Blog - Post University

Well said, Geigenkoffer. I found that speaking wi...

2012-05-03T14:07:24.523-04:00

Well said, Geigenkoffer. I found that speaking with my daughters' school teachers and communicating with their doctors were the ultimate test of understanding and getting my point across in a foreign language. I could deal with not getting the right kind of bread from the baker, but I could not sacrifice misunderstanding a teacher's report or a doctor's diagnosis. Thanks for the insight!

Ruby

Hi Thomas, I absolutely agree! If you're thr...

2012-05-03T14:00:59.183-04:00

Hi Thomas,

I absolutely agree! If you're thrown into a country where no one speaks your language, that's bound to be the ultimate motivation I should think :).

Ruby

Great points, Jean-Paul. Relevance indeed does no...

2012-05-03T13:57:04.939-04:00

Great points, Jean-Paul. Relevance indeed does not necessitate interest. And the next step to learning vocabulary and grammar is of course to use them towards specific goals and outcomes.

Xie Xie!

Ruby

Hi Scott, I have only used a demo version of Rose...

2012-05-03T13:49:59.404-04:00

Hi Scott,

I have only used a demo version of Rosetta Stone, and it does seem to utilize first language learning techniques (picture to vocabulary linking) which is great. Many people like it, though some people who need more detailed rules of grammar and specific vocabulary find the simplified approach troubling.

My daughter is actually in Rome right now and learning Italian pretty quickly. There's a lot to say for immersing yourself in the language and culture you want to study. Maybe you should take a long vacation to Italy and really learn your Italian :). Ciao!

Learning the basics of any language is not so diff...

2012-05-03T09:29:28.433-04:00

Learning the basics of any language is not so difficult, but when it comes to communicating with it; there the challenge lies.

You have to be interested in learning a new langug...

2012-05-02T11:52:16.462-04:00

You have to be interested in learning a new languge. That is really to key if you want to learn a second language and don't want to end up quitting.
Another factor is motivation.

Very well put together infographic. The most inter...

2012-05-02T03:46:04.012-04:00

Very well put together infographic. The most interesting thing for me was seeing the large disparity in ages of all the graduates. Great to see so many people in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s getting their business degrees. Congrats to everyone who's graduating!

As a 5th-year ESL teacher in Shanghai, I agree wit...

2012-05-02T01:26:40.071-04:00

As a 5th-year ESL teacher in Shanghai, I agree with the above but I would also like to add a few things. I like that you pointed out interest, but I think that can be expanded to include relevancy. In my experience, learners retain more of what they study if they can relate it to their lives, even if they're not necessarily interested in the topic. If it relates to their world somehow, it'll be more likely to stick.

Also, instead of focusing on one aspect of language, such as vocabulary or grammar, learners should consider focusing on outcomes and abilities, i.e. what can they do with the language. The school I teach at uses the Common European Framework's series of 'can-do' statements, i.e. "Student can describe their job duties" or "Student can express an opinion on changes to the environment," as an initial ability assessment when student intake occurs, and our curriculum is designed to target these can-do statements so that they are able to literally chart their progress as they take more and more classes and assessments.

Yes, if you are named to the Dean’s or President’s...

2012-04-30T09:47:26.735-04:00

Yes, if you are named to the Dean’s or President’s List, you will be notified by the University. The list is posted three times a year in December, May and August.

-Don Mroz, Ph.D.

I have truly grown from the MBA program at Post Un...

2012-04-26T15:21:52.001-04:00

I have truly grown from the MBA program at Post University. It has prepared me to recognize my unique talents -- and to capitalize on them. In addition to my experience in social work, in real estate, and now in business management, I feel uniquely qualified to pursue my dreams

What an awesome statement! I know that you are so proud as well as all those around you. Congratulations!

Note the Secret Sauce -- soft skills. They are a c...

2012-04-26T15:13:03.041-04:00

Note the Secret Sauce -- soft skills. They are a crucial component to this recipe. Many people think squishy/soft skills are "touchy feely" ingredients that don't matter in the recipe for success. These folks are wrong!

I especially agree with this statement. You have to have the essential people skills to first get in the door and then to make a difference in your chosen path.

Excellent article!!!

You'll find you enjoy your trek into foreign l...

2012-04-26T14:56:46.825-04:00

You'll find you enjoy your trek into foreign language learning more if you work with material that interests you.

This is the most important part to me. Have you used the Rosetta Stone study materials? I keep seeing them in the airports and makes me want to learn Italian so bad.

Any update on this? I finally just found the requi...

2012-04-25T01:03:19.983-04:00

Any update on this? I finally just found the requirements to make the President's list or Dean's list and am on target. I'm wondering if I'll be notified somehow once I complete the required credits next mod?

This is a subject I'm very interested in, as y...

2012-04-03T11:05:09.061-04:00

This is a subject I'm very interested in, as you know!. A while back I wrote up a post as a response to a question on Facebook:

http://educationalexperimentalist.com/wp/?p=618

In a nutshell, I think it can be a very interesting and dynamic way to make yourself "real" especially to online students. There are wise boundaries to follow, just like in any classroom, and if you aren't willing to do that, then you should stay away from adding current students.

Like Prof Wall that you mentioned above, I almost always say "yes" when students add me. I don't go looking for them to add first. When the semester is over, I sometimes unfriend students who post a lot of flotsam (for lack of a better word).

Interacting on Facebook and Twitter gives me a chance to model what social media *can* be, to help students take it beyond wondering what Ashton has for lunch. It can be a very engaging, dynamic communication space, if you spend the time to build up your network. I've written about this also:

http://educationalexperimentalist.com/wp/?p=617

Feel free to follow me!

Debby Kurti
Instructor, Post EDU 505/ EDU 520
Twitter: debbyk/ChangeEd
Facebook: DebbyK

Thanks so much Shanice. All the best to you in you...

2012-03-21T12:54:39.474-04:00

Thanks so much Shanice. All the best to you in your future work and endeavors.

Thank You Sarah and all the best to you in your fu...

2012-03-21T12:52:57.243-04:00

Thank You Sarah and all the best to you in your future endeavors.

Very inspirational. Thanks alot.

2012-03-20T21:54:06.805-04:00

Very inspirational. Thanks alot.

As Felicia mentioned, to "Never give up"...

2012-03-20T21:31:04.311-04:00

As Felicia mentioned, to "Never give up", is very good advice. In the field of Human Services it is easy to experience "burn out" and get tired of people when situations don't work out right, I hope to adhere to this advice while trying to acquire my Human Service Degree. She also mentioned, how "human services is not just about sitting in a cubicle all day. It's about guiding people, being compassionate, and being an advocate for a certain cause or many causes." This is an enlightenment for me by letting me know the reality of the field. Felicia then mentions,"You can go to work every day, but when it really comes down to it, you need to be involved in the community." This is encouraging, and enlightening because working in the field requires you to roll up your sleeves and really care about the lives you are impacting on a daily bases. Thanks for that interview, it was very helpful.

Hey Jay Murray, Thanks for sharing such a great in...

2012-03-20T16:58:47.738-04:00

Hey Jay Murray,
Thanks for sharing such a great information.Am looking forward for your net post.

Real world integration is KEY in today's socie...

2012-03-20T15:19:33.139-04:00

Real world integration is KEY in today's society. The more experience that one can have before graduation the more sought after the individual will be post graduation. Excellent point, Dr. Mulgrew!

Reading this blog has inspired me so much. What yo...

2012-03-16T12:31:53.710-04:00

Reading this blog has inspired me so much. What you do is exactly what I want to be doing, I just didn't realize it was possible until now.

Age does not a big hindrance to learn and achieve ...

2012-03-07T02:12:18.264-05:00

Age does not a big hindrance to learn and achieve our dreams and goals.
great job!

It has been an absolute pleasure to share learning...

2012-03-06T18:47:44.176-05:00

It has been an absolute pleasure to share learning experiences with Carlos in the graduate program at Post. I am confident that he will become all that he aspires to be. He is able to command the interest and responses of others when sharing his life's, collegiate, and drug and alcohol counseling expertise with his fellow classmates. His comments were always content rich and well executed. As we continued our coursework our schedules were no longer as compatible as they were at the start of the program he pursued the Drug Addiction concentration while I sought after the Clinical track. I miss our classroom discussions dearly. Carlos has maintained communication with me beyond the classroom and through our exchanges he has encouraged me to pursue my education further as well. He is a stellar role model and a bona fide friend and I am glad our paths crossed. It would be an honor to be a witness to Carols achieving his next level of greatness.
Thank you for inspiring me,
Sanji Lawrence

It is an amazing interview for its goal and Carlos...

2012-03-06T15:58:43.424-05:00

It is an amazing interview for its goal and Carlos's will of going on studying. It is really awesome how Post University does its job - educating people and helping them go over their barriers.
Congratulations!

Wow go her, I left school at 15 and became a mum a...

2012-03-06T06:47:21.421-05:00

Wow go her, I left school at 15 and became a mum at 17. So there is hope for me yet! Thanks for the inspiration :)