Note: if this link busts it's on eCampus.

Many dyslexic children also have problems comprehending the vocabulary and symbols used in mathematics. It is also a common problem that these children will be confused with math symbols that look similar. Likewise, they often reverse numbers, which lead to errors when performing simple calculations and arithmetic.

Despite facing the above mentioned difficulties, a dyslexic child could further improve in math/s if he/she begins to feel more confidence about it and enjoys the process of learning math/s. Below are some strategies parents and teachers could apply:

Set up a specific time to do math together

Sit down with the child to help him with math homework/assignment.

Build a connection between math and his/her daily living

Using examples of math from bills and home repair projects can show the child the relevant role that math plays in a grown-up world.

Learning math/s in fun ways using

Snacks i.e. candies, m&ms can be used to add or subtract parts.

Games that involve math concepts e.g Board games, computer/online games.

Online Tutoring lessons that combine fun math games with personalized instruction so that the child get to have fun and lots of extra help with math.

Individualized Independent activity sheet

Prepare appropriate individualized independent activity sheet for the child that allows him to succeed at every attempt of working on the math questions.

Help the child to discover his/her own error

Help the child to discover any errors by saying, “Why don’t you check that one again?”

The math children use in school is just a formal application of all kinds of daily experiences. A dyslexic child who struggles with math at school doesn't need constant drilling of specific problem. He/She needs varied experiences that allow him/her to work with numbers in a hands-on and fun ways. When the math/s concepts have been woven into his/her perspective, he/she'll be better equipped to handle the formal arithmetic encounters in the classroom and his daily living.

To help a dyslexic child improve in his math/s, we must first look into the reasons for this problem.

One of the difficulties a dyslexic child experience is with sequencing.

It is important to help the child learn his/her basic 1-100 systematically. Providing a hands-on experience by using a variety of physical objects and real scenarios (e.g. counting guests) to demonstrate numbers visually will enhance the child’s interest in math/s. The following steps are recommended:

1. Lay out 100 blocks, with 10 blocks on each line, practice counting from 1 to 100 e.g. 1,2,..99, 100
2. Lay out 100 blocks in group of tens, practice counting from 10 to 100 e.g. 10, 20..90,100.
3. Arrange the blocks in group of fives, practice counting from 5 to 100 e.g. 5,10, ..95, 100.
4. Count backwards, starting from 10 down to 0 e.g. 10, 9, ..0, and working up to 100 down to 0.e.g. 100, 99, …2,1,0 (practice daily until he/she can count backward fluently)

It’s important first to build a solid foundation on the child’s basic math/s and then build other concepts on top of it. Always remember to keep reviewing and never assume that the child knows everything.

Below was my observation of a 8 years old child that I helped to breakthrough with her sequencing concept. I hope this will encourage us to KEEP reviewing with our children until they breakthrough. It is definite a slow but sure process.

Observation on Counting Backwards

CY was able to count to 100 with some guidance especially where there is a change of tens. After few rounds of counting verbally while putting the blocks, CY was able to count 1-100 quite fluently.

Counting backward was a great struggle. She got stuck many times. We did a few rounds of you say and i say - 'tell me the number before'. When she began to feel more confidence, we tried saying the backward numbers again, but this time I encouraged her to remove the block one at a time as she said the number.

I noticed that she still mix up some numbers. But she is now more confidence and and say the number more fluently.

After a few sessions repeating the above counting, I noticed CY was able to complete her counting backwards activity easily.

  Edison was a genius but his problem solving skills are still not perfect. Although he did create many good inventions his techniques were most about trial and error. As Edison said " One percent inspiration, Ninety-nine percent perspiration." He relied heavy on the explorer and the warrior. This was his greatest flaw. Because he could not effectively judge his invents with an objective viewpoint. it could also be argued that he was uninventive in his invention because he could not visualise a better solution; he had to try and try again to come up with the best solution.

OK I must admit that at least the last one was a hell of a lot more interesting then the assignment I was given but theoretically there is nothing to stop one from working on a mundane writing assignment while watching pornography. It does distract one heavily but you can edit things for the final draft right? At least you can bang out a pre-draft. But I put it off for 2 weeks and now here we are 11 hours from the deadline, only perhaps 2 of which remain available to me to do the work in. No maybe I only have an hour from now actually there are all kinds of things that I.... uh... OK even for me this is pretty ridiculous. So I will indeed go ahead and bang it out with my ingenious poor writing skills and that will be that. After all, if you don't give a shit about the assignment then you are more than welcome to fail it right? I was probably just overthinking the whole thing when in reality I didn't give a shit. Hmm yeah I think it took me 10 minutes to write this but I was a bit distracted you know?

 I think out of the four hats, I believe Edison kind of fits in each of them. First he is an inventor for that you need to be an explorer and an artist. He was very imaginative in the things he used and invented. He used many data's to come to the right one. Then he became a businessman after his invention. He portrays himself as both a judge and a warrior during this time. During his inventions, he used his judge characteristics a lot. He didn't fool around with time. When he knew, he could make something he did it. His warrior characteristic showed during his businessman era. He fought through till the very end for what he believed in and to accomplish his dreams till the end. Even though his dreams were accomplished, he had to let go of his invention in the end to improve it.

I have been very impressed by how much LoTRO resembles both its relative book and movie. It feels great to be running around in this now seemingly real storybook world that I've read about and have seen portrayed in movies. I feel special, like I've been granted access to this world of illusions, and it's my new playground.

The story, so far, in the game seems fairly accurate as to what I remember from the book. The only thing that to me doesn't really relate are the side quests, i.e. killing so many animals for their pelts and destroying poisonous rose bushes. I'm not sure if those were put in to be entertaining or just a tedious task to earn a bit more silver and upgraded items.

I like the variations in graphics as we move from one version of the story to the next. The movie, obviously, has vivid, life-like images that beautifully and accurately portray the story in a well put together manner. The game's graphics aren't amazing, but they suffice and serve their purpose. I like the different races' character portrayals a lot. Now that I am reading the novel for the second time and having played the game and watched the movie, I find that my mental images of Middle Earth have changed in a way that blends both the game's graphics and the movie's images.

The action in the game so far seems a bit different from that in the movie in and book. As I mentioned earlier, the side quests like killing animals make me feel like I'm just playing another MMORPG rather than a game based on an epic story. I hope as I progress in the game that the story-line will be more clearly related to the novel and movie so that I can "immerse" (note: useage of one of our class's favorite words) myself in the tale.

Hello! Let me just begin this blog by saying that I am absolutely thrilled to have discovered yet another time sink. Lord of the Rings Online has been a blast so far. I am discovering new characters and places every time I delve into the gamesphere. It brings me back to my Star Wars Galaxies days. But I digress...

The point of this blog entry is to discuss the story development and other aspects of Lord of The Rings by comparing the narrative over two different mediums: motion picture and video game. The two mediums have very different approaches towards telling a story. The video game offers better immersion. You are a character in the story. You control the events. You choose where to go, what to do, and who to be. Whereas a movie offers a more linear path. You are watching someone else enact the story. I find this much less connecting, much less personal. When I was finished watching the first movie, all I wanted to do was scurry back to my dorm and log back on to Daggaroth so that I could feel like I was back in that world.

The Lord of The Rings movie does a fantastic job of telling the story. Yet, that is just it. It just tells the story. It leaves you wanting more. When you stop watching the movie, it is over, nothing can be changed about it. Whereas when I log off of Daggaroth and run to class, he is still there. The world is still there, still moving, and still changing.

The game lets you find the story on your own. It directs you, but does not push you to find your way. You can choose to learn as much about the lore as you want, or as little. This, to me, offers a much richer experience. The movie, however, does not let you control the story. This takes away so much immersion. Yes, the aesthetics of the movie may be better, but in the game you are planted in an open environment. You are acting with other characters, building a repetoire, and becoming part of the story.

The movie leaves me wanting more, but the game satisfies my desire. I am allowed to create my own story and learn other stories all whilst actually enacting and taking part in Tolkien's vision. Tokien's story becomes my story. The game lets me tell the story. It lets me decide what happens. It is an immersion buffet all for my taking.

It's very difficult to find a good balance between playing LOTRO and practicing the cello.  Still working on that.

I have thus far immensely enjoyed comparing LOTRO to the Lord of the Rings movie.  We are all familiar with the story of LotR; those who have not read the books have at least seen the movie or heard some kind of plot summary.  But I have found it very interesting to compare the LOTRO experience (it hasn't been very much so far, but I feel that I have some idea of what it's like) with the Lord of the Rings movie experience.

One of the things I (being a music geek) loved about the movie was, of course, hearing all of the different themes to accompany characters, places, stories, actions, almost everything.  One of my favorite things was how the makers had the music drop out completely during the enormous battle scenes; that was a really interesting effect.  Now it is true that the laptop I am using to play LOTRO is extremely loud, but I have not really noticed any compelling music thus far.  It is not a feature that would make or break the game for me, but I do hope to encounter more music in playing this game.

No matter how much I love the music, the way in which the story is developed is far more important.  The movie opens with hushed, passionate narration over dramatic images introducing secondary characters and background plot information.  It is a wonderful cinematic effect, but I must say it would absolutely not translate into a good game experience (for me, at least).  The game, on the other hand, has almost none of that.  After the player creates an avatar, that character (and therefore the player) is thrown right into action.  The backstory is, of course, not quite as important to a gamer as it is to a movie-goer.  All the player knows is that he/she is trying to defeat a mysterious evil group called the Blackwolds. It's very interesting for me to look at the differences between the storytelling of the two media; the game is, of course, completely interactive and therefore has the ability to give the player elements of the story as that player progresses.  The movie, however, must heave a truckload of backstory and miscellaneous information and introduction onto the viewer within the span of about ten minutes at the beginning.  Of course, the filmmakers somehow do this flawlessly.

In playing this game, I have also noticed something about myself.  I (would like to) think that I am becoming a more "mature" gamer rather than one of those "grinders."  I have been paying attention to all the missions and stories, not just rushing through in an attempt to get to the highest level in the shortest amount of time possible.  Comparing the game to the book and movie has, for me, reinforced the value of the fiction in games, even console games like The Legend of Zelda and Resident Evil 4 (even though LOTRO probably will have a better story).  And as an added benefit of knowing the story of these games, I am becoming a better gamer (I think).

“In the land of the Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a Master ring to control all others. And into this ring he poured his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life. One Ring to rule them all.“ With this line starts the famous interpretation of the even more famous novel The Lord of the Rings. The nominee for six academy awards, The Lord of the Rings movies introduce us to the intricate world of Middle Earth, its history and its people.

The One Ring, an artifact that carries all the might of the Dark Lord Sauron himself, lures people and controls their minds to get back to his master. However, the ring was found by a little hobbit, Bilbo, and was later recognized by a wizard, Gandalf the Grey. As the film goes on, the Fellowship of the Ring forms to destroy the Ring in the flaming magma of Mount Doom. Here begins the battle over the mighty ring. The film illustrates with a fancy style furious battles with great armies, people’s struggles over their identities (Boromir, who wanted the Ring for the glory of the Gondor, and Gollum, who was so obsessed with the ring that he lost self-identity), beautiful landscapes of Middle Earth and the culture of its people who occupy the land. However, the film lacks the participation of the viewers, as it shows the imaginations and understandings of the director based on the novel, and doesn’t provide a place for our own fantasies.

The LOTRO game has good graphics and a beautiful game space too. The storyline also remains almost the same as in the film, however, the crucial difference between the film and the game is that the LOTRO game is based on our thoughts and actions, and serves only as an environment where we put our own ways and create our own stories. The simple process of creating a character gives a great pleasure, as you create your own self; you can be a strong but short dwarf, a beautiful elf with long ears, or a representative of other races. When you have created your own self, you can travel along the same road like the main heroes of the novel did, completing entertaining quests, interacting with NPCs and players, and even creating your own fellowships (or kinships).

Both the LOTR movie and the LOTRO game have their own characteristics that make each of them special. In the 20^th Century people enjoyed reading the masterpiece of one of the genius minds of that time, J. R. R. Tolkien, but for us, who live in the 21^st Century, watching the movie and playing the game may be one of the best options available to enjoy the great story and to satisfy your fantasy.

            When a discussion about the movie and the game of Lord of the Rings (LOTR) comes up everyone always tries to compare the two and decide which one is better; better at narrating a story or better at immersing the audience in the fictional world of Middle Earth or better at any number of other aspects. I am of a different mind: Why can’t we all just get along? Neither media is better than the other but rather each has its distinctive pros and cons.

First let’s examine the movie: In Tolkien’s LOTR series he created a vast and detailed world for the reader to enter. Most of the audience for the movies already knew the plot for the books and had an expectation of what would occur in the movie. However, regardless of what they knew or expected to happen, the movies were in effect just a visual portrayal of what someone else imagined the LOTR’s tale to be like; that someone being the director. In that sense there was far more rigidity in the movie than any other media (ie book, game). We, as the audience, had no say in what happened, but rather we were ‘along for the ride’ so to speak as the director and actors took us through the story/plot. Getting this real-life sensory (visual and auditory) portrayal is both positive and negative. Positively, it gives us a greater sense of ‘real’ than if we just imagined what was occurring. A movie entails seeing actual people interact, being in actual environments (whether they be real places or CG backdrops is irrelevant) and hearing actual sounds. While these are nice and, more often than not, add to the experience of the stories development they can have the negative effect of taking away from our imagination and creative input to the story. For example, if you read the LOTRs books you may imagine a scene differently than what the movie forces you to see and if the difference is substantial it can detract from the enjoyment and even remove you from your immersion in the story all together.

Now let’s contrast what is said above about movies with LOTRO (Lord of the Rings Online). Game play excels where the movies lack. Although every game is by definition “fiction and rules” (Juuls), LOTRO is the same fictional Middle Earth of the movies and books but with fewer rules. By that I mean that the audience, or in this case the player, has far more control over the outcomes and the stories progression. Yes, you can only do what the rules of the game allow you to do but they allow you to have a huge say in what actions are taken. Loosely, you follow the plot of the ‘One Ring’ and the actions in the world of Tolkien’s Middle Earth but with far more available options and paths. For instance, as a character I don’t have to follow the path Frodo took to Mordor nor go join the battle for Helms Deep. Rather, I can walk from town to town leisurely or go hang out with other LOTRO players or if I choose do exactly as I previously mentioned. There is no agenda one has to follow. On the other hand, whereas in a movie perceives a real world the game is far less stimulating. Not to the point where one will not be immersed in the fictional reality but the graphics are not a life-like simulation, the sounds are limited to what the game can produce, and the action is limited to what the game allows the characters to emote – run, swim, fight, etc.

            So to sum up: The movie puts you in the passenger seat of a reality and the game give you control of fiction. However, do not get the wrong impression about what I mean by that. I am neither challenging nor proving the superiority of movies over games or vice versa, but rather, qualifying both as useful tools. They simply do different things. And is different really so bad? Honestly, why can’t we all just get along?

by: Sam F

Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO) creates a cave version of Tolkien’s “Middle Earth” alluded to by Mackenzie Wark in Gamer Theory 2.0 and displayed in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Critics to this belief could perhaps argue that both movie and game are idealist worlds of fantasy, as Middle Earth creates a realm beyond the human and racial limitations of our earthly scope. While Middle Earth does possess elements beyond our world, LOTRO the game creates an unrestricted domain with which to absorb aspects of its world. Peter Jackson’s representation of this world similarly portrays Middle Earth, but through a director’s eyes. The mise en scène is limited to the rectangle on which the film is being viewed. The dialogue is taken from a series of shots such as a master shot, which is the entire scene from one wide shot incorporating both actors. Another possibility is a series of “mid-shots,” which split the dialogue into individual pieces with specific characters, which includes dialogue shots over the listener’s shoulder while focusing on the speaker http://www.filmmakersnetwork.ie/forums/showthread.php?t=722. In a game like LOTRO, the viewpoints are infinite. This medium offers a panorama of angles with which to observe the characters.  Differing points of view offer a more vast visual experience for the movie, while the player guides his character on a personal adventure to his or her desired destination within the world.  

            The movie also differs from the game, as it is a broader plot experience. The game focuses on the player’s particular character whereas the movie focuses on various protagonists. The implication of “fellowship” in the title of Jackson’s film reveals on screen a story observing a group of protagonists. An observer may become attached to a particular character’s agon and feel they are lead protagonist, but the fellowship is not about the struggles of one character. The game, on the contrary, provides an interactive experience with other characters, but the sole purpose of the game is to develop a single protagonist.  Character attachment in LOTRO creates a more immersive experience than perhaps the movie, as one is able to blaze the trails of Middle Earth during a more individualistic adventure.  

People with a good personality can make a mark in any aspect of their life. Look around and you’ll find that all successful people have a great persona. A person with good language skills, communication skills, a good posture, personal behavior and good hygiene is an epitome of good personality. Developing these traits is possible and necessary for any professional, student or business-person.

One can start with developing one’s way of greeting another person or colleague. Making and maintaining eye contact, giving a firm handshake or a gentle one in case of ladies, choosing the right moment to speak and the most important; being crystal clear about what you say. These qualities can be developed with hard work and dedication, and rest assured won’t be futile. Dressing decent yet smartly, being polite and helpful will go a long way in leaving a long lasting impression on the other person. Good posture points out the discipline in that person.

A wandering eye is a sign of a wandering mind, a loose handshake signifies disinterest, speaking aimlessly is a proven sign of disorderliness and unpreparedness. In case of ladies, any improper gesture or behavior can be disastrous. Dressing improperly, being rude or curt or a weak posture all point to indiscipline in a person.

Personality development is the sum of all the above. Improving your language skills along with a great smile can a go a long way in making a client feel satisfied and warm? In this age, a person’s hard skills need to be supplemented by good soft skills. In short it is right to say that, personality development is synonymous with success in any walk of life.

Your Blogs are due Thursday, September 11th.

Also, remember to check out the rubric when you're writing the entries.

I think it would be awesome if everybody at at least a rough draft of both entries for class on Tuesday. On Tuesday, we'll be devoting almost the entire class to working on our blogs.

Have a fair weekend!  Get it?

Peace out,

Mr. C

This weekend, your homework is to study Chapter 2, "Western Asia and Egypt, 3500-500 B.C."

This goes particularly to one part of the early objectives for the course, understanding the rise of the four great river civilizations along the Tigris-Euphrates Rivers System, along the Indus, along the Nile, and along the Huang He.

I am Ona Lou Britton, Reference & Instructional Services Coordinator at Chambers Library, and your contact person for incorporating library instruction into online classes. What follows are some ideas for assisting students in online classes with research assignments

Available Now: Lists of Resources

Option #1 -- General Subject Guides

The library's databases are arranged by subject on the Chambers Library Website. Clicking on the Find Articles link on the homepage will display these guides.

Option #2 -- Specialized Lists for particular topics & Mini Demonstrations for Specific Tasks

We have used blogs effectively to create lists of resources for specific subjects, particularly for advanced classes.

Dr. Evans' Fundamentals of Public School Administration serves as an example. This blog was created for an in-person class, but this kind of blog would transfer well to an online class format.

We also created a blog for Dr. Garcia's Career Guidance class currently offered online. This blog includes a list of appropriate databases as well as search strategies and videos for specific tasks.

Brief videos work well if students have to find something specific. For example, Ms. Johnson's Methods of Design students needed subject specific Master's Theses. This blog contains a video about finding them using the worldwide electronic catalog, Worldcat.

Similarly, Dr. Chew's Criminal Justice Ethics course contains a specific video for finding government documents on current events topics.

Option #3 -- Specific Resources and Tutorials for Specific Assignments

Dr. Kusler's Business Communication class had several assignments requiring various resources. Her blog reflects the use of different resources for different assignments, incorporating keyword suggestions, source lists, and mini demos.

Option #4 -- Videos and Slides for Specific Assignments and Resources

Dr. Green's Professional Teacher Education class utilizes Mental Measurements Yearbook both online and in print. Instruction librarian Amanda Lemon created a blog for this class including both slides and video for explanation about how and where to use MMY.

In the Works

General Tutorials for WebCT

The library's Searchpath tutorial is available. We are in the process of making it WebCT compatible.

Virtual Meetings with a Librarian

The instruction librarians would like to be available for virtual meetings with students in regards to library assignments. We will arrange these when the technology becomes available.

Thank you! Please contact me for any assistance with library assignments!

Ona Lou Britton

ENG III CLASSES:

Today we read pages 22-25 in the Elements of Literature (“EoL”) textbook. These pages included the following pieces:

• The Sky Tree
• The House Made of Dawn
• Coyote Finishes His Work

All of these writings are in the handout posted below.

Bruchac Essay and Native American Literature

We then completed a KWL chart based on this reading.

• K -- What I Know/Knew -- What did you know about Native American culture, customs, and literature before we began our exploration?
• W -- What I Want to Know -- What do you want to know about Native American culture, customs, and literature?
• L -- What I Learned -- What have you learned from our readings and our viewing of the Native American Folktales video?

If you missed class, please read pages 22-25 of the EoL textbook or the handout on Native American Literature (posted on the class website) and complete the KWL chart described above.

There is no homework for the class.

__________
ENG IV CLASSES:

2nd Period:

Today we read several Anglo-Saxon poem/riddles. You were given the opportunity to view the poems/riddles in their original Old English and then the translation in Modern English. Teams competed against each other in attempting to solve the riddles.

If you missed this class, please print out the Anglo-Saxon Riddles handout (posted on the class website) and make your best guess as to what each poem/riddle is describing?

There is no homework for the class.

3rd Period:

Today there was no assignment due to the Senior Class assembly. However, you take a look at the riddles 2nd period worked on solving in order to give you a head start for when you get the assignment.

There is no homework for the class.

For Friday, you will need to write another weekly essay.  This can be, again, "On ____," filling in the blank with whatever topic, idea or thing you like.

Good luck, and have a nice weekend.