Closing the second semester (Kilala.nl (Cailin Coilleach)) by Cailin Coilleach

So, the second semester has come and gone.

I've taken the only test on my list and I think it went fairly well. Unfortunately I'm well behind on my reports, meaning that I'll had to finish two courses next semester. Because of that, I've chosen to only follow one new course, which should give me enough free time to tie off any loose ends.

Luckily I've gotten some of my drive and energy back, so I'm motivated to keep going. Also, my EVE trial account will run out in a few days, so I'll be safe from that distraction as well. I -will- be getting a full account some day though. It really is an awesome game.

Posted in: college , hogeschool utrecht , reports , semester , test

That's one big feather up my ass! (Kilala.nl (Cailin Coilleach)) by Cailin Coilleach

Awesome! One of my teacher just gave me a big-ass compliment!

In the first three weeks of the Analysis 1 Didactics course, I'd turned in my first four reports. So far Theo's graded three of them, giving each a 90%.

Today he came up to me to tell me that he thought my work was extraordinary, because of all the extra research I put in. He also wanted to know whether I'd allow him to distribute my reports among his colleagues. He thought they'd be useful, to set an example of what they'd expect of their students.

Hot diggity! ^_^;;

Posted in: college , compliment , feather up my ass , reports

I'm falling behind, but I have to keep going (Kilala.nl (Cailin Coilleach)) by Cailin Coilleach

*yaaaawn* So, it's about two AM now and I'm still up, hacking at a report. Lemme tell you, that's one F-ing big assingment.

The course in question is Didactics in maths 2, a second-year class. Sweet Jeebus, do they pile on the work! Dossier report 6 (out of 12) alone is at least twelve hours of work. For this assignment I'm given a maths test and the answer sheets for five students.

I'm expected to:
1. Take the test myself, to find out the correct answers.
2. Define an initial scoring sheet for the test.
3. Score each of the students' results against my sheet.
4. Analyse the crap out of my scoring method.
5. Adjust my scoring to suit the best practices seen in high school.
6. Re-score the students' results.
7. Re-analyse my scoring, to see what has changed.
8. If need be, re-re-adjust everything.
9. Go over the test itself to see if it follows the best practices.
10. Write an analysis of the test and its shortcomings.
11. Determine how I would discuss the test's results in class.
12. Draw conclusions from the test's outcome. Have we reached all of our goals?

Good grief! Don't get me wrong: I'm loving every minute of this. It's just that this assignment is H.U.G.E.! More like sixteen hours, than the twelve I mentioned earlier.

Ah, fuggit... I'm going to bed. I've reached a point at which it is alright to save my work and close up show for the night. I'll work a bit longer tomorrow.

Posted in: college , falling behind , reports , schedule , study

Got my first partial grades (Kilala.nl (Cailin Coilleach)) by Cailin Coilleach

About a week ago I turned in my first two reports for "Statistics 1 - Didactics".

The first report focused on maths education using the Getal en ruimte (Numbers and space) method. My final conclusion was that G&R; is a nice enough method, teaching students the whole gammut of statistics. IMHO, the big downside to the Getal en Ruimte books is that they're so damn distracting. Each page is a colourful, multimedia explosion. Each assignment and piece of text has markers/identifiers in the margin to further confuse matters.

The ironic thing is that I used the same G&R; series in high school. Back then they were awesome books: clear, transparent, not too hectic and a joke here and there. Things have changed a lot since I was a kid.

The second report covered the final terms for maths education in VMBO. I couldn't get my hands on all of the required books, but I managed to wing it. The Getal en ruimte method proved itself again for VMBO, readying the student for his final terms. I think the books may have glossed over a few terms a little lightly, but most students should be fine for their exams.

Both reports received a "ZG" score which translates into "Very Good". Awesome! :3 I'm definitely going to try my best to keep this score up!

Posted in: college , didactics , grades , reports , statistics

Holy shit! That's a lot of work! (Kilala.nl (Cailin Coilleach)) by Cailin Coilleach

Holy crap! I just entered all of my homework and such for the following few weeks. The screenshot to the left is my current ToDo list in Schoolhouse 2. You probably can't see it very clearly, but it boils down to the following.

Due in one week -> Read about five chapters, make all relevant assignments.

Due in two weeks -> Read about six chapters, make all relevant assingments. WRITE FIVE REPORTS!

Crickey!

Now I'm off to bed. For now I'll stick to a regimen where I do schoolwork both before and after my normal, sysadmin work. So there's a bit in the early morning and the rest is between 1900 and 2200.

Like I said earlier today: I've good reason to be nervous!

Posted in: college , dossier , homework , reports