ARP, ARP, ARP, ARP, ARP

Today, I took my Final. It was not hard; it was actually pretty easy. I finished my test and then began working on my ARP.

I worked on my ARP today in class. I only need the observation section to complete the Result section.

The Light is almost here . . .

I have been working on my ARP for the past couple of hours. My eyes hurt, my head hurts, my fingers hurt, MY BRAIN HURTS!!!

In the past five days, I have slept less than 10 hours. I need to continue working on my work.

I Lied!!!

I had planned to work on my ARP this weekend but was unable to work on it this weekend because I was completeing my internship project.

ARP Organized!!!

I was working on the organization of my ARP yesterday. After speaking to P38* about how my information should be organized, I realized the time consuming that this paper is going to take. Yet, I am looking forward to working on my paper.

I began to work on the organization and structure of my Result section. The interview, the first sub-section, is a white-fast-write. I am going to have to go over it and edit the work, of course. I know that I am going to have to work on it more. After speaking to P38*, P38* gave me an excellent idea on how to organize this sub-section. I am planning to organize the work as I was suggested; if I realize that it doesn’t work for me, and then I will just have to figure out something else.

The second sub-section, Surveys, is the most developed one, in my opinion. After closing the survey, I took the student’s answers and inputted them into a chart in Microsoft Word. Each chart result is explained and one chart easily leads to the next, just as I intended in the survey. Yet, I think that I am going to have to go back to this sub-section though. Although this section is the most developed, this section can easily be read alone. I do not see any type of connection before and after this section is inputted into my ARP. I am going to have to work on this section.

The final sub-section, Observation, is also a white-fast-write. I observed four tutors and tutees in the University Writing Center. This sub-section is going to be the most difficult, due to the fact that there were many observations. Nonetheless, I am going to work on this section and develop it well. I am thinking about putting my observation in a bullet-list. I think it will be easier to read and will not be repetitive to the Discussion section, the next section of my ARP.

411 to the Project!!!

Well, I have completed, what I considered, the three most difficult sections for my research paper – Interview, Surveys, and Observations – and I am inserting them into my Academic Research Paper (ARP).

I have to admit, I have not dedicated much time on my ARP!! I think that the basic reason to this procrastination is the fact that I know that I have completed almost each section. All I really need to do is gather all the information that I collected and make everything “smooth.” I do not think that it should be too difficult, then again, why am I procrastinating it?

I guess that, now, I do not have any excuse to finish my ARP this weekend. I know that the deadline is approaching. Hence, I intend to work on it more throughout this week. In the end, that paper must look immaculate. Otherwise, I am going to fail the course. Just kidding . . . . . . I hope.

Interesting Links

Here are some links that I have found interesting. Either check them out now or wait a couple of day for a reflection about the sites.

• http://juantornoe.blogs.com/hispanictrending/hispanic_education/page/2/
• http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/07/language_debate_a_proxy_for_im.html
• http://www.alliance.brown.edu/pubs/Defining_Success.pdf
• http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED333746&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED333746
• http://jaie.asu.edu/v40/V40I3BR1.pdf
• http://www.apples4theteacher.com/resources/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&catid=&topic=3
• http://www.edarticle.com/esl/
• http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/Lang_Arts/resources/41_ESOL_strategoes.htm
• http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-esl.htm
• http://iowaindependent.com/8824/big-increase-in-number-of-iowa-esl-students
• http://www.startribune.com/local/north/37184109.html?elr=KArks:DCiUMcyaL_nDaycUiacyKUnciatkEP7DhUr

Observation Exercise

After being pushed by Aileen to ask Dr. K if we could observe his students, we walked into Ken 2NN. Tables were laid around the room, forming a square, chairs were placed behind the tables and several seats were empty. Dr. K had his bag and several papers lay out in his table. I decided to go to this classroom with Dr. K in order to observe how much students actually pay attention in Dr. K’s office.

After walking in Ken 2NN, Aileen and I quickly walked to the center of the room and sat in the far left of the table. I decided to sit in the center of the room in order to (a)be able to hear noises coming from each angel of the room (b) have the opportunity of smelling different scents as I walked in and out of the classroom (c) be able to see different facial expressions, hand movements. During the observation, I was very objective. I did not speak nor did I make a noise. I wished to capture as much as possible while remaining silent. So, as I remained silence in Dr. K’s classroom, my only resource was a paper, a pen and my five senses. Each note that I took was taken in bullet points, in the back of a paper, going green.

As I walked into the room, I observed how each individual raised their heads and looked at me; they were observing me also. Dr. K was calling out names, chairs scratched in the floor, footsteps, and the grabbing of a paper was also heard. Names continued to be called and repetitive sounds continued to be heard. After Dr. K finished calling out names, several students were observing their paper. Dr. K was returning each student an exam. Several students had their head down, as if disappointed; several students were discussing their answers; several students just placed the paper in the table and began to speak about a topic not related to school.

Every visit in my library..........

Well, I went to the University's Library and noticed how there is not a large selection about NNES books. I searched anything that was related to ESL or ESOL students and facts. What I found was a large selection on how easy ways to help and ESOL. This is not what I need, so I decided not to check any out.

After my disillusion with my results from the library, I decided to check on-line. Again, I realized that ESL and ESOL is not a topic that many individuals have developed. What I found was extremely basic.

This can really be detrimental to my research paper since some information that I need is not really available to the public. I do not know where to search. Does anyone have any suggestions?

My Research will go on........

After completing my interview practice, I have noticed that I can really get a lot of information, information that will be necessary for my research project.

Still, I think that I will not be interviewing anyone right now. I want to find enough research about my topic and then seek people who can support, explain or even given me their opinions about certain information that I would find.

Well, now, that my research has been approved by Dr. Dvorak, I will continue my research. I was searching on St. Thomas University’s library catalog and saw some books that seem not only interesting but can also be useful for my research. Obviously, every time I go to the library, I always find more books that catch my attention. Basically, I will head to the library tomorrow in order to find books that will help my project.

Report of R21, after Interview

I have just completed my interview with R21*. The interview began at 11:10am on Thursday, February 5th 2009. It lasted for about 20 minutes in the University Writing Center (KEN 209-b).

R21 shared many interesting things about his life with me within the interview. I asked several questions that I found essential for my project and they were all answered kindly by him. I learned many interesting things about his life that I didn’t think that I would have known on this interview.

R21 gave me his point of view living in two different places, Cuba and Florida. Each memory that was stated in the interview was said with lots of joy. Additionally, R21 gave me lots of information about his childhood while living in Cuba and while living in Florida.

One of his most fund memories was discovering his passion for science. R21 gave me detailed information on what he enjoyed and why he enjoyed it. “There is more out there than what we can comprehend,” R21 stated as he spoke about this fascination towards science.
Another fund memory was discovering his love for tennis. R21 also gave me detailed information about this topic, since it was also a major part of his development as a child. “I have gotten injured many times but hey, I love it,” R21 stated as he spoke about his fascination towards tennis.

*R21 is not the real name.

Brief Explanation about Research

I am interested in conducting this research on Saint Thomas because its primary learning language is English. Thus, all classes, including foreign language classes, are taught using the English language. As a result of Saint Thomas University being a wide diversity of different languages, cultures, customs and individuals, there are several students who did not learn English as a first language and there are several students who, unfortunately, have difficulty with the English language.

By conducting varies research, one will be able to observe if the fact of not having learned English as a first language creates academic conflict in Saint Thomas University. If this project were to result positive, not having learned English as a first language, this could be something serious. A certain percentage of those who enroll to Saint Thomas University are not Native English Speakers (NES), hence only a certain percentage of those enrolled will successfully pass their courses. This could be detrimental to the academic achievement of a student.

Research Proposal

I changed my Topic for the Research Proposal. I will probably change it again but for now my title to my Research Topic is......

*** Saint Thomas University's academic conflict between the English language and other languages.

The title might seem a little confusing, but, I think, that it becomes a bit clearer in the next blog.

Nelson's Reaction

As a human tendency, teachers expect the best from their students, especially when a professor takes the time to lead a student to this "perfection." One of the things that go wrong in the academic research paper is the way that several students do their work or how students do not do their work.
Today, the one thing that students do not have enough of is time. We just have many things to do and as a result, we really do not mangae our time wisely. I really wouldn't like to blame professors, because many tend to put so much work as if we have nothing to do, but I do think that they do have some blame. Anyway, since we barely have time to do anything, many students just tend to get some quotes from the internet and connect them all by adding some personal words. I personally do this often.