Lecture 24: Online Class

Photo by Jessica Laccetti.

Today is your opportunity to work on your Wikipedia assignment! Take this time to add to your stub. Remember, you need to write 300-600 words AND, since this assignment is also part of your e-portfolio, you need to follow those guidelines.

As a reminder, the Wikipedia assignment is here and the e-portfolio assignment is here and the rubric is here.

Science Article Assignment

This week in labs you will be given the Science Article Assignment and you will have the duration of the lab to discussion the options with the TA. By the end of the lab, you will let your TA know which option you will be doing.

You can always check the google doc of the assignment too.

Note: Sometimes the google doc seems to have some issues with Option 1. So here is a google doc JUST of Option 1:.

Remember there are four options, you just need to pick one.

Some Requirements:

Due: Friday, November 18th, 17:00;
Length: 750-1250 words;
Format: Memorandum (single-spaced text; double-spaced between headings and paragraphs);
Publication: Via E-mail to Dr. Laccetti (laccettiATualberta.ca) AND to your TA;

Module 5: Labs

This week in the lectures we are focussing on ways to disseminate our research. In the labs, we'll get to practise two main ways. We'll be making a poster (from a science article) and we'll then have to present that poster. The latter will be graded by the TAs in class.

Here is the rubric for the poster presentation you'll give at the end of the lab. Take a look so you'll have an idea of what you need to include in your poster: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CTk9FMWoEhSrMEeauMfjEYgcLU5Vl7L-GYORVj4Xq08/edit?hl=en_US



Also have a read of this reference guide to creating posters: http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/NewSite/documents/QuickReferenceV3.pdf



Colin Purrington has this useful template for a poster that you might want to follow:

Here are some examples of how NOT to design a poster:

Image from here: http://www.bio.miami.edu/ktosney/file/Bad8X10.pdf

Module 4 Labs: Pecha Kucha

What is Pecha Kucha?

Pecha Kucha event is one in which a number of presenters share their ideas within the course of an evening. It follows a 20 x 20 format. Each presenter is allowed 20 slides (shown on a programme such as Powerpoint), each shown for 20 seconds each. This results in a total presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds on a stage before the next presenter is up. The idea is to keep presentations concise and interest level high.

The word Pecha Kucha (pronounced peCHAtchka) comes from the Japanese word for “chit-chat” and was invented by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham in Tokyo. It has recently spread to the business world, and has now gained interest in the world of English Language Teaching.

As you'll see from the syllabus, this week's labs will require you to practise public speaking in a Pecha Kucha style! Now, you won't be expected to speak for 6 minutes OR to have 20 slides prepared. This is just how it is was originally done - so you have some background. We are just going to build on the idea that there are slides running on a powerpoint and you have to talk for a very limited time. Your TAs will have all the information for you and I will look forward to hearing about the fun you had (and of course, I'll hope for pictures).

Here is an example of a Pecha Kucha presentation:

And another Pecha Kucha presentation on the universe:

Module 3: Facebook for Business

Students, as a comment to this post, leave a link to your blog with your flickr photo of your professional Facebook profile.

In the words of fellow student Jenny Brown, this is what the assignment requires:

1) "Create a page" on my existing Facebook profile that is like an e-Resume 2) Take a 'print screen' picture of the page with the basic information wall showing
3) Save this photo in Flickr and post it on my blog
4) Write 2-4 paragraphs on my blog pertaining to my facebook page
5) Post a link on the class blog that connects you to my blog post with the flickr photo

Remember, this assignment forms PART of the e-portfolio and as such, needs to follow those guidelines:

At the end of the term, you will have written at least five blog posts.  In each blog post (EXCEPT the first Introductory post) you must:

1. Include at least one image
2. Include at least one external link (somewhere out in the WWW)
3. Include at least one reference to a fellow student’s blog post (you must link to the post, i.e. internal link)
4. Be on topic (i.e. related to our class work).
5. Each blog post should be at least two paragraphs but no more than four.

Additionally, throughout the term you must comment on at least five blog posts written by fellow students in this class. You can find links to the students’ blogs on the class blog, under the Module 2 blog post (http://ales-204.blogspot.com/2011/09/module-2-science-journalism-online.html#comments). Comments, like all the writing and interaction in this class, must remain appropriate in level (writing style, mechanics and punctuation) and collegiality.  In your final blog post for this project you will need to include links to the five (or more) comments you made.

Additionally, here is a rubric for the profile itself:

You can also watch this video on how to use the print screen command to take a screen capture of your Facebook  page/profile.


Information on how to upload images to flickr can be found on flickr help but here are the basics for uploading:

How do I upload my photos?

We provide a range of uploading tools for both Windows and Mac that will help you get your photos on Flickr.

You can also email your photos to your Flickr account. You have your own unique email address that you can use to add your photos to your Flickr photostream or to upload photos to your Flickr photostream AND automatically post them to your blog. Configure your email upload settings here.

If you'd rather not install our tools, you can use a web form to upload on the upload page. To use this form, look in the navigation menu at the top of the page under "You."

Facebook Page/Profile Assignment in Angie's Words

View more presentations from Jessica Laccetti.

 This article will be of interest, "12 Ways to Use Facebook Professionally"

Note: Image from Gigaom

Lab: Location and Timing Changes!

To give students more opportunity to put into practise what we talk about in the lectures, we are going to have labs in computer rooms for the remainder of term. From MODULE 3 (that is, the week starting 19th of September) you will be in a computer room for your lab session.

Please look carefully to see where you are going and at what time, some of the labs start a little later or end a little earlier:

Mondays: 2-4pm ECHA L1-250 (no availability on Sept 26) http://www.labs.ualberta.ca/locations/lab.html?building=108&lab=L1-250
(Lab section D1 and D2 are combined!)

Tuesdays:


The CSL LAB STAYS THE SAME


(Lab section D3) Lab 1: 2-3pm - CAB 341 http://www.labs.ualberta.ca/locations/lab.html?building=51&lab=341

(Lab section D4) Lab 2: 2:30-4:00 Sept 13 & 20 and then 2-4pm for Sept 27 - Nov 23 --in CAB 331 http://www.labs.ualberta.ca/locations/lab.html?building=51&lab=331 

Wednesdays:
(Lab section D5 & D6 are combined!) ECHA L1-250

Thursdays - 40 students, 2 labs sections combined (Lab section D7 & D8 are combined)  in ECHA L1-270 for all Thursdays http://www.labs.ualberta.ca/locations/lab.html?building=108&lab=L1-270 except Sept. 15- on that day you will be in the Big 120 station lab L1-350 (http://www.labs.ualberta.ca/locations/lab.html?building=108&lab=L1-350)

TA: Kaustav

Hello all,

I am Kaustav, a 3rd Year PhD student. I am working in the area of food science and technology and my interest is developing functional foods for the treatment and management of cardiovascular diseases.

I am from Kolkata, India and had completed my bachelor of technology from India in biotechnology with a specialization in bioinformatics.

I am really excited to be a part of this course and hope it would be a great learning experiences for all of you.

Join twitter and follow me @iJoykaustav

TA: Pamela Bentley

Greetings!

My name is Pamela Bentley. I am a 2nd year PhD student working in Animal Science.

I am originally from Vermont, where I completed my Bachelors in Biology and a Masters in Animal Science.

My research interests include: Molecular biology, photoperiod, circadian rhythms, and cancer.

You can find out more about me at about.me/Bentley.Pamela

I think this course is going to be a great learning experience and I hope you all enjoy it.

TA: Obioha (Obi) Durunna

Obi was born in Nigeria where he completed his undergraduate degree in Animal Science and Technology from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria. He proceeded to University of Manitoba in 2004 for his MSc degree. While at the U of M, he worked as a facilitator with the International Centre for Students (ICS), helping international students to acclimate to the Canadian environment. He also worked as a Teaching Assistant in several courses while pursuing his Masters degree. He joined the AFNS in 2007 where he served as a GSA councilor for the department. He had also been part of the ALES204 team since then. Obi also assists Action for Healthy Communities Edmonton (AFHC) in training their facilitators as well as conducting cross-cultural workshops in several high schools in Edmonton. He just completed his PhD program in Statistical Genomics.

TA: Courtney Hughes

Hello All!

My name is Courtney Hughes and I am one of the lab TA's for this course. I am very excited to be part of the CSL family and look forward to the semester ahead!

Here's a bit about me, so we can begin to get to know each other:

I hold a Master's degree in Environmental Education, where my research was conducted in Namibia with cheetahs at the Cheetah Conservation Fund. I explored the lived experiences of children (and to some extent adults) who visited CCF and participated in their educational programs on cheetah conservation. I also conducted a content analysis of the CCF's curriculum materials. In addition to this, and appeasing my BSc degree in natural science, I assisted with cheetah and leopard field captures and exams, releases of rehabilitated cats, camera trapping and analysis, and tending to the goats and guarding dogs on site.

So, as I've mentioned, I also hold a BSc in natural science and I am a certified teacher, with a BEd in science education. I taught in the formal school system, grade eights mostly (ack!) for three years and loved it; prior to this, I was the Director of a non-profit science, engineering and technology camp and outreach program for children and youth. All this as done at Lakehead University, Thunder Bay ON.

When I moved to Alberta I began my career at Inside Education, an NGO dedicated to environmental education in schools and for teachers; I then moved onto Alberta Environment where I am still employed as a Program Coordinator. My work is very diverse, ranging from the climate change file through to monitoring, evaluation and reporting. Most recently I have begun working on social science-related issues in environmental management, including social network analysis, which is very interesting.

In addition to working at AENV, I have also been a course Instructor in the Faculty of Elementary Education, in Science Curriculum and Instruction. Furthermore I am pursuing my PhD (second year, yay!) in Conservation Biology, where I am interested in using the social science to understand and find possible solutions to grizzly bear conservation in the province. My supervisor is Dr Scott Nielsen.

I love to travel and have been to four different African countries, a host of western Caribbean countries and throughout some of North America and Europe. I currently volunteer with my local Rotary District, where I lead the development and implementation of the national Science Curriculum for Belize, as well as teacher PD on science education. I love it!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share. I have an office in Education North, #330 and I am available by appointment Tuesday and Thursday before 12pm and after 2pm, generally speaking. Email is also great to contact me, and I tend ot answer quickly.

Looking forward to this co-learning experience!

Thanks! :)

TA: Marie-Claude (MC)

Hello!

My name is Marie-Claude (MC). I'm from Québec city and I graduated from McGill University in Applied Zoology.

I'm currently a PhD student working on wetland reclamation in the oil sands in Fort-McMurray, Alberta.

I also volunteer with the organization Dog With Wings as a puppy raiser. I'm currently taking care of 11 ten day old puppies who will be guide dog!

I'm looking forward to meeting you!