Learning Theories
Research the databases in the Ashford University Library for two to three full-text scholarly souces that focus on learning theories. Submit a two-page overview of the theories and compare and contrast the significant elements of the theories using examples of individual learning in your organization.
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[order_calculator]1. Check the LIST (posted on my office door) for the topics for the Final Research Paper. Print your name in the space of the topic that you choose to report on. It will involve a significant construction project, generally an antiquity from hundreds of years ago.
2. Summarize the event by reporting such things as WHEN and WHERE it occurred, the SIZE, the CIVILIZATION that built it and the CULTURE that was prevalent in the era, and any other pertinent information concerning this contribution to the built environment.
3. Report on HOW it was built, based on your own research and understanding of what was available. You should comment on such items as: the MATERIALS used; the METHODS, TOOLS and/or EQUIPMENT used; and the LABOR FORCE at the time. (Hint – this part is at least 25% of your grade)
4. Lastly, I would like each of you to give your best analysis of how you think such a structure (whether it be a building, road, dam, canal, bridge, etc.) would be built IF IT WAS BUILT TODAY! Speculate, be creative, make a lot of assumptions – whatever it takes! (Hint – this part is at least 25% of your grade)
5. The minimum number of pages in the body of the report is 10 (this number does NOT include the title page, abstract or reference page!). The report is to be computer generated, 12-font, 1” margins, double-spaced with page numbers in the lower right corner. Any sketches, photos, etc., will be counted in the page count – up to a point!
6. A Bibliography is mandatory. A minimum of three references are required and a minimum of two references must be from sources other than the internet. You also must indicate in the text where each of the references are being cited or quoted. Use MLA format for references – see the MLA Guidelines document under “Assignments” on the CON101 web page.
7. Note: DO NOT put the paper in a folder or binder. But you MUST have a cover page, and then a 100-word (maximum) Abstract, titled “Abstract,” on a separate sheet.
8. The report will be due during the week shown on the syllabus. Check with your instructor on the exact day. Papers are due at the beginning of class – There will be absolutely NO exceptions.
9. Remember to submit a “hard” copy in class When you send your file use the following naming convention: lastname_firstname_topic.doc For example: Smith_John_Golden Gate Bridge.doc
10. Point value for this Final Research Paper is 200 points. Remember – get it “write” the first time – no re-writes. Double check your work. Don’t do it the night before it’s due! Spelling, grammar and content all count – you must address all three!
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[order_calculator]Paper Two – Research Narrative and Annotated Bibliography (25%)
Length: 3-5 typed pages + bibliography
Goals: To expand your research skills and to increase the number of sources typically used for a paper.
To evaluate the information you have found and to reflect on the various opinions others have about your topic.
To develop documentation skills.
Format: The paper must be double-spaced with 1-inch margins. Use a 12 point font. The text should be left justified. See chapter 11 in the Field Guide for a sample annotated bibliography. It must use correct MLA or APA citation formation (or the format appropriate to your major)
Content: A description of your research and a 20+ item annotated bibliography.
Preparation Activities
Read chapter 11 and part 5 of the Field Guide. Take part in class exercises and activities on research, annotation, evaluation, and documentation.
Ask each other, the WSU librarians, and me for help finding sources.
Remember: This paper takes care of the bulk of your reading and research so that when you write paper three, you are ready to argue using the evidence you’ve found.
Instructions
Find 20 sources about your topic. They need to be a balanced mixture of source type (internet/journal/magazine/newspaper/book, etc.) and have a range of opinion (agree with you / disagree with you / mixed opinion). At this stage, you can include sources that you have decided will not be good sources for your final paper so long as you can explain why they don’t measure up.
As you search, keep a record of how and where you found materials. Make sure you keep bibliographic reference material for all your sources. See APA/MLA information in the Field Guide.
Write 3-5 pages describing your research process and results. Follow it with an annotated bibliography. Include the following:
1. A descriptive title.
2. A description of your research process. This is the story of how you found your materials. Include how you figured out where and how to look, and what successes and failures you had. Discuss your search strategies (choosing an appropriate database, choosing the search terms, etc.) This section should include a short restatement of your topic and its scope. This may have evolved since paper one. E.g. My topic is whether hybrid cars are a practical solution to oil usage issues and I’m focusing only on American markets.
3. Source selection criteria. How did you choose sources? For this paper, you may include sources you think are not credible or are biased.
4. A summary of the main positions taken on your topic. At this point you should not be saying whether you agree / disagree or be refuting the points. This is similar to the overview in paper one, but now you’ve moved on from just your general knowledge to a neutral survey of what you found.
5. An evaluation of your opinion and knowledge of the topic in the light of the TOTAL 20 sources you have found. Has this research changed your mind? Deepened your convictions? Briefly describe what you thought about the topic before the research. Discuss how you came to hold those ideas originally. Describe what you think now.
6. An inventory and discussion of whether you have enough valid sources for your paper. Are there areas for which you still need to find materials? What will you do to find the information you still need?
7. A provisional goal for your final paper. E.g. In my final paper I hope to prove that eating a 5lb bag of sugar every day is, despite what most people believe, really a healthy thing to do. This is a statement that could serve as a rough draft thesis to help you focus as you move on to read your research closely for evidence and quotations.
8. A bibliographic list of all the relevant sources you found. You should write 3-5 sentences about each entry. Make sure you first describe the source and then evaluate it. Use chapter 11 of the Field Guide to see how to write the descriptive and evaluative entries.
Here are some considerations for part eight.
A bibliography is a list of sources about a subject. A works cited page lists only sources used in a paper. It doesn’t reflect all the background reading you do – only the materials you actually cite. This assignment asks for a bibliography so it includes all the relevant works you found. The final paper will have a works cited page – just referring to what you use in the paper. Remember, paper two is where you can demonstrate all the background work you do without having to cram it into the final paper. Paper three uses only the best materials.
Annotated bibliographies are used in research as tools to help people select sources. In addition to being a list of materials, an annotated bibliography also describes and / or evaluates the materials. You might be lucky enough to find an annotated bibliography about your topic — it could help you find and select good sources. They are also tools for writers to evaluate their own research. The one you write will to help you decide which sources are worth using. You are documenting, describing, and evaluating twenty sources.
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[order_calculator]Crime trends are formed from reports of crimes that have already occurred. Areas are mapped and marked with what time and what type of crime occurs over a specific period of time (a large database is used, a record that holds a full year of information is more accurate than just a few days, a week, or a month).
There is one fundamental problem with reported crime. The shortcoming in any analysis of crime is what criminologists call the dark figure of crime. The total amount of crime consists of the following two things:
•The amount of crime reported to the police
•Crimes not known to the police
Crimes not known to the police may happen because they were undiscovered, unreported, or not recorded properly by the law enforcement department. One aid to help with the dark figure of crime is self-reported victimization surveys; yet, they still do not pick up all of the unreported crime. Some surveys are sent to homes and only the head of the household fills it out, and this person may not know that a crime has been perpetrated on his or her spouse or child. Therefore, the notation of this crime happening will be overlooked. In a self-reported study, one may not consider the event a crime. These crimes will not be noted in any statistics. These are the dark figures of crime—crime that is happening, yet it is not reported.
Given what you now know about crime mapping, discuss the dark figure of crime again, answering the following questions:
•Is there any way a local police department may gather information on crimes that were never reported?
•How would the local department handle unreported crimes in a confidential and private manner?
•Give suggestions on how this may be accomplished and if you think that it could be accomplished?
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[order_calculator]You are to explore math textbooks for the school setting in which you teach or plan to teach. Examine the offerings of at least 3 different publishers for first grade. You must then create a chart that includes the pros and cons of each series (1 page minimum). Then, choose the 1 series(book) that you feel meets the needs of the majority of students in that school setting, including students with special needs, general education students, and those with gifts and talents. Then, write a paper (1 page minimum) justifying your choice in terms of standards, content, and interest.
Here are my Professor comments:
For the purposes of this assignment, you are to assume the position of a textbook committee member. Your committee is charged with choosing a single math program that will best meet the needs of all students. Locate at least 3 different Math series for your grade level (current or anticipated) and create a pros/cons list for each. After you have evaluated each of them, choose the one that you think would offer ALL students the best math curriculum. If you are looking at an elementary curriculum, make sure to look at Everyday Math as it is very popular at this time.
In one document, include:
1-An explanation as to your thought processes in determining which series to evaluate, where you located them (school, library, online, etc.)
2-Pros/cons list for each series. You can use a chart format or other graphic organizer as long as the series for each section is clearly labeled
3-Your decision about the best series including a justification. This may include some information from the pros/cons list, but should be “fleshed out.”
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[order_calculator]Through a case study, write a double spaced paper, APA style about a company that has come to symbolize both the benefits and risks inherent in globalization in China. The paper should examine the various difficulties and complexities these companies face as they seek to balance both company performance and good corporate citizenship in today’s global world. Furthermore, specifically write about the future of oil that has become very important to our day-to-day lives and the future of our planet. This paper should be an analysis of China to include:
– cultural aspects both individually and organizationally;
– the economic, monetary and political environment;
– trade parameters, policies and barriers;
– organizational structures and accepted management methods.
*Please provide an paper abstract, outline, and the bibliography page
as the first part to be delivered.
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[order_calculator]Identify a situation with a specific business or operational problem where a new IT product or service would help to improve the situation.
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[order_calculator]Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas:
Part A: Values
What is literature, and what does it have to do with us today—especially those of us who are studying at a “technical” university? When many think of literature, they envision old, dusty, leather-bound books written about people in ages past who spoke strangely (“Hark! Who goest there?”) and wore corsets or top hats. But literature is arguably more relevant today in our bustling 21st century than ever before, and reading it can be a fun, meaningful endeavor. So open your textbook, your mind and your heart and experience the joy and inspiration of reading stories, poems and plays as never before.
Define literature in your own words.
In what ways do you suppose reading literature might benefit us personally and professionally?
What are 3 of the best pieces of fiction you have ever read? (Fiction includes stories, novels or poems, and not biographies, factual accounts or how-to books.)
What did you like about the 3 stories?
Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.
? Mahatma Gandhi
In this course we are studying literature, but we are also exploring human values. Woven throughout the fiction, poetry and drama we will be reading are considerations such as What is right? What is wrong? and What makes our lives meaningful? One way to think about values is to ask yourself, “What in my life is most important to me? Who or what do I value?”
In one or two paragraphs, list 5 of your core values (ex: family, work, health, creativity, honesty, fun, spirituality, freedom, beauty, loyalty, etc.—the list is endless) and explain how these values have shaped who you are now and how you feel they will continue to, as Gandhi says, shape your destiny.
Part B: Short story, “Carnal Knowledge”
This assignment begins the process of exposing you to various forms of short fiction. In Literature to Go read the short story, “Carnal Knowledge” by T.C. Boyle and in 3 to 5 paragraphs, discuss your reaction to the story by answering the following questions:
Put yourself in the position of Jim, the protagonist, whose values are dramatically different from Alena’s. Why do you think he is so easily swayed to compromise his beliefs in Alena’s presence?
Now imagine that you are Alena; in what ways does she consistently live out her convictions? Can you empathize with her passion for justice?
In your opinion, who has more integrity, Jim or Alena? Why?
What is the theme, or main message, of this piece?
Describe Boyle’s tone and use of irony as a means of reminding us that our assumptions about life and people are not always accurate.
NOTE: Example,
A
1. Define Literature in your own words.
To me, literature is an ability. It is the ability to express a dream, a creation, a world beyond the one we know and live in. Literature can be whatever you want it to be. Through the means of writing, a person has the ability to be anyone, do anything. It doesn’t have to make sense or be realistic. You can live in the stars or go on dangerous adventures, anything you want. Reading literature has the same effect. Getting lost in a good story, becoming a character that you can identify with; that’s the best part about reading. Then, having been able to see life and it’s principles through another’s eyes, feeling for them as they go through trials and tribulations, making the tough decisions. Reading good literature can be an adventure of its own.
In what ways do you suppose reading literature might benefit us personally and professionally?
When I read a good book, I get very wrapped up in the personality of the characters. I learn from what they are going through and the mistakes that they make. I get to expand my mind and see things from their perspective, or the perspective of the writer, and in doing so, I have the opportunity to understand people better. Maybe I would not have made the same choices as the character, but through reading the full story, I might understand why one would make those decisions.
3. What are 3 of the best pieces of fiction you have ever read? (Fiction includes stories, novels or poems, and not biographies, factual accounts or how-to books.)
The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy (trilogy), by Douglas Adams
Ender’s Game (trilogy), by Orson Scott Card
The Raven, by Edgar Allan Poe
What did you like about the 3 stories?
The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy is a series of science fiction novels. I read them all together in one big book, but originally they were separate. I find these stories to be interesting because they are complete fantasy, being science fiction, but also, I find them incredibly humorous. The writer, Douglas Adams, has a way of telling a story so that it makes fun of simple situations and shrinks issues like impending death into laughable situations.
Ender’s Game is another science fiction trilogy. It is about a boy, Ender, in the future. To make a very long story short, he and other children like himself, have the intelligence and ability to assist in fighting a interstellar war and thus, save the world. I think this story really made its mark by bringing the characters to life. Orson Scott Card is one of my favorite writers. He really knows how to develop a character so that the reader genuinely cares about them and what happens to them.
The Raven is a poem by Edgar Allan Poe. I would like to think that most people know this, but maybe they don’t. I like this piece of literature because of its macabre nature. The story is about a man who lost his lover and this shadow, raven, haunts him. I also enjoy all the descriptive words the author uses to describe the scene of this event. I can literally picture the silky purple curtains in his library and, of course, the bust of Pallas just above the chamber door.
Core Values
God
God has to come first; not religion, just God, because, without him there is nothing. There is no me, no you, no world to be concerned with.
God has always helped me and I trust he will continue to do so in my future.
Family
This was not always one of my core values. I did not have the best childhood, but I like to think that I am who I am, not because of my past, but in spite of it. I made a choice to be better than what life was preparing to give me. I decided to work harder and push past the stigmas. I am not my parents and I am not their mistakes. I do, however, have a wonderful son, Jacob, who is my inspiration and my reason for trying as hard as I do. He deserves the best of me and I am determined to give it to him. As for the future, family will have a different meaning to him then it did for me as a kid.
Respect
I know that when I mention respect, the first thought is that I am asking for people to respect me, but this is not what I mean. When I say respect, I mean that I think it’s important to treat others with respect. In doing so, one will earn respect in return. This has, for the most part, worked well for me in the past and although sometimes it is hard to treat others with respect, I still try to do it and keep in mind that I do not know the path they have travelled.
I will continue to do my best to treat others with the same respect I would like to be treated with. This even includes the inmates I see at work every day. I have found that even these guys know what it is to be treated fairly and they do react to it.
Love
Doing battle against the terrible odds that life throws at you is too daunting a task to face alone. Having that true partner to see you through is incredibly important. Finding that someone, however, is not so easy.
My current situation is less than perfect, but, all is well that ends well. Someday I will find the impossible.
Ambition
If you’re going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. That’s how I see it. Work, school, family and fun; do it right and it will always be better. A little bit of ambition goes a long way, plus, the people around you will be inspired to do better in their daily tasks. Try it, it works.
Hopefully, this attitude will help me in the future as it always has in the past. After graduation, I especially think this will be helpful in my new career.
Part B: Short story, “Carnal Knowledge”
This assignment begins the process of exposing you to various forms of short fiction. In Literature to Go read the short story, “Carnal Knowledge” by T.C. Boyle and in 3 to 5 paragraphs, discuss your reaction to the story by answering the following questions:
Put yourself in the position of Jim, the protagonist, whose values are dramatically different from Alena’s. Why do you think he is so easily swayed to compromise his beliefs in Alena’s presence?
I think initially Jim just wanted to be the person that Alena would be attracted to. He saw a beautiful, passionate woman and he wanted to be part of her world. After a while, he felt like he was part of something. In the beginning of the story, I got the idea that Jim didn’t have a whole lot going on in his life, he was alone and useless. With Alena, he became a warrior for the animals and a hero in her eyes. It was an adventure that he was willing to shirk his responsibilities to continue living.
Now imagine that you are Alena; in what ways does she consistently live out her convictions? Can you empathize with her passion for justice?
Alena is not a hypocrite. She truly lives the life that she preaches. Between protesting, being vegan and her illegal activities, she is definitely dedicated to the cause. Unfortunately, she doesn’t consider the consequences of her actions, like the turkeys and their sad fate.
In a way, I can empathize with Alena. I don’t disagree that animals are not treated fairly, however, I also eat meat. I think there’s a happy medium to everything. Animals should not be treated with cruelty, but people should be able to eat meat and use other animal products like leather without being persecuted.
In your opinion, who has more integrity, Jim or Alena? Why?
Alena is true to her cause and her beliefs in helping animals. Jim wins on integrity when it comes to the relationship. He would have never left her behind, even if it meant getting caught. In the end, when Alena runs off to bear country with Rolfe, the reader really sees how much Jim was into this relationship. I felt bad for him.
What is the theme, or main message, of this piece?
I don’t know if it’s really a lesson. He doesn’t exactly say that it wasn’t worth it. Would Jim do it all over again, knowing the end result? Maybe the message is not to pretend to be something you’re not. Be true to yourself.
Describe Boyle’s tone and use of irony as a means of reminding us that our assumptions about life and people are not always accurate.
Even I was convinced that a woman who was so passionate about her love for animals would be equally passionate about a man that shared her same goals. When she deserted Jim for the bears I realized, as I’m sure he did, that she was exactly what she seemed, only I hadn’t been looking at it the right way all along. It was kind of a slap in the face.
I guess it was pretty ironic in the end, after all his realizations, Jim returns to eating meat. In fact, it’s one of the first things he does after Alena leaves him broken-hearted. His desire to fill that empty feeling in his gut overrode his new found passion for animal rights.
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[order_calculator]You may choose to write on the following topics regarding The Alamo – a movie by Produced Ron Howard:
1. The Alamo by Ron Howard revealed many historical facts that are not commonly known by those familiar with the story. Discuss (a) what you learned from the film that you were not aware of prior and (b) discuss your overall thoughts regarding this important time in the history of Texas.
2. As was revealed by the film, the battle of the Alamo was not simply a fight between Mexicans and American immigrants in Northern Mexico. Immigrants from the United States fought along side native Mexican citizens to topple Santa Anna and his tyrannical rule. Discuss this phenomena and how you feel it helped to shape the unique personality and culture of San Antonio and Texas as a whole. How has this revelation changed you perspective (if at all) regarding the character of this city and State?
3. In the film, Santa Anna states that his mission is to preserve the integrity of the national territory so that in the future, their grandchildren, and the grandchildren of their grandchildren do not have to suffer the disgrace of begging for crumbs from the Americans – that Mexico did not win its independence from Spanish rule only to have their territory stolen by pirates. Discuss Santa Anna’s comments given (a) what we now know about the Mexican American struggle for equality in the United States today, and (b) what we know now about the state of chaos that now grips the nation of Mexico.
4. Select a historical character(s) from the film (William Barrett Travis, Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, Juan Seguin, etc) and discuss their contribution to the formation of the Republic of Texas. Were their motives honorable in your opinion? Were they real heroes or self-interested individuals seeking to make a new life having failed to do so successfully prior?
5. If neither of the topics above suit you preference, write on a topic of your own choosing.
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[order_calculator]* Read the entire test document before starting the test! Be sure to read all of the assigned GK columns!
* You have the entire week to work on the test, so don’t worry about logging on and off.
* However, do not wait until the last minute to begin the test.
* Remember to work on the test alone!
* Do not use an encyclopedia like Wikipedia or an answer site like yahoo answers or you will lose points! Do your own analytical thinking.
* Have a good test! 🙂
PART ONE:
IDENTIFICATIONS: (50 points)
Define and give the significance of ALL of the following issues/concerns:
1. The Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI
2. Charles Hegel
3. The Energy Crisis
4. The Sequester/Debt Crisis
5. Globalization
Your identification answers should each be a substantial paragraph. But, they do not have to be pages and pages! You should however address at least FIVE very important points per identification. And then, you must explain why the person, event, issue or theory is significant in the study of current world affairs. You may also use a bullet style presentation as long as you provide enough information. Identifications are meant to thoroughly cover the subject while being concise.
Remember to document your sources. If you use a direct quote or paraphrase use parenthetical documentation. This applies to material in my GK columns or an outside source. Be sure to use (the Author’s last name, page number) in the body of your work. Tell me where you got your information? There should also be a master/formal Works Cited list at the end of the test.
PART TWO:
PERSONAL JOURNAL: (50 points)
The journals should follow the directions that are located under COURSE CONTENT. This should be a critical analysis of daily/weekly news watching, listening and reading. The student should critically analyze the news and report if they think there is “bias” in what they have read or heard. They should include in their weekly summaries whether their personal opinions were “swayed” by the news reporting. The student should also include in their summary whether “class discussions” influenced their thinking during any particular week.
The submission must be neatly typed in a Word document format. No other format/program will be accepted. The student must use three news sources each week and the sources must be from three different news reporting formats. This includes: Print journalism (newspapers, books, and magazines), television press reporting, and Internet sources. The student should include one international source such as the BBC, CNN International, Canadian Broadcasting or Bloomberg News.
The journal should exhibit the students best writing skills and use proper grammar and sentence structure. In other words, you should compile your note keeping into a cohesive report that utilizes your analytical skills. 🙂
You may “not” use an online encyclopedia such as Wikipedia or an answer site as a source.
****Tests submitted without a bibliography will automatically lose points.
The test is due by 7:00 a.m., Monday, March 11. Late submissions will lose a grade for every day they are outstanding. The college Angel system clocks the submissions. No tests will be accepted after 7:00 a.m. March 14. There will be no make-up tests unless previously arranged with the instructor.
Submit your test as a Word document attachmentthrough the Assignment Drop Box. This is the only acceptable form of submission. The test must be submitted as an attachment. Submit the test document as a “single”Word document. Number all your pages and be sure to put “your name” in your file document name.
Example: Your Name_CWA_Test One
PART THREE:
EXTRA CREDIT: (10 possible points)
Write a one page essay answering the following question:
1. Choose a current event story that has not been mentioned on this or the last test. Explain why you feel this event/issue is significant in a global concept. This is the time to use some of the interesting news stories you have read over the past few weeks. Support your answer with facts.
*Test Tip:
Remember to use your entire knowledge base that you are amassing. This should include your news watching, listening and reading that you are doing for your personal journal, my GK columns, as well as information you have garnered from past discussions and reliable outside sources. Link your information together. As you work on your test, remember to look at the “big picture.” Don’t isolate your facts. Take your time and pace your test. Don’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed, as you have the entire week to complete this test. 🙂
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