English

Description

A common misconception we encounter is that journal articles should be read like any other type of reading. But that’s not the case. You don’t necessarily have to read it from beginning to end; in fact, we suggest you start by poking around. Here are some tips:

• Give yourself enough time. The text of a journal article is often dense/hard to read because it is written for specialists
• First, read the intro/abstract.
• Second, skip to the end and read the “general discussion.”
• Third, look over the middle “experiments/methods/etc” 
• Annotate as you go. If you haven’t yet, watch this for help.

Directions

Please post 2-3 paragraphs in response to one of the options below:

• Option A: What do you think about the problem Sana et al present? According to the authors, your grades may suffer if you are regularly distracted. Does this research confirm or challenge your own beliefs or experience? Also, now that many of your courses are online does this–laptop multitasking–make those classes harder, or do you find it easier to do school without the classrooms?
• Option B: What about the suggested solution? Respond to this statement from the text: “Ultimately, students must take accountability for their learning; however, enthusiastic instructors can influence how students choose to direct their attention during class time” (Sana, et al). What are some ways that you “take accountability” for your learning? How have “enthusiastic instructors” helped you stay focussed in class? 
• Option C: Researchers like Faria Sana will now be interested in how moving courses into remote/online formats influence learning. Considering what you now know about laptop multitasking, how do you think this complicates remote learning? What types of research questions do we need to ask about remote learning? What is working in the classes you are taking, and what do you think it suggests?