13B

Help Me Connect!

The final exam is based on a movie we have to create for the Inquiry class. My topic is “Internet Drama” and will include internet connections issues when moving into the dorms, technology problems, how to access the Help Desk at Southern and West Hall’s computer lab.   My topic is creative because it is about the Internet and everyone has trouble occasionally trying to connect to the web. The video will give the students ideas and the ability to be creative when trying different ways to reconnect when they have trouble.

Apple has created a program called iMovie, which allows the user to easily produce a unique video clip on the computer.  It is very simple and easy because the user is able to upload previously recorded video clips into iMovie and edit them.  It is a very easy program that anyone can use and is free with the computer.

IMovie comes with many features includes cutting clips, adjusting the duration of the movie, ability to insert pictures into the project, flowing transitions, and adding music in the background. All of these features allow the person making the video to be as creative as they would like to be. I have a lot of ideas about how to make an interesting video and I will use the features that I have access to in order to create a better video. 

The technology is amazing on the iMovie software and working with it will be fun and creative.  My video will have an interesting opening, be organized and flow well, as well as having a good ending.  I will make an effort to talk to interesting people who have a lot of information about the internet and ways to help the students at Southern Connecticut State University be better prepared for internet issues and how to solve them more efficiently.

13A

Lights, Camera, Action!

The final exam in Inquiry is a video project.  For the midterm, our class had to create movies and then show it to the class.  The movie was created on iMovie or Moviemaker programs.  From receiving a B (84) on my midterm movie, I will make my video for the final exhibit a high level of college-level thinking in order to receive an A.  For example, I will work on having my video centered on a clear, focused topic.  My topic is “Internet Drama” and will include internet connections issues when moving into the dorms, technology problems, how to access the Help Desk at Southern and West Hall’s computer lab.  I will make sure my video has an interesting introduction, is well organized and flows well, and has a good conclusion.

Also, I need to make my movie interesting, creative, and engaging by talking to people at school who are knowledgeable and can give advice to other students. Similarly, some students may need assistance in computer training on the necessary programs such as Word and Excel so that they can produce college level assignments.  It will also include input from technical support on campus that can give suggestions to students to assist them with simple trouble shooting ideas for both Mac and Windows.  It will include who to contact if the need arises and the hours that they are available.  Also, some students may need assistance in computer training on the necessary programs such as Word and Excel so that they can produce college level assignments. 

I need to make sure that it shows college-level thinking by putting in effort to publishing the final product.  My project will include an engaging title, names of the people interviewed, as well as necessary credits. I think students will want to watch my video so that they can learn more about the technical support here at Southern Connecticut State University. It will be an interesting video and I am looking forward to doing this project.

12I

Communication Majors

#8. Visit the office of the secretary of the department you are majoring in or might want to major in. Write down the secretary's name, office #, & phone #. Ask him/her about the process of getting an advisor in that department.

I am a freshman at Southern Connecticut State University and I am going for a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication.  Carol Culmo is the Communication department secretary of Communication at Southern.  Her office is located in Englemen Hall, B019.  If students need to make an advising appointment or call, she can be reached at (203) 392-5377 or emailed at culmoc1@southern.edu.

I went into her office to make an appointment for my major and to help me with my schedule for registering for spring classes.  It was very easy as she asked what year I am currently in and what is my availability.  I told her I was free during the week in the afternoon and she scheduled a group meeting with freshmen Communication majors.  The advising appointment was a group setting and was very informative about the Communication major.  I am excited to earn my Bachelor’s Degree and look forward to what my career options are.

12V

"The Interdisciplinary Way"

The word “Interdisciplinary Perspective” relates to Inquiry class this week.  This is a combination of two different areas of study that work together well.  Math and science are often a combined discipline that work well together because they are both logical and use equations to solve problems.  An example would be grams and kilograms.  In order to work with powers of 10, it would be necessary to be knowledgeable in mathematics.  This is a mathematical concept as well as a scientific concept. 

History and English are subject areas that are also interdisciplinary.  For example, they work together because we may read topics in American History and have to debate the topic as well as write a persuasive essay on it.

Interdisciplinary assignments help students understand both areas of subject content.  In my own experience, my Inquiry class and Media Studies courses are linked together this semester.  The students that are in the Inquiry course are also in the Media Studies course so they are linked together.

12B

Inquiry Questions

1. Why does a Liberal Arts Education benefit students?
2. What qualities do employers seek in college graduates?  “The capacity to innovate — the ability to solve problems creatively or bring new possibilities to life — and skills like critical thinking, communication and collaboration are far more important than academic knowledge.”  (Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/31/opinion/sunday/friedman-need-a-job-invent-it.html?_r=2&) College graduates should not just be able to write or calculate a math problem but also to think creativity and innovatively.
3. Does our minds enrich society, not our careers?
4. How would shorter school days, no tests or homework change children?

What qualities do employers seek in college graduates?  “The capacity to innovate — the ability to solve problems creatively or bring new possibilities to life — and skills like critical thinking, communication and collaboration are far more important than academic knowledge.”

I chose to answer the second question because I am going to be a college graduate and will creatively think in my Communication field.  I will graduate with the basic knowledge that I will need to make a career in my field of study.  When I apply for a job, I know that I will be highly motivated to find a position .  I very much want to work in a big city such as Los Angeles or New York.  I am very motivated and aggressive and will succeed in obtaining a position.  Once I obtain the position, I will use my creative skills that I learned during my college education, and continue to grow and be inventive.  I will think about the requests of my career and do as much as I am able to do with the time and money that is given. 

I want to work in a field that allows me to create and do more than is expected.  I feel that I will be prepared for the tasks that are required of me because of my education and inherited motivation.  My family has a strong work ethic and moral values.  These are gifts that I am able to work with and go beyond the limits of what is typical or expected of an employee.  I will make my employer proud of have much to offer and I am very persistent.  For me, it is very important to reach my goals in life and I believe that this article gives an outline of what is expected of someone like myself.  Also, my employer will not be disappointed because they will ask me to work harder, or be more creative, or more persistent so that I can achieve their goals.  I feel that this article allows me some insight into the future so that I know what will be expected of me in the future.  I watch my family work hard and reinvent themselves every day because of the changes that the computers and Internet have brought to my parent’s generation.  They have adapted or they would lose their jobs.  The students of today must also adapt and be better for future positions in life.

12A

Why Liberal Arts?

A Liberal Arts Education sets up a foundation for most of the majors and include various schools of interest.  These classes allow the student to study a variety of subjects so that they are knowledgeable in a variety of subject content.  It prepares the college or university student for a more rigorous study in their major subject.  The courses allow a student to think and write effectively.  These classes teach a student to think critically and to form an opinion.   They teach a student how to evaluate an argument and to think rationally.  Students can learn to appreciate beauty and other forms of artistic expression.  Liberal Arts has roots at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, where colonial clergymen established a college to preserve the tradition of European liberal education in the New World.  In politics, liberal means open, free and progressive.  

Southern Connecticut State University began as one of the Teacher’s Colleges of Connecticut.  I am self-reflecting how I am doing in my classes and made my schedule for next semester by having a solid, broad base by taking different classes that I would not normally choose.  They open up the student to new experiences and thought processes.  A liberal arts class can broaden the student’s knowledge in a subject and possibly even create a new avenue for them on their path to getting a degree.  There are many pros and cons of taking new classes.  A negative would be a lack of interest in the course so one may not do as well.  A positive would be that Southern wants students to explore different majors and have a wide range of knowledge that allows for both personal and academic growth.

“Which is why the goal of education today, argues Wagner, should not be to make every child “college ready” but “innovation ready” — ready to add value to whatever they do.”  (Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/31/opinion/sunday/friedman-need-a-job-invent-it.html?_r=2&)  After a student graduates, it is important to have the basic knowledge, but more than that, Wagner feels that the student must be motivated.  They must also be curious and persistent and create opportunities for themselves.  This is a difficult task for many students because many students want to obtain a college degree, but do not have motivation.  According to Wagner, if one has the motivation and the basics, they will then have success.  But he also feels this will only happen if we make changes to our educational system.

11I

#3. Go to the Health Center and get some information on a common health problem faced by college students (i.e. stress, eating disorders, sexual health). Post info, answers to inquiry questions, and a photo on your blog.

(Link: http://www.southernct.edu/student-life/health/wellness/index.html/)

The Granoff Student Health Center is located on the Southern Connecticut State University campus.  It is on Wintergreen Avenue near university residence halls and across the street from Moore Fieldhouse.  The academic year hours are Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. until 4:30 P.M.

The professional staff members at Southern are always available for medical needs with students, as well as making positive health care decisions.  They usually advise students to make appointments for all visits.

Southern’s Granoff Student Health Services has a physician and nurses to help all students all year round.  There are HIV/STI counseling and testing held here also.  This was the first time I have been to Southern’s health center to obtain information and it was very helpful.  Now I know where to go if I am sick.

A common problem that college students face is getting sick with a common cold or the flu because germs spread easily through colleges.  Students touch a lot of different door knobs and buildings, and after they touch all these things they touch their nose and eyes, which spreads quickly into their system.

This time of the year especially is when people tend to catch a cold.  Even the public restrooms may spread germs.  I am generally very healthy all of the time, but now know where I can get help if I do catch a cold.