Uh. Um. Er. Em. Eh.
We all know these filler words. We know that Speech 101 tells us to avoid these words at all possible. We all know these words make you look unprepared, nervous and unpassionate. We know, or at least try our damnedest, not to use these words when speaking.
So, is it okay to use these words online?
Most people don;t use them, but they do have their place: the only time I have really seen anyone use filler words is when the situation has gotten really awkward and you want the other person to know just how awkward it is.
For example, if this chat window were to pop up on your Facebook:
Hey guh wats ur sign
Then this would be an appropriate answer. Followed by an X-out and "Go Offline"
ummmmm...
But to be frank, these words are awful. I know I use them and I wish I didn't. So our online voice has the right idea: cut 'em out!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Keep it Classy: Analog versus Digital.
Technology has become a vital part of our school work. As a college student, I have to say I run into a lot of technical difficulties.
Some teachers treat your class like an online class and put EVERYTHING on your campus's eLearning site. Some teachers are anti-tech and refuse to allow computers, assuming that all students are fooling around on Facebook instead of writing notes.
I've experimented with both the "old fashioned" and the digital method. I lean toward the digital method, mostly because I prefer typing over writing (hand cramps are expected with 17 credit hours). But I found a happy medium. So how did I balance digital and old school studies? It turned out to be really simple.
*Keep a Binder. My mom got me some really nice fabric-covered binders.
*Page Protectors. Instead of messy hole puncher, use page protectors to keep handouts, note cards, and whatever else safe. Unless you carry your binder upside down, there's no easy way to loose them.
*Highlight the Good Stuff. I used to be very anti-highlighter. Mostly because I over highlighted. I found that if I highlighted what my teachers covered, I was pretty much set. However, this does vary from professor to professor.
*Type your notes. Super easy to make edits, and it's okay if you spell something wrong or jumble something. You can make sense of it after you've typed what your teacher said to turn into true verbatim.
*Thank your Prof for spending time typing up notes and uploading them for your use. A thank-you note would be a nice touch. Another nice touch would be using them.
*Pay attention. Don't Facebook in the front row. If you have real trouble, go to "File" and check "Work Offline" to try and keep yourself in check.
*Keep Everything on a JumpDrive. I have a cute penguin one! This way you aren't relying on your computer if it crashes.
*Guard your JumpDrive with your life. I've had success keeping it on my keys or in a special spot in my bag.
*Keep both a digital and hard copy agenda. Therefore there is no way you will miss something.
*If you just can't pay attention, Record your Lecture. You'll thank me later....
So this is how I do it. The multimedia method will of course need some tweaking for each person, but it's worth a shot if you stand in the middle.
How do you stay organized in class? Paper, Digital, or both? Let me know how you do it!
Some teachers treat your class like an online class and put EVERYTHING on your campus's eLearning site. Some teachers are anti-tech and refuse to allow computers, assuming that all students are fooling around on Facebook instead of writing notes.
I've experimented with both the "old fashioned" and the digital method. I lean toward the digital method, mostly because I prefer typing over writing (hand cramps are expected with 17 credit hours). But I found a happy medium. So how did I balance digital and old school studies? It turned out to be really simple.
*Keep a Binder. My mom got me some really nice fabric-covered binders.
*Page Protectors. Instead of messy hole puncher, use page protectors to keep handouts, note cards, and whatever else safe. Unless you carry your binder upside down, there's no easy way to loose them.
*Highlight the Good Stuff. I used to be very anti-highlighter. Mostly because I over highlighted. I found that if I highlighted what my teachers covered, I was pretty much set. However, this does vary from professor to professor.
*Type your notes. Super easy to make edits, and it's okay if you spell something wrong or jumble something. You can make sense of it after you've typed what your teacher said to turn into true verbatim.
*Thank your Prof for spending time typing up notes and uploading them for your use. A thank-you note would be a nice touch. Another nice touch would be using them.
*Pay attention. Don't Facebook in the front row. If you have real trouble, go to "File" and check "Work Offline" to try and keep yourself in check.
*Keep Everything on a JumpDrive. I have a cute penguin one! This way you aren't relying on your computer if it crashes.
*Guard your JumpDrive with your life. I've had success keeping it on my keys or in a special spot in my bag.
*Keep both a digital and hard copy agenda. Therefore there is no way you will miss something.
*If you just can't pay attention, Record your Lecture. You'll thank me later....
So this is how I do it. The multimedia method will of course need some tweaking for each person, but it's worth a shot if you stand in the middle.
How do you stay organized in class? Paper, Digital, or both? Let me know how you do it!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Social Network or Social Life? Why Choose!?
We all know that the Internet, Facebook, and Twitter, make our daily lives easier. It's easy to stay connected with friends and family member. It's a great way to network!
Unfortunately, we as a society have messed up. Big Time.
We've let these websites run our lives. We've let them take over our social interactions. Everything from phone calls to parties have been made so much easier by Facebook. We let it do the work for us. So simple! No need to use a phone to call someone or mail a letter... just do it via Facebook chat.
And there in lies the issue. I let Facebook take over. I use it know what people are up to without talking to them. Instead of the original idea to stay connected with old friends and family member, I use it instead of spending time with them.
Bad. Bad bad bad.
So I'm on a mission. A mission to balance life and the internet.
I am in love with technology. And it's part of my career, so I have to learn to draw the line between helping my career and hurting my social life!
So let's go back to having a social life... not just a social network.
XOXO,
Alyson
Unfortunately, we as a society have messed up. Big Time.
We've let these websites run our lives. We've let them take over our social interactions. Everything from phone calls to parties have been made so much easier by Facebook. We let it do the work for us. So simple! No need to use a phone to call someone or mail a letter... just do it via Facebook chat.
And there in lies the issue. I let Facebook take over. I use it know what people are up to without talking to them. Instead of the original idea to stay connected with old friends and family member, I use it instead of spending time with them.
Bad. Bad bad bad.
So I'm on a mission. A mission to balance life and the internet.
I am in love with technology. And it's part of my career, so I have to learn to draw the line between helping my career and hurting my social life!
So let's go back to having a social life... not just a social network.
XOXO,
Alyson
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