1/22/06
POSC 100
Yesterday marked our first on-campus meeting which was Orientation. The online course is similar to that of Blackboard. I believe it's powered by the same source. There is a ton of stuff on Professor Pritchett's course I really don't know where to start. I must say this, she is very well organized and has everything in order. Clearly she is very computer savvy and has a wealth of knowledge. I really don't have an opinion on Politics or Political Science so it will be interesting to see how this course will evolve over the next few weeks/months and more importantly, I am curious to know if any of my views will change or perhaps even form new views. It's really late (4:08 AM) and I should really be in bed now, so off I go. I've got 2 more chapters to complete in Math then I will spend some time working on POSC. Bye for now.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Math 010
Well...there's no way around it! You read correctly...Math 010. At first I thought perhaps I am torturing myself by taking a lower-level math course, but after last night's class, I don't feel nearly as self-conscious. Professor Phillips explained that for some people, like myself, who have been removed from Math for 3 years or more (and in my case...try 16 years!!!), it is not uncommon to feel "intimidated". She also said that most of the professors in the math division don't always see eye-to-eye with the counselors in that most counselors will push for students to enter at Math 015, pre-Algebra. Often times and certainly evident in her 4:00 class, she feels that about 1/3 of her students should be at the Math 010 level and will often do poorly because they do not have the basic fundamentals down. That's EXACTLY why I decided to start at the entry-level. I need this refresher course to sharpen my skills before entering into something even more intimidating: pre-Algebra and Algebra. Believe me, it wasn't pretty viewing my scores after the Math assessment test. Professor Phillips is a little "all-over-the-board" in her lectures, but quite frankly it's a matter of paying close attention and following along in the book. I agree with her 100% when she said ..."college is about following directions..." Very very true. I also enjoy the fact that she welcomes questions because believe me, if I am unclear about something, I will certainly ask away! Our first homework assignment is extensive - Chapter one which consists of sections 1.1 - 1.10, about 103 or so pages. YIKES!!!! The good news is that during the exercises, we are to select random ODD numbered problems or as many as we feel we need to do. She lectures on Mondays and there are tests on Wednesdays. Am I feeling the pressure???? Somewhat...but I believe I can time-manage to allow for the appropriate amount of hours per week to complete the homework, not just for this class, but for all my classes. The other good news is Professor Phillips will be absent on Monday, Jan 23rd so we have a "bye" for that class which will allow us a few more extra days to complete the first chapter. Good, because I want to gauge to see how much time I will need to dedicate to the homework assignments and this will be a great measuring tool.
Well...there's no way around it! You read correctly...Math 010. At first I thought perhaps I am torturing myself by taking a lower-level math course, but after last night's class, I don't feel nearly as self-conscious. Professor Phillips explained that for some people, like myself, who have been removed from Math for 3 years or more (and in my case...try 16 years!!!), it is not uncommon to feel "intimidated". She also said that most of the professors in the math division don't always see eye-to-eye with the counselors in that most counselors will push for students to enter at Math 015, pre-Algebra. Often times and certainly evident in her 4:00 class, she feels that about 1/3 of her students should be at the Math 010 level and will often do poorly because they do not have the basic fundamentals down. That's EXACTLY why I decided to start at the entry-level. I need this refresher course to sharpen my skills before entering into something even more intimidating: pre-Algebra and Algebra. Believe me, it wasn't pretty viewing my scores after the Math assessment test. Professor Phillips is a little "all-over-the-board" in her lectures, but quite frankly it's a matter of paying close attention and following along in the book. I agree with her 100% when she said ..."college is about following directions..." Very very true. I also enjoy the fact that she welcomes questions because believe me, if I am unclear about something, I will certainly ask away! Our first homework assignment is extensive - Chapter one which consists of sections 1.1 - 1.10, about 103 or so pages. YIKES!!!! The good news is that during the exercises, we are to select random ODD numbered problems or as many as we feel we need to do. She lectures on Mondays and there are tests on Wednesdays. Am I feeling the pressure???? Somewhat...but I believe I can time-manage to allow for the appropriate amount of hours per week to complete the homework, not just for this class, but for all my classes. The other good news is Professor Phillips will be absent on Monday, Jan 23rd so we have a "bye" for that class which will allow us a few more extra days to complete the first chapter. Good, because I want to gauge to see how much time I will need to dedicate to the homework assignments and this will be a great measuring tool.
Music Theory 103
Well aside from being probably the oldest in this class (besides the professor...come to think of it, I think I'm probably the oldest in all my classes...that sucks!), I think I will really enjoy it. I have always wanted to be proficient in sight-reading, music notations and music theory. Now I have my chance to further my knowledge. My instructor is Dr. Kate Reid. She is very well-versed, incredibly knowledgeable and talented. I also learned that she once sang with Crystal Barron's Definitely Dickens Christmas Carolers! Small world, huh? Who knew? So we have a connection there already. Awesome! I had planned on auditioning for Applied Music (private lessons) at her persuasion, but unfortunately I already carry 19 units and it would take an act of God to approve adding (just) one more unit. Apparently, 19 is the max a student can carry. I'm bummed. It would have been nice. She also suggested I join the vocal jazz ensemble but unfortunately that class meets mid-day and I'm already tweaking my schedule in order for me to be able to take her morning class. I will need to purchase the book bundle ASAP as the homework assignments are extensive and requires TIME to complete. The longer I put off purchasing the book, the worst-off I will be. Thankfully, my cousin Grace is helping me in that area. I should have my books by today or tomorrow (Friday) at the very latest! MY GOAL: MEMORIZE KEY SIGNATURES! Study study study! :-)
Well aside from being probably the oldest in this class (besides the professor...come to think of it, I think I'm probably the oldest in all my classes...that sucks!), I think I will really enjoy it. I have always wanted to be proficient in sight-reading, music notations and music theory. Now I have my chance to further my knowledge. My instructor is Dr. Kate Reid. She is very well-versed, incredibly knowledgeable and talented. I also learned that she once sang with Crystal Barron's Definitely Dickens Christmas Carolers! Small world, huh? Who knew? So we have a connection there already. Awesome! I had planned on auditioning for Applied Music (private lessons) at her persuasion, but unfortunately I already carry 19 units and it would take an act of God to approve adding (just) one more unit. Apparently, 19 is the max a student can carry. I'm bummed. It would have been nice. She also suggested I join the vocal jazz ensemble but unfortunately that class meets mid-day and I'm already tweaking my schedule in order for me to be able to take her morning class. I will need to purchase the book bundle ASAP as the homework assignments are extensive and requires TIME to complete. The longer I put off purchasing the book, the worst-off I will be. Thankfully, my cousin Grace is helping me in that area. I should have my books by today or tomorrow (Friday) at the very latest! MY GOAL: MEMORIZE KEY SIGNATURES! Study study study! :-)
Biology 101
1/19/06 Our first day of class was Tuesday. I felt Nicole and I walked into our very own sitcom. Upon entering the classroom, there were people already seated and the instructor was standing at the front of the class. We couldn't have planned any perfectly as we walked in to find 3 open seats smack dab in the middle of the room, front center. As if those seats were made for us! Odd, I know. First day of class is usually a little slower than normal in that we have to get orientated. Each professor has a different system so it's always good to know how they prefer to conduct lectures, accept homework assignments, etc. We later moved into the lab where we had our first hands-on assignment. It was basic knowledge of handling a microscope and we were given 2 slides to view. Our main homework assignment is to memorize the parts of microscope. Professor Mayo has a web site that he updates frequently. He allows students to download lectures and study guides as supplemental material. Some important rules to follow are: 1) No food or drinks in the lab; 2) TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES; 3) Wash your hands upon exiting the lab; and 4) You MUST sign out before leaving class. Wouldn't you know it...Nicole and I got caught up in our discussion with Professor Mayo about Thai food and other cultural interests, we completely forgot to sign-out! I emailed Professor Mayo the next day about our neglecting to sign-out and he said it was okay and to basically remember going forward. Whew! That's 1 point off for each time you forget to sign-out! We'll definitely adhere to that rule, that's for sure.
1/19/06 Our first day of class was Tuesday. I felt Nicole and I walked into our very own sitcom. Upon entering the classroom, there were people already seated and the instructor was standing at the front of the class. We couldn't have planned any perfectly as we walked in to find 3 open seats smack dab in the middle of the room, front center. As if those seats were made for us! Odd, I know. First day of class is usually a little slower than normal in that we have to get orientated. Each professor has a different system so it's always good to know how they prefer to conduct lectures, accept homework assignments, etc. We later moved into the lab where we had our first hands-on assignment. It was basic knowledge of handling a microscope and we were given 2 slides to view. Our main homework assignment is to memorize the parts of microscope. Professor Mayo has a web site that he updates frequently. He allows students to download lectures and study guides as supplemental material. Some important rules to follow are: 1) No food or drinks in the lab; 2) TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES; 3) Wash your hands upon exiting the lab; and 4) You MUST sign out before leaving class. Wouldn't you know it...Nicole and I got caught up in our discussion with Professor Mayo about Thai food and other cultural interests, we completely forgot to sign-out! I emailed Professor Mayo the next day about our neglecting to sign-out and he said it was okay and to basically remember going forward. Whew! That's 1 point off for each time you forget to sign-out! We'll definitely adhere to that rule, that's for sure.
English 106
1/19/06 Professor Klein is computer-savvy! A week prior to the start of school, she had mass-emailed the class to get started with the Online Tutorial, Pre-Course Survey, and other navigational instructions. Her syllabus is very straight-forward, self-explanatory and user-friendly. I am looking forward to this class and more importantly, because it is a 9-week course, it will go by quickly and before you know it...voila...it's over! I know it's going to be somewhat aggressive but I'm willing to take-it on! Wish me luck!
1/19/06 Professor Klein is computer-savvy! A week prior to the start of school, she had mass-emailed the class to get started with the Online Tutorial, Pre-Course Survey, and other navigational instructions. Her syllabus is very straight-forward, self-explanatory and user-friendly. I am looking forward to this class and more importantly, because it is a 9-week course, it will go by quickly and before you know it...voila...it's over! I know it's going to be somewhat aggressive but I'm willing to take-it on! Wish me luck!
January 19, 2006
This week marks the start of the Spring 2006 semester at Cypress College. This would be my 5th semester with about...3 more semesters to go. So by Fall 2007 I should be ready to transfer to CSUF. My goal is to stay on task and stay focus. What I plan to do with this site it to add different blogs specific to my classes. For instance, I have 5 classes totalling 19 units: Music Theory, Math 010, Biology 101, English 106 and Political Science 100. I will have a topic for each of these courses. I plan to enter as much as I could per class per week. If possible, I may be able to have an entry after each class, which in some cases, meet twice a week. My online classes are English and POSC and for those courses, I will have an entry on a per-week or ad-hoc basis. Nonetheless, I plan to keep journals for each of these courses to track my progress.
Until next time, HAPPY READING!
This week marks the start of the Spring 2006 semester at Cypress College. This would be my 5th semester with about...3 more semesters to go. So by Fall 2007 I should be ready to transfer to CSUF. My goal is to stay on task and stay focus. What I plan to do with this site it to add different blogs specific to my classes. For instance, I have 5 classes totalling 19 units: Music Theory, Math 010, Biology 101, English 106 and Political Science 100. I will have a topic for each of these courses. I plan to enter as much as I could per class per week. If possible, I may be able to have an entry after each class, which in some cases, meet twice a week. My online classes are English and POSC and for those courses, I will have an entry on a per-week or ad-hoc basis. Nonetheless, I plan to keep journals for each of these courses to track my progress.
Until next time, HAPPY READING!
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