Professor Lorenzetti's Paper Writing Tips

It's time for you to turn in your paper, isn't it? I have a few helpful hints below to help you maximize your time and your grade.

• A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine. If you wait until the last minute to ask questions or otherwise contact me for help, I may not be available. Plan, plan, plan. 

• Always double space and use Times New Roman, 12 point font. This is not new. You know this.

• CITE CITE CITE CITE CITE. When in doubt, cite. If you present any ideas in your paper without citing them, you are presenting them as your own and that is plagiarism. You may be putting a citation in after every single sentence in your literature review. That is ok, and that is a good thing. 

• Beware of overusing quotes! As a general rule, the number of quotes in any paper should be no more than one quote per page, and even that is pushing it. If you have too many quotes, then you aren't writing the paper -- other people are. Please see the video from the Colbert Report below. Don't be Melania!

•  APA Style is non-negotiable. I have provided you with a handy sheet detailing how to write a paper. For reflection papers, no cover sheet is needed. However, a reference page is always required. Google Scholar will provide you with proper APA citation for your reference page, and you should always cite others' work after the sentence that holds it. For example, Professor Lorenzetti wrote in a previous blog post that she loves cheese puffs (Lorenzetti, 2016). In the event you quote someone, you also must put the page number. For example, in her published manifesto, Professor Lorenzetti expressed, "Cats are the best pets ever" (Lorenzetti, 2016, p. 6).

• Google Scholar is your friend. Use it. Live it. Love it.

• Don't assume that I am a mind reader. Everything in your paper should be explicitly laid out -- do not assume that everything is known or a given. Be clear, and always connect your observations to the theory when writing reflection papers.

• Spell check! Read for run-on sentences! Check for grammar!

• If your paper is due electronically, do not wait until 11:59 PM for a 12 AM deadline. If the server holds your paper up, it's still late.

Learning Styles and Intelligence - IDEA, Pashler et al., & Gardner

Today we are examining learning styles and intelligence -- what are these things, do they exist, how do they show up, and what do we do with them in the classroom? Today's questions will have two strands -- one on learning styles, the other on intelligence. We will briefly review IDEA in class next week.

As a reminder, you must thoroughly and thoughtfully respond to the discussion questions, and you must reply to one peer. Instead of two peers, I would like for you to converse with the person you are replying to. Just a simple statement that you agree is not sufficient; this must be a thought out and in-depth response.

Your response is due Thursday at 7:55 PM.

1a. Pashler et al. detail the research on learning styles and whether or not they are something that should be used as widely as they are. Using what we have discussed previously in class about cognitive development and thinking, why do you think these learning styles are so popular? Have you seen this popularity in your own school or life, and how does it relate back to why you think these are popular?

1b. How can you as an educator reconcile the popularity of “learning style” programs with the lack of evidence to support their use in the classroom.

2a. Gardner provides an overview of intelligence testing then introduces his theory of multiple intelligences. Discuss at least two ways to measure intelligence as cited by Gardner. and explore why you agree or disagree that this is a "good" way of measuring intelligence.

2b. Describe the most intelligent person you know. Just their attributes, the ones that make him or her "intelligent." (Try to avoid using identifying characteristics -- e.g., my friend Genie who has blond hair and is often eating lunch on campus at 1pm.) How do you know this person is intelligent? What do you value in intelligence.

See you all Tuesday in person!

Physical Development - PBS Frontline

Hello 750-ers!

Welcome to your first online class. After you have watched the PBS Frontline episode, please respond thoughtfully and thoroughly to the prompt questions below. In addition, you must fully reply to at least two peers. This must be completed before 7:55 PM Thursday, which is the completion of our class that day.

Remember, I'm not looking for pat answers -- I've been doing this a long time and can't abide something like, "This information is important because it helps me understand my students." Yes, I know it does. Dig deep, reflect, and make connections to your own experience. This is how you are receiving participation credit for today's class!

As a reminder, this is a public blog, so just be aware before posting identifying details in your discussion that this blog is open to both past and future students. 

Thank you for a lovely first day of class -- I look forward to seeing you all Tuesday!

1. Discuss what new information you have learned about how the adolescent brain operates. How does it differ from a younger brain, and how does it differ from an older brain? What are some examples the video gave, and what are some examples you have seen in your own life and work that illustrate this? You may discuss your own experience with adolescents (your own or others, students or not).

2. Discuss the importance of sleep. What does the video present, and why is this important? What are some real world examples you have seen that illustrate what the video discusses?

3. What new information did you learn about how adolescents process information like facial expressions and emotions? What surprised you, or what is something new you learned?

4. How does this one-hour episode help you better understand how adolescents think and feel? How can you use this information in your current or future classroom? What is an event in your past working (or living!) with adolescents that you realize now, if you could go back, you might understand better after having this information?