A Visit to York University..Hey Amigo! Join us at York!!!

Just call me maybe...Lol

A view from the Library; across the bridge...

My Amigo, Pelo, and I, Spending our Halloween in York University.

York University Central

WOW!! What a delightful view!!!

Computer Science, Law, Some other Faculties and wonderful Ensuite Cool Student Accommodations

Guess We're gonna be Living in One of these SOON!!! YORK UNI...

It's a Paradise!!! Best Computer Science Facilities and Teachings

Evening...At the corner!

Take a look!!

Arctic and Antarctic model essay

In what ways are the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions different, and what are the major threats to these environments?

The Arctic and Antarctic regions might be considered similar, as they are both extremely cold and rich in wildlife, however close study reveals they are actually very different places.    

The polar regions differ in a number of ways.  First, the Arctic consists of ice floating on a sea, whereas the Antarctic is a ‘frozen continent surrounded by ocean’ (Fothergill, 2012, p. 5).  The Arctic ice is thin, no more than a few feet (Fothergill, 2012, p.5) and the Antarctic ice sheet is often more than one mile thick (Rabbit, 2001, p.67).  This huge difference in altitude is one of the factors in the contrasting average temperatures of each region.  As Fothergill explains (2012, p.5), the Antarctic is much colder, averaging minus 30C even in Summer, and the Arctic is kept warmer by the surrounding land mass of eight territories.  A further difference between the regions is the presence of people.  According to Rabbit (2009, p.7), the Arctic is permanently  inhabited by almost four million people.  The Antarctic, however, is too hostile for humans, and only scientists and support staff live temporarily in research stations throughout the region (Penguin, 2001, p.67).

Both the Arctic and Antarctic face a wide range of threats from pollution and the exploitation of natural resources.  As Myers (2005, p.10) explains, the Arctic is under considerable pressure for its reserves of oil and gas and while the Antarctic is protected for the present by the Environmental Protocol (1991), a massive coalfield thought to be under the Transantarctic Mountains might lead to environmental damage in the future (p. 11).  Exploitation of fish stocks occurs in both regions, and in the Antarctic this has caused the deaths of thousands of sea birds caught in the fishing lines and nets (Myers, 2005, pp 10 – 11).  According to Myers (2005, p 10), the Arctic is polluted with ‘Persistant Organic Polutants, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and waste products’. 

In conclusion, it is clear that the Arctic and Antarctic regions are both exposed to complex threats.  The differences in the geography of each region mean these problems will have very different consequences for the region.  Whatever these consequences might be, their impact will be felt by the whole planet. 

Bibliographical references

Fothergill, A. (2012) Planet Earth. BBC Books: London

Myers, N. ((2005) The New Gaia Atlas of Planet Management. Gaia Books: London

Penguin, S. (2001)  ‘100 facts about Antarctica.'  The Continent of Antarctica:  Journal of Science Reports.  Vol. 2, no. 4, p.67

Rabbit, P. (2009) ‘The Arctic Peoples.' Journal of Polar Studies. Vol. 5, no. 4, p. 7

References must be listed in alphabet order, using the writer’s surname.

This model essay is longer than 250 words, and you should aim to write no more than 250 words.  I wanted to show you a range of reference techniques, and I have also tried to demonstrate how your comments are needed. 

Your paragraphs must not be one ‘solid’ reference.  References have several functions:  they support your comments; they provide evidence and data to support your point; they can extend and develop your points.  For example, you make the point that Antarctica is colder than the Arctic, and the reference provides the reasons for this.

You must demonstrate in the exam that you can use all three types of reference:  quotation, paraphrase and summary. 

REMEMBER:  if your paraphrase is too close to the original, or identical to the original, your marks will drop considerably. 

REMEMBER:  if you over-use quotation, your marks will drop.  There needs to be more paraphrase and summary than quotation.

REMEMBER:  quotations should be sentence ‘fragments’, embedded into your sentence.  The selected quotation must fit grammatically into your sentence.  The most impressive sentence contains a paraphrase / summary from one source and a short quotation from another source.  In this way, you can show differences and similarities effectively and efficiently. 

AVOID quoting entire sentences.  Each sentence of your essay must be constructed by you.  Quotation should form a part of a sentence.

For example:

As Myers (2005, p.10) explains, the Arctic ‘is highly threatened by overfishing, illegal fishing, and industrial development’, and the consequences will have a long-term impact on the region.

In this example, the quotation is short, embedded into my sentence, and a brief comment is included to show that the reference is part of my discussion, and not something that is separate from my discussion.

The conclusion.  This is an opportunity for you to think of your own response to the discussion of the topic.  Don’t present a single sentence statement.  Try to make an observation that clearly comes out of the ideas and information in your essay.  Your conclusion also needs to reflect the aims of the essay and the question in the essay title.

 

Verbs of reference

Arctic and Antarctic exam practice

Verbs of reference

Fothergill (2012, p.5)

Myers (2005, p.10)

Mayer (2009, p. 7)

Hareng (2001, p.67)

There are many ways to introduce references.

Referencing verbs are used to introduce summaries, paraphrases and quotations.

For example:

Fothergill (2012, p.5) states that [paraphrase / summary].

According to Myers:  ‘quotation’ (2005, p.10).

As Myers observes:  ‘quotation’ (2005, p.10).

Mayers (2009, p.7) states that [paraphrase / summary…..

Hareng claims that [paraphrase/summary]  (2001, p. 67).

Fothergill explains that [summary] (2012, p.15).

Myers (2005, p.10) shows

Hareng (2001, p.67) argues / believes / thinks ……

How to install XCode for Mac

Further work on referencing and citation

In Monday's class we are going to practice referencing.

Last week, you wrote a short essay, supporting your points with references from two online articles.

This week, you are going to write a short report, using four online sources to support and illustrate your points.  The focus of the practice will be on using quotations and summaries.

The task is to write a report in support of a planning proposal.  The proposal is for a new, high-tech office in central Cambridge.  The building is completely sustainable in its use of materials and energy use.  The purpose of the building is something you can agree in your groups.  

The idea is to give you a piece of writing that focuses on a number of your degree subjects - IT, environmental technology, civil engineering...if there is no direct link, I'm sure you can find a way to include your point of view.

You need to persuade the local authority that this building is truly 21st century, and that it meets the needs of the community it serves.

creative modern office designs

renewable energy company

proposal for a new Cambridgeshire town

sustainable building and planning

University Application Information

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/series/university-guide-2013-subjects

Higher entry level tariff means higher requirements.
Have a good spread of universities- find 5 that you visit and like.
If you want to, we can try and find students already studying there.
But this might not be possible always.


Do consider De Montfort University (not for Computer Science) and Brighton Univeristy.
Essex is a good choice too.


Will try and answer all the questions you have given me next class.

In the meantime, please try to have your choice and summary Excel workbooks ready.

Another article for your essay

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/modern-life-hitting-kids-attention-span-155253944.html

Have a look at this article in today's news.

Campus Tour of the Nottingham University 17/10/2012

 The West Entrance of the University of Nottingham:

The Entrance of the Nottingham University:

 One of the huge park inside the campus:

 The main building of the University Of Notthingam:

 The Factulty of Engineering:

 Chimical and Enviromental, Civil, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering building:

 Here is the Engineering and Science learning center. This building has been constructed last year:

 Inside the learning center:

 Here is the huge workshop for manufacturing, civil, mechanical engineering:

 Faculty of engineering:

 Nottingham city center:

 Here is also the city center which is bigger than Cambridge. It only at 20min from the University by bus:

The Railway Station is at 15 minuts from the city center by walk.

From Paragraph to Essay

This week we are working on essay writing.

1/  Title
2/  Introduction - thesis statement
3/  Body - topic sentences, supporting sentences with references
4/  conclusion
5/  Bibliographical references

Research

Sue Palmer

'Screen time: Warning over TV and computers' BBC News

Positive effects of internet usage on child development

Referencing quiz

Referencing

1/  What is a reference?
2/  Why do we include references in our essays?
3/  What are the three ways to present a reference?
4/  What is the citation?
5/  What information do you include in the citation?
6/  Where do you put the citation?
7/  What is another name for the citation?
8/  Where do you write the bibliographical reference?
9/  What information does it contain?
10/  What could happen if you make a mistake when presenting the citation and / or bibliographical reference?

TED talks - summary writing

What happened at the Large Hadron Collider

1The LHC is a circular tube built under ground at Geneva. 2/ It is 27 kilometres long and the tube is 44 metres wide.  3/ Particles are sent around the LHC at great speeds to try to create the same conditions that existed one billionth of a second after the Big Bang.  4/ When it was switched on for the first time it was a success, but then there was a problem.  5/ Some of the superconducting gold wires had a defect which caused them to heat up.  50 of the 20 ton magnets were damaged.  6/ They are now repaired and the LHC is ready to begin further experiments.

My Nine Months Plan

                                     My Nine Months Plan

In five years time, I hope to be working with a top direct-sales internet marketing company, being able to create computer softwares that would definitely encourage the efficiency and the pace at which the direct-sales company helps individual create their very own financial freedom, as well being financially informed. Also, I would love to create and have my very own online-internet empire that would encourage young people ( as well as old) to be able to create the kind of positive financial freedom they want.

To achieve all this, I have decided to become a computer scientist(A programmer),in order to be able to achieve my internet-empire aim with the by being able to create computer softwares that would help speed up the process and also know my way around computers.

Fitting all theses into a more achievable platform, I’d like to mark my plans by months.

October	I need to enhance my academic knowledge on all subjects related to my course, by self-study. And as well,begin working on my personal statement and attending some lectures in some university on my chosen course.
November	I need to complete my personal statement, after some several edition and re-edition of it. And as well prepare for my Tests and Exams
December	I need to begin applying for universities that I have chosen for my course of study ,without forgetting about examination preparations
January	I need to prepare more for diligently for my IELTS
February	I need to educate myself more on my course by engaging myself more with people and societies relating to my course
March	Take my IELT and also begin extending my UK Visa
April	Getting and submitting more results
May	Explore more of the UK

9 months' plan

9 months’plan

Deciding a subject which i like is very important now,what I have to do now is to do some research about mechanical engineering ,which I spend much time to meet and know about the details.

 

Creating a good personal statement is very necessary to get into a university. Firstly, i will spend most of my time at weekend for it ,what i do is very helpful to my personal statement is surfing the website-ucas,as there is a few examples and way to improve my writing of personal statement .Secondly ,I am planning to memorize lots of words per day to increase my dictionary. Third,I cultivate my mind by reading as a excellent way to upgrade the ability of making structure,so i read a newspaper everyday morning.

 

	9 months’plan
September	I will chose my favourite subject to study,then do some research about it.The most important thing to do is picking 5 universities I truely like in uk.
October	I will be planning do some research about my personal statement,Have a good website to get lots of information about how to write a great personal statement is very necessary to me.
November	Searching the open day of the 5 universities I want to study in,maybe ask someone to help me for preparing what I need to do for getting in university. Praticeing homework and reviewing books for the coming exam.
December	Receive the result after 14th of december
January	Focus on ielts training.Pratice all the book of ielts.
February	Preparing for exam in February
March	Finding some books which can help prepare for exams in library of Grand Arcade.
April	Preparing for exam in May.
May	Preparing for exam ,then receive the result.

 

Workshops, tasters and open lectures

Workshops, tasters and open lectures in

Computer games
Music
Law
Film and media

All in October, Anglia Ruskin University.

I'll give you details in class if you are interested in attending.

EAP 12 week plan for the term

Autumn Term 2012

English for Academic Purposes

Week 1  September 24  - 28

Set up class and individual blogs.  Competencies exercise.  9 month plan.  Student Handbook; read and sign student contract.  Begin Personal Statement.  Ucas subject profiles:  skills.  

Week 2  October 1 - 5

Deadline:  the 9 month plan must be completed and posted on individual blog by the end of the week.

Start of English for Academic Purposes course.

Paragraph structure.  Chapter 1 in Oshima.  Chapter 1.10 in Bailey.

Unity and Coherence.  Chapter 2 in Oshima.

Week 3  October 8 - 12

Deadline:  the first draft of the Personal Statement must be completed and submitted as email attachment by the end of the week.

EAP essay:  the aims and objectives of the essay.  Students start process of choosing topic.  Guidance on research and planning; finding and evaluating sources.  Ebscohost.  Brainstorming, planning and drafting process.  First draft deadline agreed with class.

Plagiarism.  Chapter 8 in Oshima.

Summary, paraphrase and quotation.  Chapters 3 and 8 in Oshima.  Practice from Bailey, chapter 1.3 .

Language work:  use of definite and indefinite articles.  Bailey, chapter 3.3 .

Verbs of reference.  Bailey, chapter 3.14 .

Week 4  October 15 - 19

From paragraph to essay:  Oshima, chapter 4. (Introductions and conclusions, thesis statement.)

Accuracy in writing:  academic vocabulary, (Bailey, chapter 3.2) caution (Bailey, chapter 3.4) and use of synonyms in academic writing (Bailey, chapter 3.11).

Transition signals, co-ordinating conjunctions:  chronological, cause and effect, compare and contrast words.  Oshima, chapters 5, 6 and 7 (selected sections).

Week 5  October 22 - 26

Individual tutorials about coursework essay.  Students should have collected their data from research and direct observation.  Essay plan completed and thesis statement written.  

Tutorials will also focus on progress on Personal Statements.

Further practice for paraphrasing and summarising, using a range of sources, textbook and academic sources.

Academic style.  Bailey, chapter 2.10.  Relate this and previous language work to students‘ essay writing.    

Week 6  October 29 - November 2

‘Referencing week.’  Revision and exam practice for the mid-term exam.  

Week 7  November 5 - 9

Mid-term exam week.  The EAP exam is on referencing skills.  

Week 8  November 12 - 16

Deadline:  UCAS Personal Statement final draft must be completed and submitted as email attachment by the end of the week.

Individual feedback on mid-term exam.  Further teaching on any issues that arise, linking with students’ coursework essay.

Combining sources.  Bailey, chapter 1.9 .  Relate this to coursework drafts.

Sentences:  compound and complex structures.  Oshima, chapter 10.  Relate this to coursework drafts - peer-work and development of writing style.    

Development of coherent argument at sentence, paragraph and essay level.  Group and pair work on example texts.  Peer-work on coursework drafts.  

Week 9  November 19 - 23 

Focus on coursework essay.  Re-writing and proof-reading.  Bailey, chapter 1.12 . 

Group work - short keynote presentations on selected topics, showing understanding of how to combine sources, use citation and reference, and select relevant detail that supports and advances the argument.  

End of term exam practice:  topic sentences revision and paragraph unity.

Note-taking and summarising practice:  TED talk.

Week 10  November 26 - 30

First draft of EAP essay:  bring to class on laptops, Monday 26th.

Revision of citation methods and use of references.  The conventions for writing the bibliography.  Relate this to coursework essays. 

Time allocated for students needing guidance on their essay.

Group work:  presentation on the main teaching objectives of the course.  Students demonstrate their familiarity and skill with the terminology and the academic conventions addressed throughout the term.  The students take on the role of teachers and instructors, and present their own lessons as a way to articulate their understanding.  The content and material of the presentations should reflect their degree subject choices, and will be an opportunity to conduct some research that is relevant to them.  

Note-taking and summarising practice:  TED talk.

Week 11  December 3 - 7

Deadline:  EAP coursework essay submission, Thursday 6th December, 4pm.

Time allocated for students needing last minute guidance on essay.  

Note-taking and summarising practice:  TED talk.  

Group work, focusing on all the knowledge and understanding assessed in the end-of-term exam. Presentations made by groups.  

Week 12  December 10 - 14

End of term exams.