Technology!!!

What a class! I have taken a few online classes before but those were nothing compared to this. This made us use several different types of technology including posting videos, doing online research, making and posting to a blog and so much more. Online learning isn't for everyone. You definitely have to be self motivated for there isn't a teacher or other peers there to help you along. Its just you. I believe that you have to have some sort of computer experience and familiarity with computers. 

Taking an English class online was actually quite helpful to me. It gave the chance to do things at my own pace and it also made me use the resources that I never knew were available to me through the school such as the online tutor. It was nice to have several of the readings available for us right there on Blackboard, instead of having to buy the books, I wont complain about saving money! =) 

As stated above I was so unaware of how many tools and resources there were for us as students to use. Never even knew of the online tutor, its an amazing thing! I have used the Learning Center before and will continue to use that in the furture.

I loved all the things that we learned this semester, except maybe that last essay, it was quite difficult. I do love a challenge but it nearly killed me to be quite honest. The tools and technology we were given made it easier though and for that Im thankful. Blogging was something I had heard of but I think its a great thing and something that has peaked my interest. Of course if I continue to use it, it more thank likely wont be about English but you never know. 

I am pretty familiar with technology but this class helped me to get comfortable with it. Thanks Laura for breaking me out of my shell and bringing me into the modern world!!

 

Reflection on Revision

This essay was the hardest of the three that I had to write. I found myself struggling, even up to the  last day. I usually revise but never to extent that I did this time. In the previous 2 essays, I would write, have my friends proof read and make any changes that I found necessary. I never looked at my paper under a microscope so to say. This time I felt it very important because of the amount of points it was worth and because it is the final paper of the semester. I have a hard time writing when it isn't my normal way of thinking. I can summarize and give my opinion like there is no tomorrow but that isn't what this paper was about. This also wasn't a research paper. I visited the learning center and also submitted my first draft to the online tutor. I made so many changes that I felt like I wrote this paper more than once. I'm sure that my final paper is not nearly as perfect as it could be but life happens along with the other 3 classes I am taking and it was a challenge to say the least. I definitely used all the resources available to me and I'm sure I did the best that I could so hopefully it shows in my work! Revising is a great tool, at least it was to me. It gave me someone else s opinion in a positive way, making me look at things I would typically overlook. I will be sure to use these options more often when writing!
http://www.angelfire.com/wi/writingprocess/revising.html 

Tentative Thesis and Summary Paragraph for Winter's Bone

Ree Dolly, a young girl from the Ozarks, with a mentally ill mother, two young siblings and a missing meth addicted father learns that unless her dad shows up to court, the family will lose their land and home. Ree dad has put the properties up as part of his bail before he went missing several weeks and months earlier, without telling the family. The new found knowledge starts Ree quest to find her father, leading her on the path to other intriguing information.

The story continues to peak the interest of those reading by taking twists and turns one would never expect.

I would like to save part of my summary for my paper but I would like to state that my tentative thesis is how drugs in 'small town America' can affect all walks of life. We have been given many great pieces to read and articles to use and I think it would be a great tool. Any thoughts and feedback would be greatly appreciated, good or bad!

http://storyloverx.blogspot.com/2012/02/book-review-winters-bone-by-daniel.html