#accessfoundationprogramme

[murrayaston]

Week 9: What are the steps I need to complete to successfully complete a CAO application.

                                        Firstly, this is the second step of a double edged sword for me. Being as that my Christmas exams are held in January, and this due 1st February, the most important thing is to complete my research into 20 subjects I must apply for next year. Will I even have 20?

  Step 1: Research Time.

  I am although at an advantage. I am looking to apply for DT546 BA Fine Art, to pursue my existing burning desire to create. Artsy I know, but...

  The steps after the research is the easy bit. Lets face it, applying to anything online these days is. Sites look for everything to posses, then later feed it back to you in a series of unwanted emails. Why should the CAO be any different. Aahh... But it is.

 The seriousness of this step is not to be underestimated. Nobody wants to become that urban legend that lecturers repeat to students year in year out. 

Step 2: Quiet & Calm.

Murray Aston                                            Word count: 162

[murrayaston]

Week 6: Theories of Intelligence. What have I learned about 'intelligence'?

                       Where is my soul?

What is my soul?

  One theory of Intelligence is Pedagogy. This is a way of teaching how to learn. Intelligence is shaped by what your environment is.

  Whether Charles Spearman, Louis Thurstone or Howard Gardner, each have believed at one time or another in the mental abilities or general intelligence's. Gardner believing that all people hold a least 8 basic Intelligences. 

  I reckon finding my 'G factor' works on two levels,

Metaphysical

Physical

  Metaphysical being the word fluency, perceptual speed and reasoning of Thurstone's primary mental abilities theory, to Gardner and the 8 theories of multiple intelligences.

Physical, Newton's third law;

'For every action there is an equal or positive reaction.'

  By this I mean, thinking and doing and in my case 'education'.

  So, what have I learned about intelligence and the bigger question being, am I any smarter? 

  Smarter, yes! I believe everyday we become just that little bit smarter because if not, how do we even exist.

  What have I learnt. How to understand to be intelligent. Next step though is to put the theories to the test. Watch this space... 

Murray Aston                                            Word count: 187

[murrayaston]

Week 5: Note Taking and Effective Reading

  Note taking and effective reading for me are hugely important  as I find it works as a repetition process to kick-start my brain. I tend to break down the  note taking into a couple of main points. When I reflect on the work that I have learnt in class I look at the  Introduction and conclusion. I try to gather as much information from memory as I possible can pertaining to the body that I have heard in class to form the basic key ideas that I have remembered.

  Visually I try to asterix key components of the class work, such as homework or assignment dates. I also try to bold, highlight or underline the principle topics that I feel I should remember. Numbering is also useful although I usually bulletpoint as opposed the number important dates of figures.

  When I read effectively I employ the technique of general reading first, secondly I read it to understand and thirdly I revision read. This technique does work but at times it is a little harder to put into practice. I find sometimes reading out loud and acting out the material helps me understand and remember it.

                       Question: What are the 3 keys of reading?

Murray Aston                                            Word count: 204