Unit 10 Post

Greetings, my friends,

We have come to the end of another step in our academic journey. This accomplishment leaves us with a feeling of fulfillment and achievement. It has been my pleasure to have shared English Composition ll with each of you. My peers have been a tremendous asset to me this term! I thank each of you for your contribution to my learning and for your kindness that has always managed to brighten my days!

Writing a term paper has never been an easy task but it has been a wonderful learning experience. We grew this term in English Composition ll. The learning environment was well set, with a professor that was interactive in a positive way and opened seminars up for public support and advice. We started off by sharing our weaknesses in English grammar and mechanics. We were almost instantly encouraged that we would become better writers by the end of the term. My what a source of support professor Julie Pal-Agrawal has been this entire term! We were invited to post our thesis statements in the live seminar feed, which allowed our peers to critique our work, offer suggestions and applaud our small steps. As we progressed, the seminar feed became a learning tool that was greatly instrumental in our success on the final term paper. We had the liberty to post one paragraph from our rough draft and then later from our final paper, before it was submitted for a grade. The feedback we received from classmates and the instructor enlightened us and pointed out a few minor things that needed to be tweaked before submission. As if that wasn't helpful enough, the discussion boards were alive with unlimited resourceful information and peer reviews! You will not find this type of progressive learning environment in any other course! It was a privilege to be a part of this building and growing process!

I wish each of you a prosperous journey as you continue to pursue your dreams! May the Lord be with you every step of the way!

Sincerely,

Kimberley Fields

Unit 9 Post

Good evening, everyone,

The school term has come full circle and is nearly over. It has been an inspiring experience, to say the least. Every class that I have attended has required me to write a term paper, with the exception of my math class, which had me to do my first powerpoint presentation. I have written an essay each term since December 2009. I am not always that fond of writing an essay, but will admit that it has benefitted me to write them. I feel more confident about my writing and have improved on my writing mechanics. I have also gained knowledge on subjects that I would not otherwise study.

On the other hand, my final essays are due this week and are worth 150 points. I am somewhat nervous about the possibility of failing to present my best writing abilities in regards to my chosen topics. I chose two very deep and controversial subjects to write about. I am making some progress, but it seems to be slow progress. I will be glad to have the essays completed and not weighing on my mind constantly. This term has been plagued with many distracting circumstances and I have had to really struggled to stay focused on the matters at hand. I am feeling the lingering effects of this stress in my writing this term.

Wouldn't it be great if one class would just let us write short stories or other fictional material that would allow us to tap into our creative skills? I think I would really enjoy that adventure! Just think about it, no need for APA citations because it would all be made up material. I am sure that brought a smile to your face!

I hope that each of you can make the best of your writing! It's a skill that will stay with you for a lifetime! Take care my friends!

Sincerely,

Kimberley Fields

Unit 8 Post

Hello,

It has been said that, "The greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music the words make (Truman Capote)." In this quote, I find courage to listen for the melody of words in my heart and to seek strength in writing my thoughts and ideas, in sharing my experiences and my pitfalls, in exposing my dreams and my heart to others.

A blog is more than mere words. It is an extension of who we truly are on the inside. I have enjoyed facing the many challenges of writing a blog this term and sharing just a little piece of my soul with my classmates. I do plan on continuing writing on my blog. It has become a great outlet that sets my heart free to speak it's peace. I hope that each of you find solace in writing on your blog and continue to develop into distinguished writers. The journey of life is long and the possibilities each day are endless, so let the melody of your heart ring out in the words you write. Go light your world!

Kimberley Fields

Unit 7 post

Hello, my friends,

Writing is an essential part of life! We are often encouraged to write down our daily thoughts in a journal. Perhaps you make lists, write poetry, short stories or informative essays, in which case, it is important to have someone offer constructive criticism. When a person is asked to read your work and offer an opinion, they are reading it through a fresh pair of eyes. It is beneficial to the writer to take their criticism with grace.

My personal experience with peer reviews has been a rewarding one. I have had several papers critiqued by my peers and found that their thoughts and ideas were much more insightful than offensive. It is imperative to give your peers the benefit of the doubt, acknowledge their remarks and then search throughout your work to see if their remarks are merited. You will often find that your peers were right! This critiquing makes you a better and more professional writer in the long run. Be aware that sometimes listening to others is the biggest asset to your writing!

So, the next time someone reads your paper and points out suspected errors, thank them for making you aware of those errors and for improving your writing! This is something to truly ponder about.

Thank you,

Kimberley Fields

Unit 6

Hello, my friends,

I have spent recent time delving into any information concerning embryonic stem cell research. There are so many strong opinions concerning this subject but the general public doesn't seem to be aware of many of the facts, myself included. It has been an interesting subject to research because of the scientific nature of the ideas behind it. However, it has been viewed as playing God. The whole basis of embryonic stem cell research seems to have a dark cloud hovering over it! The ethical and moral implications are extensive and definitely bare much weight in the future of embryonic stem cell research. The most outstanding claim seems to be over the issue of determining exactly when life really begins. Is an embryo the beginning of life or is a fetus the more significant form of life? Whatever viewpoint you stand on, I hope to address the facts surrounding this matter in my final term paper.

Another issue that plagues embryonic stem cell research is the matter of the destruction of an embryo in the process of the research. In order to conduct the research the embryo is grown in a dish in a lab, by way of in vitro fertilization. Once the embryo is used in the research process it is destroyed or terminated. Again, this poses the question, "When does life begin?" Is embryonic stem cell research a somewhat governmental protected form of murder or is it the ultimate cure to combat the terminal diseases of the 21st century? These are just a few of the questions I hope to answer in my final essay. I hope to present the facts and educate the public so that they can make an informed decision for themselves.

Let me know what you think concerning the controversies that impact embryonic stem cell research. Do you feel that it is necessary to conduct such research for the betterment of humanity or is it an unethical and immoral act?

Kimberley Fields

Unit 5

Hello,

Life has a way of presenting us with many challenges and joys that influence us in some form or fashion. For me, school has been instrumental in presenting me with many challenges, yet has been a source of joy as well.

The decision to go back to school this late in my life has been a real confidence builder. School has fashioned me in such a way that I feel more secure with what I am trying to achieve. I have been faced with many obstacles along the way but have dug dip within and found the strength to persevere. This is a tool that will take me far in life. I have grown as a person and have learned to set my goals realistically. When my goals are achieved, then I need to set new and higher goals. The reaching of goals is a milestone that everyone should celebrate! These small achievements supply me with the determination to keep climbing and pressing forward.

Ultimately, going back to school has provided vivid clarity on the opportunities that lie ahead of me and have given me the courage to leap for my dreams. I am a more rounded person because I have a more structured plan to succeed ... one day at a time.

Sign up for a course at you local college, university or online and take the first step to making your dreams come true!

Kimberley Fields

Unit 4: Plagairism

Good evening, everyone,

We live in a time of unlimited resources. If you have a question, then you can find a suitable answer at the local library or online. However, very few people consider the repercussions of plagiarizing a source of study or research. Plagiarism is basically stealing someone else's words and passing them as your own. When we are researching a subject for our own personal information or for an essay, either way it is better to acknowledge the original author of the sentence or text that you use by citing the source.

If you put yourself in opposing shoes, you would certainly understand why plagiarism is harmful and demeaning. If you had taken the time to search out a subject and had written a book or article, using your own clever words, just to have it stolen and used by someone else would be heart wrenching. It is even worse when the person plagiarizing receives acknowledgment or accolades for your words. So, simple consideration for the original writer is wise and respectful.

Kimberley Fields

Unit 3

Hello, my friends,

Many people have considered going back to school to either finish a degree or to make a life altering change. This consideration is becoming more of a reality now that online schools are making it more available for people to go back to college. You may be asking yourself, "What is so special about online schools?" Online schools make the seemingly impossible possible. As a mother of two, I would not be able to be involved in my children's lives and activities if I had to maintain an on campus regime for a degree. I work a public job five days a week. I have a husband, home, church commitments and a family to tend to. My life in pretty complicated enough. If there were no online colleges, then I would have to just be complacent and accept that I have gone as far as I can go with my goals. What a sad thought!

The great thing about online college is that it is manageable with your schedule. I can study or go to class at whatever time is most convenient for me. I am not a real sociable person, in person, but I find it much easier to communicate online. I really like how people are free to be themselves in an online class. Diversity is welcomed! Come as you are! No one is judged by what they look like, what they wear or how savvy or smart they are. Online class puts us all on an equal, professional and educational plane. It is a great feeling to know that you can be yourself and still fit in, while studying to make a difference in your life.

I must say that I have met many wonderfully people while attending Kaplan. People come from all walks of life with busy schedules and many burdens riding on them. I find kindred souls that know how hard things in my life may be from time to time because they have walked in similar shoes. I can relate to many of my classmates when they reveal struggles of making a life changing decision. Yet, we all seem to agree on the fact that going back to college was the best choice we ever made!

Are you attending an online college? If so, what are your comments about the decision you made?

Thank you,

Kimberley Fields

Unit 2 post

Greetings,

It is that time of year again! School is now in session in our county. It has been a busy but eventful couple of days. I hope that the transition from summer break to the balancing act of school goes smoothly for each of you. One thing to remember, "attitudes are more important than facts." Quote by Karl Menniger. Have a wonderful school year everyone!

Kimberley Fields