Apples and Anthropology

Reaching a Broader Audience in Anthropology

2010-03-08T17:39:00.000-08:00

http://neuroanthropology.net/2010/03/03/on-reaching-a-broader-public-five-ideas-for-anthropologists/

Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story | Video on TED.com

2010-03-06T06:34:00.000-08:00

Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story | Video on TED.com

This is a wonderful talk that I will use in my intro to anthropology classes.

Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson -- Daily Anthem

2010-03-05T04:53:00.000-08:00

Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson is one of those songs that makes me smile from the inside out. It reminds me of "the comfort of love."

This Too Shall Pass by OK Go --Daily Anthem

2010-03-02T14:56:00.000-08:00

This is a great video and a wonderful song for a daily anthem. You have to listen to the song separately from the video to really appreciate the words --In my case, I get too caught up in the coolness of the video to pay attention to both at the same time.

Faith Moves Mountains featured

2010-02-28T19:33:00.000-08:00

This blog post features research that one of my colleagues is participating in.

I Gotta Feeling Black-eyed Peas - Daily Anthem

2010-02-26T17:11:00.000-08:00

The kids and I love to dance to this song. Also, while I'm humming it in my head, I can change the words to "Today's going to be a good day." As far as anthems go - Perfect!

Is Your Computer a Friend or Foe to Productivity?

2010-02-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

This is a complicated question. There are many web-based tools that I have mentioned previously that can enhance your productivity, especially when that productivity involves writing. However, I also know that my computer time hinders my productive capacity. It must for others as well. Otherwise there wouldn't be so many tools out there to turn off the internet capability on your computer so you can actually write without distractions. Here's one tool for the Mac.

On our campus they have writing boot camps where people commit to writing for a week in a computer lab that has had the internet access disabled.

Sometimes you simply need a mental break from what you are working on. Google has a "take a break" feature that disables your computer for 15 minutes - enough time for a mental refresh, quick snack, or brief walk.

Getting Over Writing Anxiety

2010-02-26T08:28:00.000-08:00

Something that seems to hit most graduate students at least once in their young careers is writing anxiety. For me it hit in full force during my second year and that fear can still creep up on me when I least expect it or desire it. So, what can you do?

I was introduced to a productivity tool that can also help with writing anxiety called Write or Die. It is web-based but can also be purchased for download onto your own machine. Check it out. It was useful for me to start getting words on paper and helped to keep my momentum going. However, if you find staring at a computer screen unproductive, try getting out a legal pad and start scribbling. Set a timer and force yourself to write for 10 minutes at a time.

Also, I found that creating a relationship with a specific person at the Writing Center on campus was a real boost. I always make my appointments with my person. It helps that she is a kind soul and seems interested in my subject area. She helps catch my most common mistakes and makes the review process extremely pleasant because we can laugh and joke while we edit.

You could also form a partnership with another graduate student and do the same thing for each other.

Another option, which I haven't tried but looks interesting, is a paid writing coach, something like the writing club at The Academic Ladder.

Impossible from The Open Letters -Daily Anthem

2010-02-23T05:20:00.000-08:00

I just heard this catchy tune from the newly formed group, The Open Letters. Check them out on Facebook and MySpace, too. I also like their song, Stupid but Strong, which you can hear there.

Remember the Milk

2010-02-22T14:53:00.000-08:00

My life just became a whole lot easier. I found out about the "Remember the Milk" utility on Profhacker. His blog provides some useful tips on making the most of this organizational tool. I can't believe how perfect the name is for a nutritional anthropologist!

Sean Hayes- When We Fall In -Daily Anthem

2010-02-21T20:43:00.000-08:00

I've been following the work of Sean Hayes since I saw him last year on Pandora. I was inspired by his song "Alabama Chicken" and the soulful sound of his voice. I think his spot as a Pandora Featured Artist has served him well. Here is his fancy new video "When We Fall In."

A little boogie woogie, everyday --Daily Anthem

2010-02-20T18:52:00.000-08:00

The kids and I like to start our mornings with the "Move It, Move It" song. I think I can add this Jerry Lee Lewis song to the morning wake-up routine. I heard it on NPR while I was driving home from the library and it made me want to get out of the car and dance in the street. You also have to know that Paul and I love to swing!

I do my little boogie woogie everyday.

A Daily Anthem

2010-02-20T18:20:00.001-08:00

I think part of getting through the Ph.D. "thing" is getting into the correct mindset. Having a mantra last semester really helped me with this. For my mantra, I pictured the WWII poster of the woman rolling up her sleeves. Yes, "we can do it" became really important to me. This semester, in addition to a mantra, I've decided a daily anthem will be helpful.

You can help. What are your favorite anthems? You know, the songs that put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Songs that stick with you, which you can continue to "play" in your head as you go through your day.

My first anthem is from Rare Earth - I Just Want to Celebrate. Many thanks to Patsy and Randolph for reintroducing me to the song.

Child Hunger in Philly

2009-12-21T08:21:00.000-08:00

Chilton has done some research on child hunger in the United States. The Washington Post has an interesting write up about this issue.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/11/AR2009121102697.html?sid%3DST2009121103445&sub=AR

Diet Change in the Atacama: the Coprolite Evidence

2009-12-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

This write up in the Scarlet at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln highlights research that I and my colleagues recently published in the journal PloSOne. After reading Santoro's dissertation about the archaeological site from which the coprolites came, I questioned whether they would reveal evidence of verticality, now called ecological complementarity. This research demonstrates how collaboration can reveal a greater understanding of diet change in the Atacama Desert at the time of the Inka.

http://scarlet.unl.edu/?p=5805

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0008069

http://scienceblogs.com/clock/2009/11/new_and_exciting_in_plos_one_220.php

Michael Pollan in the NYT on the history of cooking in the United States

2009-08-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

I appreciate Michael Pollen's take on the history of cooking in the United States. He discussing why Americans like cooking shows and the Food Network. He discusses the incongruity between the obsession with cooking shows while actual time in the kitchen has diminished.

When I cook I like to tell a story

2009-03-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Or more accurately, I like to tell a story just before I serve food to my guests. It's my teachable moment as a nutritional anthropologist. Luckily, most of my friends humor me as I launch into an explanation of traditional kimchi making practices (where the savory, spicy cabbage was buried in the ground in large clay pots to preserve it for the winter: see I couldn't resist!) when I'm about to serve a Korean meal of bulgogi.

I also love to demonstrate assembly. Do you know the proper way to roll maki sushi?...Let me show you. I was not really aware of this particular quirk of mine until I recently asked a friend if she would like me to demonstrate how to construct a fish taco. She said, "well, I think I can figure it out...but go ahead. I know how you like to teach about food."

Some Good Advice About Grad School

2008-11-26T08:52:00.000-08:00

Some good advice about graduate school http://www.physlink.com/Education/grad_how2.cfm

Blog for educators using SL in the classroom

2008-10-15T06:53:00.000-07:00

http://sloancslnet.ning.com /

Using Technology in Student Services

2008-10-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a blog all about it!

http://tagsuccess.blogspot.com/

Open Your Mind

2008-09-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

Open Your Mind-

Keep butting against its boundaries and eventually you will break through!

Completed all Blue 2.0 assignments!!!! Woot woot!

2008-08-08T12:44:00.001-07:00

Thank you for your hardwork, Patsy. I've enjoyed learning some new skills.

My first podcast with comments

2008-08-08T12:36:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to my podcast on www.podbean.com

It is not working to embed the link for some reason, but here is the URL. Please go to it to hear my podcast. I found this task to be the most difficult of all of the Blue 2.0 assignments. If I had used audacity from the beginning instead of trying to do it with garageband first, I wouldn't have had the difficulty! haha

http://shedorvin.podbean.com/

Delicious

2008-08-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

I think this is a very useful tool to manage all the the sites that I access for my research, but I have also included things like recipes.

http://delicious.com/shedorvin

Whoops. I posted on this already.

My posts are out of order for my Blue 2.0 assignments

2008-08-04T12:35:00.000-07:00

Play week

I love google books and google scholar... Such great research tools... with google books you can maintain a library of favorites.

I really like Lookybook-the website that you showed us... it's a great way to find books for my kids. I sent the link to all my friends who are moms.

Also, I joined Second Life as Scavo Brun. I had some trouble navigating. I think my computer may be too slow.

I'm all atwitter....

2008-08-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

I know people use this often with cell phones. Unfortunately, I don't have unlimited texts with my plan. Very fun!

google docs

2008-08-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

I think google docs is another useful tool, particularly, because it is free and accessible to everyone.

Social Networking

2008-08-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

I initially started using Facebook at the suggestion of my students at a previous university. I used it to post class photos from group activities and students used it to contact me. Since that time many family members have also become users. I think it is a very useful tool and very fun.

University Student Retention Begins in High School

2008-08-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

The following is from the American Youth Policy Forum. The study tracked 8th graders through university degree completion from 1988 to 2000. The results of the study can be found here.

Of particular interest to me were the recommendations, from the study.

The study recommends, for example, that high school students log on to college and community college websites and search for examples of the type of examinations and assignments that await them to avoid any “disconnect” when they arrive on campus.

Adelman says colleges should become more involved in secondary school curriculum preparation and provide concrete examples of college assignments, exams, and labs. High school teachers, guidance counselors, parents, and students should have access to this open display of content standards, and it should be included in all recruitment and promotional literature. Institutions should limit no-penalty course withdrawals and no-credit course repeats, creatively increase the use of summer terms, monitor gateway course participation, and report rates of persistence.

I think making this info available to guidance counselors and high school teachers would enhance connections between UKY admissions staff and high schools.

Before Advising Conference at MSU

2008-06-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

Michigan State University has an awesome process for incoming undeclared first year students including giving assignments to be completed before coming to orientation in the summer. Here is the link to their booklet https://www.msu.edu/unit/uud/documents/AOP%20Freshmen%20booklet%202008-2009.pdf

Assessment

2008-06-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

The following was written by Crissy L. Davis about her efforts in assessment in academic advising. Specifically, it explains how rubrics can be a useful tool in the advising process. The full text can be found at http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/AAT/NW30_2.htm#10

Assessment

“As implied by the label, the designer starts the process by imagining a time when the course is over, say one to two years later, and then asking: What is it I hope that students will have learned, that will still be there and have value, several years after the course is over?” (Fink, 2003). Fink’s quote is also applicable to advising. Advisors do not have the luxury of teaching structured courses, but we do facilitate advising sessions. Just as assessment is critical in teaching, the same is true for advising. The ultimate goal of assessment is to determine if students attain an educational gain. Confirmation is visible when students apply skills learned during the first semester during subsequent semesters.

Based on the information I gathered and the knowledge I gained from the text, I created an academic advising rubric. I hope that this rubric will assist all advisors with the concept of Advising is Teaching.

What is an academic advising rubric?

An academic advising rubric is a basic, user-friendly matrix that assesses three competencies: Timeliness, Preparedness, and Communication-Written and Verbal. It is based on a four-point Lickert scale.

How can advisors use the academic advising rubric with students?

Advisors should:

1. disseminate the academic advising syllabus,
2. discuss the mission and goals of advising,
3. provide the students with a visual aid, i.e., the rubric,
4. explain how the rubric works, and
5. make sure that students understand how each component ( e.g., mission, syllabus, and outcomes) is connected to the rubric.

The academic advising rubric can be utilized after each advising session, and it does not require a lot of time. Recommendation: Students should know up front that this is how their progress will be monitored.

Why use the academic advising rubric?

Advisors can use the rubric to:

1. evaluate students’ performance (similar to employee evaluation). Advisors are preparing students for the future, in particular, the workforce. One significant factor about the workforce is evaluation.
2. close the feedback loop between advisor and advisee. According to Fink (2003), feedback should be: Frequent, Immediate, Discriminating (based on criteria and standards), and done Lovingly (or supportive). This is known as the FIDeLity feedback loop.
3. coordinate program evaluations and rubric data. After three to five years of usage a cross-analysis could be conducted on student satisfaction and individual evaluations.
4. communicate the significance of ACCOUNTABILITY. Providing the students with a visual aid and conversing about the level of responsibility, in relation to the rubric holds students accountable for their performance, or the lack thereof.

To view a copy of the academic advising rubric I designed, go to http://www.sccc.edu/academics/assessment/Resources/Rubrics/documents/cldadvrubric.pdf

National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition

2008-06-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

I found this website to be very useful in thinking about our goals for the first year experience at UKY.

http://www.sc.edu/fye/index.html

Feed, wikis, tagging and social bookmarking

2008-06-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

The assignments for this session were all new to me except subscribing to a feed. It is really easy to set up feeds for your igoogle page. I use igoogle almost like a private bookmark. I have feeds there from my blog and the Blue 2.0 blog so I can quickly link up to them from one convenient location.

Setting up the wiki account was easy. I have found it to be difficult to personalize the wiki "look". I like to have links between all of my pages to make it convenient to click from one to another, but my link to my blog ended up in a strange place. I'm not sure how to make it pretty!

Social bookmarking is a great way to share sites for at-risk student research. I can see how having a wiki for everyone on campus who is doing the similar work would be helpful.

Here are the links to my sites:
http://applesandanthropology.pbwiki.com/FrontPage
http://del.icio.us/shedorvin

Academic Risk and Resilience

2008-05-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

After reading, "Academic Risk and Resilience:Implications for Advising at Small Colleges and Universities" by Victoria A. McGillin (http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/Research_Related/yellow.pdf), I have a few thoughts on the topic I'd like to share.

First, it seems that identifying and reaching the at-risk student is critical in the first semester. However, coordinating the identification of an at-risk student in this short time frame can be a very difficult task at a large university. This study found that academic advisors can play a key role as an academic coach and a person that the student can look to as one who is invested in his or her academic success.

Academic advisors are identified by the institution
and by students as the primary source of academic
coping assistance. As such, they function not
only as a form of social support but also as a critical
coach in learning, selecting, and implementing
academic coping strategies.

Second, this article demonstrates the importance of intervention before the students begin classes. In this study at Wheaton College, students that were identified as at-risk were offered the option of attending a 2-day Pre-College workshop that occurred just before new student orientation. Key elements of the workshop included peer mentoring by upper class students who had overcome learning disabilities, more intensive sessions on how to use campus services such as writing centers, tutoring and other forms of academic support, and strategic skill development.

Additionally, it would be interesting to see how many contacts in the first semester make a difference in the at-risk students' success and what exactly UK can do to promote student resiliency.

What do you think could be done in the first semester? or before? What is already being done for these students?

What is anthropology?

2008-05-27T12:36:00.000-07:00

This video from McEwan College describes the breadth of the field of anthropology.

This video from MIT demonstrates how anthropological fieldwork is conducted.

Blue 2.0

2008-05-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

I have been a distant fan of blogs and blogging for a couple of years. A few of my friends have blogs with a literary bent and several maintain family blogs. I created my own blog several months ago with more ideas than ambition apparently-- this is my first posting. I think it was relatively easy to set up--the more difficult aspects include choosing the optimal layout and title, and even more difficult, the topic.

I am going to use my blog to reflect on anthropology, its place in undergraduate education and my experience of being/becoming an anthropologist. It will also be a place for discussing best practices in undergraduate retention efforts.