notemaking–2nd blog

I am doing an essay these days. One crucial step is reading and note making. I made notes about key points in every material. When I started to write the essay, I found the notes are not strong enough to support writing. one problem is that I did not organise the notes. I find that it would be more convenient if I organise notes according to contents rather than to sources. For instance, I should have put contents about the features of bureaucracy together. I will take notes in this way next time.

: 28 Oct 2010 20:15 |  Tags: A1 Portfolio |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

managing time_2nd blog

I am doing an essay these days. I schedule the process like ten days for reading, ten days for first draft. I found it is not effective. There were many contingencies which made the schedule impractical. Another problem is how to further arrange actions in each step. For instance, I have problem predicting how long it would take to finish the second sub-question.

Another problem is about determination. Sometimes, I wrote down a plan for next day. It turned out that I failed to follow the plan.

: 28 Oct 2010 20:08 |  Tags: P7 Portfolio |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

P1–1st blog

In this session, I have known four types of learning style. I know my own learning habit like tending to understand the structure and internal links between different parts. But I did not know corresponding learning style. Thus, I did not how to improve my strength and how to make up for my weaknesses. After taking the session, I know I am in the theorist type and I am poor at activist and being practical.

I plan to enhance my ability of being activist. First, I start to keep a daily record of something new in my life. This is my first time being in the UK. There should be many exciting and interesting things. If I was required to record the fresh things, I have to discover them by going around, taking part in some activities, and making new friends. I believe it is a good way to make me active. Second, I can try to follow my hunch sometimes. I get used to make daily schedule and follow it. I guess sometimes follow feelings rather than plan can make life more exciting and unrestraint.

: 25 Oct 2010 22:24 |  Tags: P1 Portfolio |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Being Assertive–1st blog

This session is very helpful. First, I have understood the differences between being passive, assertive and aggressive. I behave differently in different situations. But I understand the best way to deal with any situation is to be assertive. I have known that assertiveness can be displayed in several ways. I can express my assertiveness with a confident posture, in  calm voice andintonation.

I think being assertive is an effective way to protect ourselves from offence. With confidence and rationality, we can cope with different troubles. I believe it requires daily practice to be really assertive. I plan to practice by recording my efforts everyday, namely, record how I try to be assertive. it is a way to remind me to behave assertively and record my progress. 

By the way, Bev, I do not know the date for submission of final blog because I left earlier for another session at 600pm. Could you please tell me the date? Thanks!

: 25 Oct 2010 21:10 |  Tags: P2 Portfolio |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

managing time–1st blog

During this session, I have got some really valuable information about managing time. First, I got help to identify my goals. I have known I should arrange my time according to what I want in Warwick, but I failed to set and rank my goals. I have finished the goal identification part.

I get to used to arrange my time on a daily basis, e.g. read pp 30-40 between 14.00--15.00. It is tiring because I have to do it everyday. But it really helps me do things in a more efficient way. One problem is that I find it hard to define the time period of doing something. Sometimes I can not finish the task due to the unexpected workload. Sometimes I can easily complete a task in a shorter time since it is not as hard as I expected. Given the information in the session, I should probably refer to SMART: make an achievable and realistic schedule. I guess it is not that easy because it is hard to measure whether or not it is achievable.

Another thing is that I should find the most efficient time for me. I did not realise it before the session. Thanks for the hint.

: 13 Oct 2010 17:11 |  Tags: P7 Portfolio |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

A1–1st blog

During the Reading and Note-Making session, I  have learnt several ways of note-making. I get used to use bullet ponits to take notes, and /i find it is suitable for me. Now I think I can combine mind mapping into my notes so that I can structure all the contents in a more clear way.

One more thing that I should pay attention is "think before you write". I think it is a pretty good way to help understand the contents and memorize them. I will practice in this way.

As for reading, I think I should learn to select. I used to read everything in a book. Now I realise it is really difficult to know everything given the limited time. It is important for me to range reading especially when I have so many papers on hand.

To summarise, I am learning to use map to structure my notes, to think before making notes, and  to range reading.

: 13 Oct 2010 16:53 |  Tags: A1 Portfolio |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem