My ILP has been submitted, and now the fear has started to set in that I could have done better. Of course, I can alter it again and again. I will wait until Sarah gets back to me.
Today is going to be a long day at work and I have also just found out that I will be working every Wednesday in October. This has caused a big problem for me, taking into consideration the amount of students I have taken on privately and the exams. But I had originally said that I could come in those days and help out, so now I have to make a new schedule for all of October. The money does come in handy though, because we want to go to London in November for two days to see IAMX (a band I really like) and a lot of friends. So, fingers crossed it all works out.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
0003
I have finished, proof-read, double-checked and submitted my ILP. Not that it really needed all that attention, but I'm a perfectionist (in theory).
I feel so glad it is done, and now, looking back at it, it was a good start to the course. I really did take my time with it; I didn't start it right away, but took several steps:
- read it several times
- made notes and 'first-things-that-come-to-mind' lists
- considered it
- talked about it
and then wrote the whole thing up.
I'm pleased with it and we shall see how my LF sees it. I can't wait to get started!
But now it is time to get dressed, do my hair and get to work. I shall study some more for my exams on the train!
I feel so glad it is done, and now, looking back at it, it was a good start to the course. I really did take my time with it; I didn't start it right away, but took several steps:
- read it several times
- made notes and 'first-things-that-come-to-mind' lists
- considered it
- talked about it
and then wrote the whole thing up.
I'm pleased with it and we shall see how my LF sees it. I can't wait to get started!
But now it is time to get dressed, do my hair and get to work. I shall study some more for my exams on the train!
0002
The course has been going for a bit over a week now and I have gotten used to the website, First Class and finally talked to Sarah, my Learning Facilitator yesterday.
A few things still need to be done this week:
- I need to finish the ILP:
I'm having a hard time with it, because I don't really know what it required of me at this stage. I have finished filling in the How I Will Approach This bit, but only in noted. I have no clue if we should just submit it in notes-style (considering Sarah said yesterday that it is mainly for myself and I will find myself changing it and developing it during the Learning Activities), or in full sentences.
Also, I know myself and I always struggle with a concrete plan. I like to leave my options open, but I also need to realize that I can obviously change my ILP regardless of what I submitted.
- I need to send in my Tuition Fee Grant form:
Today I will send it to ARU/Ultralab and then I need to send it on to Student Finance Direct asap. The deadline is Dec. 1st.
I also think that my student account with ARU won't work until they have seen and stamped my form. I hope SFD EU Team is quick to process my application.
- I need to study for my regular exams. Enough said on that in here.
- I need to get a better at time management:
I have realized that I work a little bit too much. I need to learn how to use my time correctly. Over the next few weeks I will mainly focus on my Humboldt University exams, but at least right after those exams I want to designate my days to only one thing. Say, Mondays and Fridays I work at Lernwerk. The mornings can be used for general work and some revision. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays I teach privately. I only want to use the mornings for Ultraversity work when I don't have to go to normal university, which is on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The weekends are reserved for at least one whole day off (which can be spread over two days, I assume).
A few things still need to be done this week:
- I need to finish the ILP:
I'm having a hard time with it, because I don't really know what it required of me at this stage. I have finished filling in the How I Will Approach This bit, but only in noted. I have no clue if we should just submit it in notes-style (considering Sarah said yesterday that it is mainly for myself and I will find myself changing it and developing it during the Learning Activities), or in full sentences.
Also, I know myself and I always struggle with a concrete plan. I like to leave my options open, but I also need to realize that I can obviously change my ILP regardless of what I submitted.
- I need to send in my Tuition Fee Grant form:
Today I will send it to ARU/Ultralab and then I need to send it on to Student Finance Direct asap. The deadline is Dec. 1st.
I also think that my student account with ARU won't work until they have seen and stamped my form. I hope SFD EU Team is quick to process my application.
- I need to study for my regular exams. Enough said on that in here.
- I need to get a better at time management:
I have realized that I work a little bit too much. I need to learn how to use my time correctly. Over the next few weeks I will mainly focus on my Humboldt University exams, but at least right after those exams I want to designate my days to only one thing. Say, Mondays and Fridays I work at Lernwerk. The mornings can be used for general work and some revision. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays I teach privately. I only want to use the mornings for Ultraversity work when I don't have to go to normal university, which is on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The weekends are reserved for at least one whole day off (which can be spread over two days, I assume).
Friday, September 22, 2006
0001
Yesterday I completed my registration with the Ultraversity and I'm now fully enrolled on the BA(Hons) Learning, Technology and Research degree.
I created this blog exclusively for the degree. This will be my opportunity to reflect on my learning, note down ideas and simply let of some steam.
The first thing I had to do was log into the researchers' area and look at the to-do list. So far, this one is easy enough; including the introduction to Firefox and the instruction to download it. Luckily, I'm very aware of the advantages of Firefox and, even though I'm using Safari for my regular net use, I'm happy to use the application.
Secondly, we had to download an application called First Class. After running into inital problems, like not being able to log in, I got it up and running. I love the idea of an interface like this. Not only does it provide you with your own ultraversity mailbox, it's also a great place to meet the people on your own cohert (this is the group of students who start the degree at the same time as you- your fellow researchers) and the entire Ultraversity.
I still need to look into it even more, but so far, First Class is great. I mean, who wouldn't like to travel that way? ;)
--> Reflection: The problem incurred while trying to log in, was solved by (my non-existent) patience. It appears you need to get an e-mail from the Learning Facilitator (or, your personal tutor) before you can log in.
I decided to wait a while after getting the annoying error message that my username and/or password is wrong- and it helped. When I got home from work, my LF Sarah had emailed me and I could log in without any problems.
--> Anything else I learned from this? Apart from learning a new programme/application: Not really. I'm fairly good with my computer and knew what I was doing (downloading, setting up the server).
My next steps are going to be:
- Talking to my LF Sarah on the phone. Maybe today, maybe on Monday. I emailed her times I will be available.
- Working on my Individual Learning Plan (ILP). I have had a good look at it already, now it is time to 'add my flavour'.
I created this blog exclusively for the degree. This will be my opportunity to reflect on my learning, note down ideas and simply let of some steam.
The first thing I had to do was log into the researchers' area and look at the to-do list. So far, this one is easy enough; including the introduction to Firefox and the instruction to download it. Luckily, I'm very aware of the advantages of Firefox and, even though I'm using Safari for my regular net use, I'm happy to use the application.
Secondly, we had to download an application called First Class. After running into inital problems, like not being able to log in, I got it up and running. I love the idea of an interface like this. Not only does it provide you with your own ultraversity mailbox, it's also a great place to meet the people on your own cohert (this is the group of students who start the degree at the same time as you- your fellow researchers) and the entire Ultraversity.
I still need to look into it even more, but so far, First Class is great. I mean, who wouldn't like to travel that way? ;)
--> Reflection: The problem incurred while trying to log in, was solved by (my non-existent) patience. It appears you need to get an e-mail from the Learning Facilitator (or, your personal tutor) before you can log in.
I decided to wait a while after getting the annoying error message that my username and/or password is wrong- and it helped. When I got home from work, my LF Sarah had emailed me and I could log in without any problems.
--> Anything else I learned from this? Apart from learning a new programme/application: Not really. I'm fairly good with my computer and knew what I was doing (downloading, setting up the server).
My next steps are going to be:
- Talking to my LF Sarah on the phone. Maybe today, maybe on Monday. I emailed her times I will be available.
- Working on my Individual Learning Plan (ILP). I have had a good look at it already, now it is time to 'add my flavour'.
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