We all do it. There's a deadline looming and we're on facebook or myspace.. Suddenly even household chores seem more inviting then actually getting the work done.. Like right now.. The internet is a huge distraction but is also the BEST place for research.. Whilst 'researching' I found an interesting article on how to 'pulverize' procrastination. Is it good? yes.. Does it work? no idea.. Will I be following it? Probably not..
Anyway here's the link.. http://tonyteegarden.com/3-steps-pulverize-procrastination/
I hope it will help you more than me..(off to to do some more procrastinating)
22/11/2009
21/11/2009
Presentations
Okay..I've always been computer literate..Having a computer from a young age allowed me to pick up IT skills as you're much more likely to experiment with computers when you're younger. So imagine my surprise when I find out that 7-9 yr olds have the same powerpoint ability as me!
When I set the class I was teaching a presentation task as homework I expected a few basic powerpoints using the basic schemes available on the programme. But many students opted for their own schemes and layouts (which I myself can't create) and had presentation skills that rival some of my teachers!!
This fact lead me to research on powerpoint (I think I was stuck in the pre-millenium age of creating powerpoints) and found an excellent host for powerpoints (ppts) and realised I was making EVERY mistake in the book when it came to creating a presentation. This probably accounted for my abysmal grade in presenting last year which I could not fathom at the time...
I realise now that anyone can use a basic office package and these skills are definitely not enough to create an efficient and effective ppt or look good on a C.V. because now EVERYONE can use a computer. So I've been learning how to use Photoshop, Fluid mask and a whole host of other creative programmes which allow me to incorporate sophiscated images and techniques into my presentation. I'm now anticipating a much higher grade after the amount of effort I've put in...And hopefully mastering these skills will be a good addition to my C.V..
The website by Garr Reynolds has been extremely helpful so I just want to thank him :D
http://www.garrreynolds.com/Presentation/slides.html
When I set the class I was teaching a presentation task as homework I expected a few basic powerpoints using the basic schemes available on the programme. But many students opted for their own schemes and layouts (which I myself can't create) and had presentation skills that rival some of my teachers!!
This fact lead me to research on powerpoint (I think I was stuck in the pre-millenium age of creating powerpoints) and found an excellent host for powerpoints (ppts) and realised I was making EVERY mistake in the book when it came to creating a presentation. This probably accounted for my abysmal grade in presenting last year which I could not fathom at the time...
I realise now that anyone can use a basic office package and these skills are definitely not enough to create an efficient and effective ppt or look good on a C.V. because now EVERYONE can use a computer. So I've been learning how to use Photoshop, Fluid mask and a whole host of other creative programmes which allow me to incorporate sophiscated images and techniques into my presentation. I'm now anticipating a much higher grade after the amount of effort I've put in...And hopefully mastering these skills will be a good addition to my C.V..
The website by Garr Reynolds has been extremely helpful so I just want to thank him :D
http://www.garrreynolds.com/Presentation/slides.html
Graduating..
Recession..I'm completely sick of hearing that word as it fills me with dread and pessimism about my job future prospects.
I'm sure are many of you out there in the same boat as me..graduating with excellent degrees, brilliant prospects, basically academically you are every employers dream. Until...it comes to the work experience section. The worse part is there's not just one or two sections or paragraphs..the top employers expect an endless list of work experience as if we somehow magically managed to find time to study and be CEOs of a company at the same time (okay slight exaggeration but you get my point). Particularly when applying to graduate schemes, the selection process seems so intense I think at this point I'd be more likely to become Prime Minister then make it through the online application/psychometric, numerical and verbal tests/phone interview and double interview with different firm managers!!! Even when applying for work experience some firms (not ALL) want to know about your past work experiences. Would I be applying for work experience if I already had it? I don't think so! I'd be applying for a job instead..
I understand to get coveted law, finance, marketing etc. positions you must have some sort of experience in that field. But how can we get experience in the relevant field when no-one will offer it except for the very few internship positions which are like gold dust?
If anyone has been through this and would like to offer advice to me and other graduates you are more than welcome :D
I'm sure are many of you out there in the same boat as me..graduating with excellent degrees, brilliant prospects, basically academically you are every employers dream. Until...it comes to the work experience section. The worse part is there's not just one or two sections or paragraphs..the top employers expect an endless list of work experience as if we somehow magically managed to find time to study and be CEOs of a company at the same time (okay slight exaggeration but you get my point). Particularly when applying to graduate schemes, the selection process seems so intense I think at this point I'd be more likely to become Prime Minister then make it through the online application/psychometric, numerical and verbal tests/phone interview and double interview with different firm managers!!! Even when applying for work experience some firms (not ALL) want to know about your past work experiences. Would I be applying for work experience if I already had it? I don't think so! I'd be applying for a job instead..
I understand to get coveted law, finance, marketing etc. positions you must have some sort of experience in that field. But how can we get experience in the relevant field when no-one will offer it except for the very few internship positions which are like gold dust?
If anyone has been through this and would like to offer advice to me and other graduates you are more than welcome :D
An unusual lesson in Rhetoric
Being an English major usually prepares you for odd and even slightly questionable lessons where you sit and wonder what exactly that particular lecture has anything at all to do with your subject. But even with regular irrelevant topics (particularly from students from other disciplines attempting to wrestle in their own subject and make it relevant) I thought I'd pretty much seen all the unconventional methods of teaching. Until today...
Sitting in a Rhetoric seminar is confusing and rhetoric itself doesn't even have a fixed definition (just to add to the ambiguity of the entire thing).. However whilst practising progymnastics (writing exercises in rhetoric!) our tutor decided we should follow Phaedrus's approach to teaching. He placed a bottle of soda on the table and gave us three-quarters of an hour to write about it. Bizzare and quite honestly I didn't really see the point of the exercise.. Anyone care to explain how writing about a bottle will help me develop my English skills and get a job?? I think rhetoric has too many philosophical links (not that it's a bad thing) making the concepts extremely profound and difficult to grasp.. The last rhetoric assignment I handed in was composed of no direction or even clear points.. I dread to see the grade! Maybe Phaedrus had a point when he advocated grade abolishment..
Sitting in a Rhetoric seminar is confusing and rhetoric itself doesn't even have a fixed definition (just to add to the ambiguity of the entire thing).. However whilst practising progymnastics (writing exercises in rhetoric!) our tutor decided we should follow Phaedrus's approach to teaching. He placed a bottle of soda on the table and gave us three-quarters of an hour to write about it. Bizzare and quite honestly I didn't really see the point of the exercise.. Anyone care to explain how writing about a bottle will help me develop my English skills and get a job?? I think rhetoric has too many philosophical links (not that it's a bad thing) making the concepts extremely profound and difficult to grasp.. The last rhetoric assignment I handed in was composed of no direction or even clear points.. I dread to see the grade! Maybe Phaedrus had a point when he advocated grade abolishment..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)