I Can't Stop Blogging

I found out I really like posting to this blog site. Even though my assignment with COM 502, where I was required to blog twice a week is over, I've decided to continue with it.

Who knows, I may continue blogging throughout my whole post-graduate experience. What's interesting to me is that I thought I would dislike posting to the blog, since I've never been much of a journal keeper.

I like it though! The forum seems to be helpful to me in sharing my thoughts and feelings about what I'm learning and experiencing.

Who will be my audience for these blogs? Probably no one. :) That's alright.

Perhaps someone who is thinking about earning an online degree will read these entries and find them helpful. Who knows!?

So, until next time--I'm off to study at my computer again.

Lynelle

I can IM

I wasn't planning on adding another post during this class, but my experience online tonight demanded it.

I became an IM user. Yes, Instant Messenger and I became companions. It was a whole new experience for me.

Blessings on my classmates, Bob, Brenda and Christi who helped me figure out how to communicate on IM by their great example.

It was a bit confusing having four people all "talking" at the same time, but for the most part we figured it out. We had to go back for clarification a couple of times. Overall, I found it a fascinating study in group interaction--in a whole new medium for me.

I could tell that the others were more familiar with the format. They were quicker and seemed really comfortable. I assume I'll be comfortable with it soon, too.

It was humorous at the end, when I didn't even know how to sign off. We all said "good night" and then I had to ask, "how do I get out of here?"

Our IM chat was a great way to wrap up my experiences in COM 502.

Lynelle

My First Class--Over Already?

It seems almost unbelievable that I am approaching the final week of my first post-graduate (and online) class. What an incredible experience.

I feel like I've entered a whole new world. I think I have.

Just yesterday I was visiting with a friend (and former co-worker) in my family room and gestured toward my desk when I was talking about my classes. I realized by his expression that he was confused by this non-verbal. I have an armoire-style desk, so he couldn't see that my computer was inside. I laughed and explained that the desk and computer are the location of my class in my mind. When I "go to school" it is at my desk.

Right then I realized that I'm forming a bond with my computer and the immediate environment around it. That seems strange, but it makes sense to me.

All of my classmates and professors have become part of this physically small world. It is ironic that this tiny territory opens up into a vast, expansive world of information and knowledge.

How grateful I am for the introduction to graduate school provided by COM502 Graduate Seminar. It has been HARD WORK, and I'm glad. I feel like I've been given tools for the project ahead.

Lynelle

So Glad to Find This Web Site

While I was doing my research for the library research project, I found a web site that I really like. The site is called Christian Cinema.com. It seems to address one of my areas of interest--how we communicate the Christian message through film and television in an effective way. I hope to pursue this topic for my thesis paper eventually.

This is not an "academic" site, but it does include some articles that are well thought out--by film industry professionals. I'm going to enjoy reading more of these, I think.

The site also has information about many different aspects of Christian film production and the availability of films that speak up for my beliefs. I think this will be a good resource professionally and in my personal life.

It includes reviews of films from a Christian perspective and information about new movies that are coming out from Christian producers.

I've book marked this site in my personal web pages and in my folder for future research during my education. I'm excited about it because I think it will be a site to get a lot of use. It may also connect me to other sites of interest, I expect.

Here's the address: http://www.christiancinema.com/

Lynelle

A Good Night's Sleep

It's amazing how a good night of sleep can give a person a whole new perspective. Today, I'm optimistic about my future as a graduate student and ready to reflect on the process of research using the "Internet library."

I think I miss the smell of old books.

But on the other hand, I sure love the advantage of searching numerous data bases for material without leaving the comfort (that's relative since my desk chair is a chair from the dining room table) of my own home.

As I was trying to familiarize myself with the databases and the process this week, I had a number of moments feeling overwhelmed, both by the sheer volume of material available and by the varying formats for the database sites.

I expect to become more accustomed to the web sites, which will make searching more efficient and enjoyable. I may not so easily adjust to how many resources are actually available to me. It is truly a big task to sort through so much and select only the best.

The good news is, that I found many resources on the topic that is so interesting to me. I am wanting to develop some principles or guidelines, or creative ideas--I'm not sure of the right word yet--for producing films that will impact our culture on behalf of Christianity.

There are several books available that I feel like I just have to read, as soon as I get a few moments. :)

So far in my literature review, while I have found several journal articles that approach or talk around the subject I would like to research, I have not found an article that says just what I want to say. That's good, I think. There may be a place for my thesis paper in the academic world.

Lynelle

A Time for Prayer

This is a week for prayer--and I've only had time for short, sometimes desperate ones. My assignments this week are overwhelming me. The time that I am putting into them is cutting into the time that I want to be spending with my children, so I am feeling inadequate and frustrated. I'm also exhausted from a couple of late nights "at the library."

When I was writing my time management paper, I was optomistic about how I would find balance. Now. . .I feel like it is not working. My husband even said last night, "when are these classes over?" He's been so helpful and patient, but he's starting to wonder if we did the right thing having me go back to school right now.

I believe that when we prayed about this, God impressed us that I should go for it, and get my masters degree before the time when I want to go back to work part or full time. I keep remembering that I need this degree to be a college professor. I'm looking forward to what I will be learning, too. Especially, I'm anticipating what it will be like to research the thesis I am contemplating.

Doing the work is not harder than I expected, but it is more time consuming than I hoped. From past experience, I expect that in a few days, I will be more encouraged. Some time spent with God and family this weekend will be very welcome.

I've decided to attach a picture of my family again -- because it encourages me somehow. This one is of my husband reading to our three little ones. It makes me smile.

Lynelle