn better. My favorite line in the Introduction under Foolish Assumptions of the Pre-Cal is "We can't assume that just because we absolutely love math that you share the same enthusiasm for the subject." A word of warning: There are errors in the Pre-Calculus Workbook for Dummies. Go here to download the Errata. While you are there, you might want to look around to see if there are any corrections for other For Dummies books you may have.

I didn't stop with just the above books either. Remember the Wiki Post? I told you then I would learn more about Wikis and share with you what I've learned in future installments. I just finished the first week's assignment with my Summer Camp for PBWiki. In another three to four weeks I hope to have a Perpetual Andragogy Wiki up and running. There you will find more in-depth information for Adult Learners, Career Changers, and College as a Non-Traditional Student. AND you can contribute also. Want some info now? Go to the PBWorks Support Center. There's a great intro video also.

Now I'm not all work and no play. I'm a big proponent for giving the brain downtime. I give myself permission to "Do Nothing." Dan Bingham's article, Mad Men's Guide to Managing Creative People, gives great perspective on the Do Nothing/Brain Downtime position I advocate. 

I also believe in Field Trips; you know something Outside! I'm hoping to make it to the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park, WA. We have a  RAIN FOREST ! In the U.S ! I gotta go. 

Photo brockzilla

Learning: It's More Than the Courses You Take

Remember this?

And this: "So, does all this added information benefit me? I'll let you know after my first "A."" (FYI the "Y" denotes a retake.)

Was this class easier this time around? Well, sort of. I did a few things that I would recommend to anyone that is in a similar situation. First, don't just drop the class. Your school may or may not have this option, but I was able to "Audit" Astronomy the first time around.

It was after the official withdrawal date, and I did not want an "F" on my transcript; it seemed far too ominous and would seriously harm my GPA. I audited the class and continued to attend the class to learn and absorb as much as possible.

What I did next was and is very important to ANY college career. I researched my Professors. Having the right one can make all the difference. If the Professor does not explain the information to you in a way that you can make sense of, find another.

There are a few ways you can go about this. Rate My Professors is a good start, but don't stop there. Remember to take what is said about each Professor with a grain of salt. You should be able to get a good feel though.

You've found a Professor or two that you think you might like? Good, now go to his or her home page in the College Directory. This may take a little bit of digging and not every Professor will have a home page. You can search the college website by the his or her name, area or school of study, or department. Some will even come up in a Google search of their name.

Want to know more? Send an email. Keep in mind, Professors have hundreds of students, and believe it or not lives too. Ask pointed questions such as "I'm an audio-visual learner. Do you use media to help explain your concepts." Instead of "Hey Prof, what's your teaching style?" Don't be disappointed if you do not receive a reply right away, or at all, but do continue your research. Which brings me to my next suggestion.

Ask around! There are other students that you have come to know, like and whose opinions you trust. Most will be glad to tell you their experiences. Some good questions to ask: "How much time did you devote to this class?" "How many papers and tests?" And "Did you enjoy and/or "get" the information presented?"

The Professor is just one component. You, of course, are the most important one. How do you approach a class or subject? With fear and loathing or with eagerness and curiosity? Your attitude  makes a difference. Very important: Don't get discouraged! If you are having a problem with a particular course, make the time to speak with the Professor.

Included in your tuition you have a certain amount of office hours with each of your Professors and free or discounted tutoring. Take advantage of these valuable resources. A little bit of extra effort on your part can mean the difference between a so-so B or a fabulous A.

Lastly, know your limitations. Do you honestly think you can take six courses, in which you have to devote 2 to 3 hours of study per each course credit hour, hold down a full or part time job, contribute to your community or civic responsibilities, attend to familial obligations, run here and do that? Your brain needs downtime to process what you are inputing. Don't overextend.

Will your Degree be worth it? According to  JF Stewar at CNC.edu "On average, from age 19 to age 65, college graduates earn $16,426 PER YEAR more than high school graduates..." And according to the Wall Street Journal "College graduates in general earn at least 60% more than high-school grads on average, both annually and over their lifetimes..."

Hmm, make more money AND do something I love and was born to do? Sounds like a win/win to me. 

Google Docs Spreadsheets

What a fun class this has been! With this assignment: Google Docs Spreadsheet, I finish CIT 198B, Web 2.0 This Dynamic Web. I have learned much, had fun collaborating with my classmates, and made some new friends and valuable contacts along the way. The end of this class does not mean the end of this Blog. After all, it does say "Perpetual." : D

I will be post my ongoing adventures about once or month or so. My next post will most likely be a semester summary so that you can know a bit of what I know; which classes and Professors to choose, and transfer preparations amongst other things.

For this assignment I have set up the fictitious company of ABC Marketing. I have 6 positions available, and a TBD (To Be Determined) position also. Do you see a niche at ABC Marketing that you can fill? If the answer is "yes" please do so.

Visit the spreadsheet, choose your position, and fill in what you think you might be worth for a week of Holiday Pay at the end of July. Please try not to exceed my budget and remember that you must have your job description wiki finished before you can collect your Holiday pay. [Of course you don't have to furnish a job description - just substitute your name for contributor at the top and enter a $ amount next to the color that corresponds with your position.]
 

Deadlines and Drop Boxes - The Drop Box Side

Well Hello There!

I've missed you! With assignments pending and Finals looming, I've been pretty busy. A few posts ago I told you about Video Podcasting. Since then, I've found a nifty podcasting program that goes with my Cannon camera.  More on that later.


Screencasting is a kind of video podcasting as well.  For my next assignment in my Web 2.0 class, Professor Fightmaster introduced us to Jing. What a neat little tool this is!  I've created a screencast for you below on Online Campus Courses. Here I'll show you around the online campus. Below my screencast is a link, produced by the fine staff of CSN, that shows how to actually use the dropbox, 


There are limitations on what Jing will let me do; one of them is switching from 'microphone in' to another input channel. Please see below for links to any programs you may need to do your own screencasting and captures. So, without further ado: I present my first screencast. (For a Larger view go HERE)

For a Larger view go HERE

Here is the Tutorial on how to do a Drop Box, courtesy of the fine Staff of CSN

Useful Links



Jing



Soundflower 



Audacity