The semester is almost over. It's time for students to evaluate their professors - the good, the bad, and the ugly. YET ...
I am always wonder whether the feedbacks really will deliver and reach to the professors and the college administration (or even the Academic Dean's desk).
Another good research project...
Thursday, November 17, 2011
"Spy" librarian
It is near the end of the Fall semester. The library is crowded with students working on their term papers fiercely. They are very busy in front of the computer, at the same time, they are complaining about their teachers.
Sitting at the Reference Desk in the library, I do not have to ask and know what teachers are on the hot lists among students and what teachers are getting bad evaluation at the end of the classes. Some of those even talked to me about their teachers, bad and good. I have an idea of the faculty members in many ways.
Hack! I accidentally became a "spy librarian."
Sitting at the Reference Desk in the library, I do not have to ask and know what teachers are on the hot lists among students and what teachers are getting bad evaluation at the end of the classes. Some of those even talked to me about their teachers, bad and good. I have an idea of the faculty members in many ways.
Hack! I accidentally became a "spy librarian."
APA style, please.
It is almost at the end of the semester. It is very common to see students approaching the Desk and ask for help to cite APA style. Of course, the last minute request for assistance.
What surprised me is that those are not the Com 1 or Com 2 students. What did they learn for these two classes?
Another astonished thing I found out is that their teachers not even teach APA style, simply ask thme to go to the library where handouts are provided (????)
We surely need a beeter communication and colloboration between the librarians and the professors next semester.
What surprised me is that those are not the Com 1 or Com 2 students. What did they learn for these two classes?
Another astonished thing I found out is that their teachers not even teach APA style, simply ask thme to go to the library where handouts are provided (????)
We surely need a beeter communication and colloboration between the librarians and the professors next semester.
If you have funding, no problem! You are admiited to the university
To accept full-fee Chinese students is happening at state public university. That's I do not understand. I have seen a student who has a 1.8 GPA and is accepted to pre-medicine major. And I learn NOT to question about the decision of the admissions office.
I would think that's is a common practice in for profit colleges.
Education for sale! - that's the only thing that U.S. offers for the world.
I would think that's is a common practice in for profit colleges.
Education for sale! - that's the only thing that U.S. offers for the world.
Chiina is rising
A decade ago, when we talked about the uprising of China, we probably refee to the Chinese products in the merchandise stores. Now the China economy is blooming, creating many "suddenly" middle class. Most of them would send their childrenn to the US colleges.
Working at a university in the Midwest, I can see the "evidence" for that. Our univesity only had 200 Chinese students in the year of 2006; this year we have over 900 Chinese students. In the "od days" most Chinese students came to US Graduate, now most of them are the full-fee undergraduate students.
I have no onbjections that the US college accept Chinese students, if their academic standard are acceptable level. I have seen so many Chinese high school students who has 1.7, or 2,0 GPA (on a 4 scale), still have no problem to be admitted because they show their bank statements and pay the tuition upfront. SOme admissions administrators even express that those students are the main income of the university.
How sad it is? What's wrong with our education system?
Working at a university in the Midwest, I can see the "evidence" for that. Our univesity only had 200 Chinese students in the year of 2006; this year we have over 900 Chinese students. In the "od days" most Chinese students came to US Graduate, now most of them are the full-fee undergraduate students.
I have no onbjections that the US college accept Chinese students, if their academic standard are acceptable level. I have seen so many Chinese high school students who has 1.7, or 2,0 GPA (on a 4 scale), still have no problem to be admitted because they show their bank statements and pay the tuition upfront. SOme admissions administrators even express that those students are the main income of the university.
How sad it is? What's wrong with our education system?
The world is changing
I heard from the radio on my way to work this morning. The news commenators discussed the child poverty in the U.S. It is said that 38% of children were born outside the marrages, compare to 5% in the 1960s.
Followed by the news of the unemployment situation in the U.S. So many professionals forced to leave their career and take on the minimum wages to put food on the table. One of the interviewee expressed that she is 45 years old. It seems that there is no chance for her to go back to her professionals.
A college graduate couldn't find a job and put himself on the billboard in San Francisco area - 6 months passed, there is still no signs that he will land an accountant job - his four years degree in accounting.
We have heard so many similar stories. What's next?... The world is changing.
Followed by the news of the unemployment situation in the U.S. So many professionals forced to leave their career and take on the minimum wages to put food on the table. One of the interviewee expressed that she is 45 years old. It seems that there is no chance for her to go back to her professionals.
A college graduate couldn't find a job and put himself on the billboard in San Francisco area - 6 months passed, there is still no signs that he will land an accountant job - his four years degree in accounting.
We have heard so many similar stories. What's next?... The world is changing.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
What is digital literacy?
Researchers have defined and interpreted "digital literacy" in various ways, contributing to inconsistencies in the use of the term. Yet researchers have a general agreement that "digital literacy" is associated with four particular skills:
• Core information competencies for life-long learning;
• An ability to recognize and assess a wide range of information conveyed in the non-textual features;
• Knowledge management; and
• The ability to find, to evaluate, and to make effective use of digital information.
Obviously, there have been many discussions of digital literacy in the literature, however; not too many practical implementations have been addressed, probably, because of the varied interpretations of digital literacy. This position paper is intended to explore the fundamental concept of digital literacy and hopefully lead to a better understanding of what it means in the academic library setting and adopt the ideas to design a digital literacy skills program for non-traditional students.
• Core information competencies for life-long learning;
• An ability to recognize and assess a wide range of information conveyed in the non-textual features;
• Knowledge management; and
• The ability to find, to evaluate, and to make effective use of digital information.
Obviously, there have been many discussions of digital literacy in the literature, however; not too many practical implementations have been addressed, probably, because of the varied interpretations of digital literacy. This position paper is intended to explore the fundamental concept of digital literacy and hopefully lead to a better understanding of what it means in the academic library setting and adopt the ideas to design a digital literacy skills program for non-traditional students.
Difficult professors at Graduate School
I think we all have those professor when we were in Graduate School. But this one ... I am not kidding.
NON RESPONSIVE - It was one of my research methodology class. This Porfessor like to favor - well that's not the problem. The problem was that he seldom response your questions in a timely manner - I mean over a week or so you probably are still waiting for his answers.
There were only a handful of us taking his class - it is a requirement course for the first year doctoral studies. He told us not sned him email messages because that would be too much for him to handle????? And when we submit our assignemnts, NO ATTACHMENTS!
COMMUNICATION PROBLEM - The worst thing he did is that he gave us a new assignment - a conference poster for the research design course. The poster had to sumbit within two weeks! I do not believe that is a reasonable time. Plus that assignment was not on the syllabus and never discussed during the class sessions.
We were glad when his class was over at the end of semester. - You only can imagine how glad we were!
Unfortunately we all have those types of professor in Graduate School. If you have one like this one, hanging there. It's only one semester with that professor.
NON RESPONSIVE - It was one of my research methodology class. This Porfessor like to favor - well that's not the problem. The problem was that he seldom response your questions in a timely manner - I mean over a week or so you probably are still waiting for his answers.
There were only a handful of us taking his class - it is a requirement course for the first year doctoral studies. He told us not sned him email messages because that would be too much for him to handle????? And when we submit our assignemnts, NO ATTACHMENTS!
COMMUNICATION PROBLEM - The worst thing he did is that he gave us a new assignment - a conference poster for the research design course. The poster had to sumbit within two weeks! I do not believe that is a reasonable time. Plus that assignment was not on the syllabus and never discussed during the class sessions.
We were glad when his class was over at the end of semester. - You only can imagine how glad we were!
Unfortunately we all have those types of professor in Graduate School. If you have one like this one, hanging there. It's only one semester with that professor.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Csikszentmihalyi's Flow and Motivation
In his book, Mihaly used: (1) the Chinese philosopher, Chuang Tzu’s way of tao; and (2) a seventy-five year old inhabitant, Serafina Vinon from the tiny hamlet of Pont Trentaz to describe FLOW and its motivation of autotelic workers –positive work attitudes that are derived from intrinsic motivation.
He found that when people say they love what they are doing (job, work); they often engaged in work “wholeheartedly” and find it intrinsically rewarding. Even if jobs or projects are not easy tasks, yet you love what they are doing, you are in the state of FLOW, easily accomplishing the task. That is what Csikszentmihalyi refers to “in a state of FLOW.”
According to Csikszentmihalyi, FLOW is the ultimate self-motivation. When people experience FLOW, they typically are completely engaged, fully focused, are able to exclude distractions from their consciousness and not worry about failure. They are so involved; they have a distorted sense of time.
What ideas can we learn from Csikszentmihalyi’s FLOW theory? He addressed that “work undertaken as a flow activity is the best way to fulfill human potentialities.” (p. 149).
Most people’s jobs are boring and routine; no challenge. In addition, to make the matter worse, they find themselves in constant conflict with supervisors or coworkers, particularly when the communication channels are “shut” and the contributions are not recognized. The daily jobs are pointless, except the paycheck.
In theory, we should choose a career or job that we adore; we would feel content with our life. However, in reality, most of us do not have the “dream job.” The only way you can make your workplace better and tolerable is to make your tasks undertaken as FLOW activities turn your boring routine job into true joy. Love your job create flow in your workplace.
He found that when people say they love what they are doing (job, work); they often engaged in work “wholeheartedly” and find it intrinsically rewarding. Even if jobs or projects are not easy tasks, yet you love what they are doing, you are in the state of FLOW, easily accomplishing the task. That is what Csikszentmihalyi refers to “in a state of FLOW.”
According to Csikszentmihalyi, FLOW is the ultimate self-motivation. When people experience FLOW, they typically are completely engaged, fully focused, are able to exclude distractions from their consciousness and not worry about failure. They are so involved; they have a distorted sense of time.
What ideas can we learn from Csikszentmihalyi’s FLOW theory? He addressed that “work undertaken as a flow activity is the best way to fulfill human potentialities.” (p. 149).
Most people’s jobs are boring and routine; no challenge. In addition, to make the matter worse, they find themselves in constant conflict with supervisors or coworkers, particularly when the communication channels are “shut” and the contributions are not recognized. The daily jobs are pointless, except the paycheck.
In theory, we should choose a career or job that we adore; we would feel content with our life. However, in reality, most of us do not have the “dream job.” The only way you can make your workplace better and tolerable is to make your tasks undertaken as FLOW activities turn your boring routine job into true joy. Love your job create flow in your workplace.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Gaming and Literacy Instructional Class
I have been reading the literature on gaming at the academic libraries. I am amazed how many academic librarians have been offering online literacy instructin through gaming! Honestly, I have not exposed to that subject when I was in library school years ago. If you are interested in this subject, you need to check out this book at yuor library!
Amy Harris and Scott E. Rice (eds.) (2007). Gaming in Academic Libraries: Collections, Marketing, and Information Literacy. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
Amy Harris and Scott E. Rice (eds.) (2007). Gaming in Academic Libraries: Collections, Marketing, and Information Literacy. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
Gaming Activities and Motivation
Games and Motivation -
There are two particular articles that I enjoyed this week.
Gee’s (2004) article:
The author described that gaming is a way of learning, especially the “good games,” which he referred to as challenging and complex, which keeps the player motivated spending hours upon hours on the game. In my opinion, this could be considered a form of “addiction.” Dr. Ruth mentioned that a 12-year old can play video games for hours and yet, cannot sit still in a classroom more than 20 minutes. Why? If you ask the 12 year old, he or she simply replies that the games are fun. Fun? It is most likely that the desire to win is the motivator for these young (and old) game players.
Gee expressed that good games have ways of getting players to enjoy their experience while learning. This reminds me of the popular game Monopoly. It is fun in many ways; yet it actually offers players the chance to learn how to manage their “money” and “invest”; requiring that players have knowledge of monetary and business management skills.
In addition to providing learning opportunities for players, in my view, computer gaming has other positive aspects, such as:
• Stimulating the brain: For instance, Chinese chess and Mahjong are designed to stimulate the player’s thinking. In Asian communities, in many ways the noise of playing Mahjong is a ritual. So many Chinese people spend their time on a small square table, chatting and playing. Some Chinese doctors claim that Mahjong helps people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease by decreasing the speed of deterioration because the game requires the players to have systematic thinking and memorization.
• Relaxing and coping with stress from work or school or even escaping from hectic or boring life for a few hours. Like comic books and graphic novels, gaming activities provide enjoyment (and distraction) and at the same time provide problem-solving skills – how to win the game.
Nicholson et al’s (2007) article:
Gaming activities in a public place can be very unwelcoming or even disturbing, especially at the library. In Nicholson et al’s (2007) pilot study, they found that “libraries are creating controversy by supporting gaming through in-house gaming activities.”
I work at a small private college library in the evenings. Last night there was a fourth grader at the library where I work. She yelled loud (celebratory) and disturbed other library users in the computer area. I realized that she was playing a Web-based game called Motorcycle Racing. Obviously, she was engrossed and stimulated by the animated racing. Unfortunately, next to her were two graduate students who were working on their term papers; disturbed trying to accomplish bona fide research. I had no choice but to ask her to leave the library.
A few years ago, the Johnson County Library system announced that Xbox 360 games would be placed in the meeting rooms at various branches. It instantly created controversy in the community, both with the public and library staff. The controversy was that this common space (the meeting room)was taken away for gaming activities. Considering the limited space of the branch libraries, it certainly was not a popular decision; yet the County Librarian had no intention to revoke the decision. Many negative opinions flew around the community. The new gaming center certainly attracted many "after school kids". Since there is only limit space for the gamers, some kids would occupy the computers to play web-based games while waiting for their turn to play the Xbox. As a result, adult patrons found that they had no computers to use because the waiting kids occupied most computers. Users had to wait at three to four hours to get on a computer, which turned many people away.
As time has passed, it seems that the introduction and implementation of gaming in the public library system has spread to every community. More and more communities have accepted gaming as part of the public library services. According to Nicholson et al’s research, 76% of public libraries promote gaming activities, supporting an acceptance of the introduction of gaming at the public library.
My own gaming experience:
I found an interesting game installed on my home PC. It is a very simple game. It only requires that players match up same patterns of tiles within a certain time. The faster you finish matching the tiles, the higher score you will receive. I found that I could not stop playing once I started (addicted...). This particular game is a brain training game, which requires the player’s attention, focus, memory, and speed.
In this class, we have discussed different motivation models in the past weeks. I can relate some of the theory or model to my own gaming experience, especially the Maslow’s theory of motivation (1943), which is based on human needs such as self-actualization, esteem needs, social needs, safety needs, and physiological needs.
This PC game provides-
Self-esteem: The game provides me a feeling of achievement and self-esteem when I accomplish higher scores.
Safety: I have a moment for myself (distraction), forgetting the troubles in my daily life. I can “hide” behind the keyboard. I feel safe.
Social needs: I can share my gaming activities with my friends who also play the game. I gain “respect” from my friends if I get a higher score than them because I am the "super gamer"!
Self-actualization: I discover “potential” through playing the game – I have a photographic memory.
Gaming activities have become part of library services in the past five years both at public and academic libraries. Nicholson et al’s study pointed out that at least 7 out of 10 public libraries support gaming. In fact, academic librarians have started implementing and developing gaming activities in information literacy class. Honestly, that is something that I had not imagined when I was at library school.
Some interesting related articles:
Clarke, G. et al (2010), Gaming for reading. Australasian Public Libraries and Information Services, 23(4), 161-165.
Harris, Amy & Rice, Scott E. (eds.) (2008).Gaming in Academic Libraries: Collections, Marketing, and Information Literacy. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
Petkov, Marin& Rogers, George E. (2011). Using gaming to motivate today’s technology-dependent students. Journal of sTEm Teacher Education, 48(1), 7-12.
Yang, Shu-Ching & Huang, Kai-Lin (2011).Analyses of junior high school students’ online gaming experience and its relationship with self-concept, life adaptation and well-being.Journal of Educational Media & Library Sciences, 48(3), 432-442.
There are two particular articles that I enjoyed this week.
Gee’s (2004) article:
The author described that gaming is a way of learning, especially the “good games,” which he referred to as challenging and complex, which keeps the player motivated spending hours upon hours on the game. In my opinion, this could be considered a form of “addiction.” Dr. Ruth mentioned that a 12-year old can play video games for hours and yet, cannot sit still in a classroom more than 20 minutes. Why? If you ask the 12 year old, he or she simply replies that the games are fun. Fun? It is most likely that the desire to win is the motivator for these young (and old) game players.
Gee expressed that good games have ways of getting players to enjoy their experience while learning. This reminds me of the popular game Monopoly. It is fun in many ways; yet it actually offers players the chance to learn how to manage their “money” and “invest”; requiring that players have knowledge of monetary and business management skills.
In addition to providing learning opportunities for players, in my view, computer gaming has other positive aspects, such as:
• Stimulating the brain: For instance, Chinese chess and Mahjong are designed to stimulate the player’s thinking. In Asian communities, in many ways the noise of playing Mahjong is a ritual. So many Chinese people spend their time on a small square table, chatting and playing. Some Chinese doctors claim that Mahjong helps people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease by decreasing the speed of deterioration because the game requires the players to have systematic thinking and memorization.
• Relaxing and coping with stress from work or school or even escaping from hectic or boring life for a few hours. Like comic books and graphic novels, gaming activities provide enjoyment (and distraction) and at the same time provide problem-solving skills – how to win the game.
Nicholson et al’s (2007) article:
Gaming activities in a public place can be very unwelcoming or even disturbing, especially at the library. In Nicholson et al’s (2007) pilot study, they found that “libraries are creating controversy by supporting gaming through in-house gaming activities.”
I work at a small private college library in the evenings. Last night there was a fourth grader at the library where I work. She yelled loud (celebratory) and disturbed other library users in the computer area. I realized that she was playing a Web-based game called Motorcycle Racing. Obviously, she was engrossed and stimulated by the animated racing. Unfortunately, next to her were two graduate students who were working on their term papers; disturbed trying to accomplish bona fide research. I had no choice but to ask her to leave the library.
A few years ago, the Johnson County Library system announced that Xbox 360 games would be placed in the meeting rooms at various branches. It instantly created controversy in the community, both with the public and library staff. The controversy was that this common space (the meeting room)was taken away for gaming activities. Considering the limited space of the branch libraries, it certainly was not a popular decision; yet the County Librarian had no intention to revoke the decision. Many negative opinions flew around the community. The new gaming center certainly attracted many "after school kids". Since there is only limit space for the gamers, some kids would occupy the computers to play web-based games while waiting for their turn to play the Xbox. As a result, adult patrons found that they had no computers to use because the waiting kids occupied most computers. Users had to wait at three to four hours to get on a computer, which turned many people away.
As time has passed, it seems that the introduction and implementation of gaming in the public library system has spread to every community. More and more communities have accepted gaming as part of the public library services. According to Nicholson et al’s research, 76% of public libraries promote gaming activities, supporting an acceptance of the introduction of gaming at the public library.
My own gaming experience:
I found an interesting game installed on my home PC. It is a very simple game. It only requires that players match up same patterns of tiles within a certain time. The faster you finish matching the tiles, the higher score you will receive. I found that I could not stop playing once I started (addicted...). This particular game is a brain training game, which requires the player’s attention, focus, memory, and speed.
In this class, we have discussed different motivation models in the past weeks. I can relate some of the theory or model to my own gaming experience, especially the Maslow’s theory of motivation (1943), which is based on human needs such as self-actualization, esteem needs, social needs, safety needs, and physiological needs.
This PC game provides-
Self-esteem: The game provides me a feeling of achievement and self-esteem when I accomplish higher scores.
Safety: I have a moment for myself (distraction), forgetting the troubles in my daily life. I can “hide” behind the keyboard. I feel safe.
Social needs: I can share my gaming activities with my friends who also play the game. I gain “respect” from my friends if I get a higher score than them because I am the "super gamer"!
Self-actualization: I discover “potential” through playing the game – I have a photographic memory.
Gaming activities have become part of library services in the past five years both at public and academic libraries. Nicholson et al’s study pointed out that at least 7 out of 10 public libraries support gaming. In fact, academic librarians have started implementing and developing gaming activities in information literacy class. Honestly, that is something that I had not imagined when I was at library school.
Some interesting related articles:
Clarke, G. et al (2010), Gaming for reading. Australasian Public Libraries and Information Services, 23(4), 161-165.
Harris, Amy & Rice, Scott E. (eds.) (2008).Gaming in Academic Libraries: Collections, Marketing, and Information Literacy. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
Petkov, Marin& Rogers, George E. (2011). Using gaming to motivate today’s technology-dependent students. Journal of sTEm Teacher Education, 48(1), 7-12.
Yang, Shu-Ching & Huang, Kai-Lin (2011).Analyses of junior high school students’ online gaming experience and its relationship with self-concept, life adaptation and well-being.Journal of Educational Media & Library Sciences, 48(3), 432-442.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Chinese students and the American colleges
Thee was an article posted on The Chronicle of Higher Education yesterday about the full-fee Chinese students who cheated on their academic records and language test. One of the readers even addressed that the American students "fleed" (withdrawn from the class because too many Chinese students in the classroom. It is a very interesting article.
http://chronicle.com/article/Chinese-Students-Prove-a/129628/
http://chronicle.com/article/Chinese-Students-Prove-a/129628/
A costly speech
This morning I heard from the NPR that the former Presdient Bush gave a speech at the Wichita Chamber of Commerce dinner last night. The Chamber paid Mr Bush $100k to $150 K for the speech. Well if you are "famous" and someone are willing to pay you that much for a couple hours of dinner speech, why not?
Does the speech reaaly worth that much? Oh , Mr President. I hope I can earn that much for two hours (plus free dinner). That surely is a very good wages in current economic environment. - that much of money can give at least family a very good year income.
The ppor, the rich, and the ugly.
Does the speech reaaly worth that much? Oh , Mr President. I hope I can earn that much for two hours (plus free dinner). That surely is a very good wages in current economic environment. - that much of money can give at least family a very good year income.
The ppor, the rich, and the ugly.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
New Terms Associated with "Digital Literacy"
"Digital immigrants" - please note that this term has nothing to do with immigration at all.
"Internet natives" - people who werre born in the digital age and grrew up with computer and Internet.
"Digital storytelling" - Use images, audio, and other multmedia to tell historical story. It is similar to "documentary film" in a way. It is a new narrative form for "telling."
"Digital readers" - do not read books or print materials. Use the digital formats for serious and leisure reading.
"Audiovisual citzenship" and "media citizenship" - such as social networks. People use technology as the means to communicate and interact with others including blogs, video games; definitely no pencil and paper.
"Internet natives" - people who werre born in the digital age and grrew up with computer and Internet.
"Digital storytelling" - Use images, audio, and other multmedia to tell historical story. It is similar to "documentary film" in a way. It is a new narrative form for "telling."
"Digital readers" - do not read books or print materials. Use the digital formats for serious and leisure reading.
"Audiovisual citzenship" and "media citizenship" - such as social networks. People use technology as the means to communicate and interact with others including blogs, video games; definitely no pencil and paper.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Digital literacy?
I have been reading articles about digital literacy. The more I read, the more I am not sure what is the definition. But one thing for sure is that, the term "digital literacy" assocaites to many :literacies":
- Media aliteracy
- Web literacy
- ICT (Information and Communicatin technology) literacy
- Network literacy
- Computer literacy
- Electronic literacy
Six inches of snow in New England!
I heard from the radio that New England had at least six inches of snow! school closed, power outrages, tree felt down... Oh boy, it is only the first day of November. Winter is not officially here. It seems that a bitter cold and snowy winter is heading our ways.
Better to get ready for the snow. It's coming.
Where is the Autumn?
Better to get ready for the snow. It's coming.
Where is the Autumn?
November 1st All Saints Day
Today is All Saints Day. It is NOT a public holiday. Ssomeone at work asked me what is All Saints Day. So I googled it and found this informative site:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/all-saints-day
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/all-saints-day
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