Report 1

Monitoring My Information Behavior

By Lynnette Laimana

Instructions for this report are at:

www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy22/459-g22-report1.htm

 

Introduction:

This report is composed of 5 tasks that Dr. James requested his 2005 spring semester course 459 students to complete as part of their assignment.  Each task was to enable the student an opportunity to; surf the web, retrieve information from the electronic library system and create a personal web page.  Some tasks touched on the topic of Swedenborg and other tasks required us to surf the web in search of a “copper type” mailbox.  Following each task we were asked to share our ideas as a list of what problems we encountered and how we overcame them.  Goal is to share with other generations what we did and how we handled each task.

This initial portion helped me to put all judgments behind me and start the process of reading Dr. James translation of the Writings of Swedenborg.  As I read each chapter I realized that it takes many hours to read and actually comprehend what he is trying to convey (both Swedenborg and Dr. James).  I found it easier to convert each chapter of Dr. James translations into cartable books.  It then became obvious that I also needed a copy of the Swedenborg’s writings and Heavenly Documents to really do it justice and learn what rational thinking is all about.  The first thing you should realize is that it will take more then one semester to grasp.

 

Task 1:  Registering on the Web, writing Section A

Section A:

This course encapsulates the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg who lived from 1688-1772.  He is not well known as Sigmund Freud but is as important to the Psychological World.  You will first learn of Positive or Negative Bias and how it can affect your willingness to learn.  There are common phrases and words used to define a thought but those words have varying meanings according to Swedenborg.  His use with common words helps translate and convey to the reader the essence of his writings and messages.  If you are intrigued by what you have so far read then you have grasped the concept of having a Positive Bias.

This is a concept I first failed to understand and which I feel is the most important.  The next step is not jumping to conclusions when words or phrases you have heard conjure up long held beliefs that are difficult to relinquish. 

 

List 1:

  1. The first day of class I felt bombarded by individuals telling me to have a Positive not Negative Bias.  This made me uncomfortable because I couldn’t get a straight answer about Theistic Psychology.  What is it?  What is it about? I wanted simple quick answers which I felt I was not getting. 
  2. The next major problem was listening to discussions about Religion, Beliefs and God and not having a preconceived idea.
  3. After hearing those around me speak about Religion, Beliefs and God without feeling upset that somehow my religious beliefs and family traditions were being attacked.
  4. Finally at the end of the class period hearing Emanuel Swedenborg’s name and not labeling him as crazy.

 

List 2:

  1. My lack of willingness and over confidence that my knowledge in education, especially in Psychology, doesn’t cover Positive or Negative Bias. 
  2. As in the previous sentence I felt excluded from a topic I felt knowledgeable in—Religion.  I attend church so why are my comments being excluded from discussion as if my opinion as no validity.
  3. I got upset with people I don’t know telling me their version of Religion, Beliefs and God which I felt contradicted my understanding.
  4. This was the biggest error I could have ever made since I judged a man without really having a basic knowledge of who he is.  In my mind I compared Emanuel Swedenborg with Sigmund Freud and I felt he had no right to be there.  How could he pre-date the “Father of Psychology”?  I never heard the man’s name mentioned until now and felt more then qualified to prejudge him as a crazy failure.

 

Task 2:  Locating two specified journal articles in electronic resources on the Web, writing Sections B & C

Section B:

Abstract:

The research presented in this paper uses memory work as a method to explore six women's collective constructions of two embodied practices, sweating and pain. The paper identifies limitations in the ways in which social constructionist research has theorized the relationship between discourse and materiality, and it proposes an approach to the study of embodiment which enjoins, rather than bridges, the discursive and the non-discursive. The paper presents an analysis of 25 memories of sweating and pain which suggests that Cartesian dualism is central to the women's accounts of their experiences. However, such dualism does not operate as a stable organizing principle. Rather, it offers two strategies for the performance of a split between mind and body. The paper traces the ways in which dualism can be both functional and restrictive, and explores the tensions between these two forms. The paper concludes by identifying opportunities and limitations associated with memory work as a method for studying embodiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

 

http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=12787719

 

Brief Paragraph: Summarization

This concept is foreign to me since the only time I’ve heard of dualism is in reference to Swedenborg.  As I read this article I had difficulty comprehending what the author was trying to convey.  It took several tries to finally grasp the concept and understand the relationship she was trying to present.  The written comment, “Memory work is based on the assumption that individuals do not simply model themselves on others or act out prescribed social roles; instead, memory work assumes that we are actively creating ourselves as we seek meaning and pleasure within a circumscribed social space.”, 

It seems logical in what they are trying to present but I would need more information and evidence to totally agree with their findings.

 

SWEDENBORG AND HIS INFLUENCE (Book)

SWEDENBORG AND HIS INFLUENCE. Edited by Erland J. Brock et al. Bryn Athyn, PA: The Academy of the New Church, 1988. 492 pp. $24.95 cloth.

The year 1988 marked the tricentennial of the birth of the Swedish scientist, theologian, and revelator Emanuel Swedenborg. Swedenborg and His Influence consist of 25 papers originally presented at a symposium held by the Academy of the New Church which is founded on Swedenborg's teachings. The subject matter of these papers is as varied in content as were Swedenborg's activities in life. He had a long career as a scientist and inventor who made important contributions m the mining and metallurgical industries, devised a method for navigation based on the position of the moon, made contributions to the theory that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny in biology, founded and edited the first scientific journal in Sweden, and was undoubtedly among leading scientists in eighteenth century Europe.

Philosophy and theology were always close to Swedenborg. His father was professor of theology, dean at Uppsala University, and one of the bishops of Sweden. In his later years he underwent a spiritual crisis which resulted in revelations, inner visions, and experiences that he described in many books which at first were published anonymously in England, of which the Arcana Coelestia (Swedenborg's main theological work), Spiritual Diary, and Heaven and Hell are probably best known.

The 25 papers of this book are grouped into eight sections, widely differing in content, which show the many facets and influence of this extraordinary man. The first section, "Swedenborg the Man," gives a brief informative biography of Swedenborg by J. K. Williams-Hogan of the Academy of the New Church, as well as a review by Inge Jonsson of the University of Stockholm, of Swedenborg's place in the history of science. Throughout the book we find this blend and balance of authors, which are about equally divided between members of the Swedenborgian movement and scholars from various learned institutions m Europe and America.

http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rlh&an=9604085487

 

Brief Paragraph: Summarization

From the reading it broadens the scope within my own mind of how many have actually read or incorporated Swedenborg’s work into their own activities and actions.  The reading material has revealed men such as Emerson, Hoover and Croce who have been impressed by this mans writings.  It’s amazing to view Swedenborg‘s legacy and how it has transcended continents and time.  Each era has utilized his works to accommodate their own specific goals and functions.  So you have to wonder how a man from the 17th century could write such telling and informative works that impress many in the 20th century but somehow still remain obscure to the masses.  If he was a fluke then why is his works so well documented?  Questions seem to erupt from my thoughts but it also validates what the man has done and accomplished.

 

Section C:

List 1

  1. Connecting with UH Banner and signing in
  2. Going to the Hamilton/Sinclair Library icon
  3. Digital/Electronic Section
  4. Doing a Journal search
  5. Finding each article
  6. Cut and paste the article

 

List 2

  1. The most difficult part I had to deal with was the enormity of both Hamilton and Sinclair Library information
  2. Once that was done the actual article and detail with date attached.
  3. There are so many to choose from that you need to look specifically for the article and that can be hard if you don’t understand how to use EPSCO.
  4. I’m familiar with the library system as a previous employee but for those who are not you should seek help from the librarians.

 

Task 3: Shopping for a specified type of mailbox on the Web, writing

Sections D & E

 

Section D:

  • Each mailbox individually hand-drawn by G.E. Hentzi 
  • Mailboxes available lacquer-coated or uncoated.
  • Two sizes available.
  • Personalized Imprinting at a nominal Charge.
  • Approved by the United States Postal Service.
  • Mailboxes are created then shipped in 14 days.

http://www.seattleluxe.com/mailboxes.html?ovchn=GGL&ovcpn=mailboxes+-+W

A&ovcrn=mailboxes&ovtac=PPC

Small Mailbox 19" x 6" x 9" H
(The size used at most homes.)
List  $125.00  Our Price 99.99

Medium Mailbox 21" x 8" x 11" H 
(For a large volume of mail.)
List  $160.00  Our Price 129.99

Imprinting $5.00

 

Section E:

List 1

  1. Went to Google.com
  2. Typed in mailboxes
  3. Located a luxury line of mailboxes done in Seattle and highlighted link
  4. Went to index and located copper type mailboxes
  5. Within that category of copper mailboxes they had decorated ones with posts and chose one I would consider purchasing.
  6. The mailbox I chose was decorated with Chickadee’s and listed the costs and specifications.
  7. I then cut and pasted the information with picture

 

List 2

  1. Making sure I met the specifications listed in Task 3. (Mailbox that is decorated, copper and post-type)
  2. Taking the time to locate and then cut and paste the information to this document.
  3. This task was not very difficult to perform but did require patience

 

Task 4:  Acquiring FTP software, creating and uploading a Home Page and writing Sections E & F

Section F:

List 1

  1. Read the teachers an instruction on what he wants you to do in each section.  (Especially this one)
  2. Then read the instructions on creating a web page.
  3. Once you’ve completed the readings to each section don’t rush into the assignment.
  4. From here it gets really tricky especially if you’re not computer literate.  It involves more then email techniques or researching procedures since you’ll be jumping back and forth from your word processing program where your documents are saved and forwarding it into a new system.
  5. After you read the instructions it may help to read your fellow students reports or ask for assistance if you are not familiar.
  6. If you do not have an FTP you need to download one.  Dr. James has many sights to access which you can download a free copy from.  Make sure you follow the instructions correctly and know weather you have a PC or Apply type computer.  It does make a difference.
  7. If you work on the computers on campus you needn’t worry about FTP since most are already compatible.
  8. If you are unsure do this portion on campus.  You can get on sight assistance with any problems you may be facing.
  9. Follow the instructions as you continue:  very user friendly if done correctly.
  10. When the uploading is done just go back and check on your sights and verify that your links work.

 

List 2

  1. What can I tell you, everything that could go wrong did?  First problem was learning that my laptop did not have an FTP program.  I downloaded a free copy from one of the sights that Dr. James mentions.
  2. The next problem I encountered was two files are necessary if you would like to view your reports in the class folder.  The two files are _message and _WSDirIndex.css.  This portion became a problem because the links that Dr. James has listed to access this is no longer valid.  The easiest thing to do is to copy if from your fellow students’ files or past generation.
  3. Once all the prep work is done down load your file into the class folder but after each I would stop and check the links to make sure they are working.
  4. At this time you may want to practice by keeping your word processing file open and making adjustments then saving and updating into your class folder.  If everything is working correctly you should see an instant change, that’s when I would proceed further.
  5. Before you close the folder and web page add into the directory all your future records that will eventually be added.  It just makes it easier.  (Ex:  oral1, 2, 3 and extra section for remaining 7 so total of 10.  Report 1 and Report 2, even if the second isn’t done.
  6. For me this portion was the most difficult part of the entire task we are asked to do for Report 1 but when you finish it you feel like you’ve accomplished a lot.

 

Task 5:  Completing Report 1 and publishing it to the Web and

Writing Sections G & H

 

Section H:

List 1

  1. This section was not very difficult.  First I read the instructions from Dr. James.
  2. I created a dummy page in Microsoft word to practice design and details I wanted incorporated into my web page.
  3. Once I finished that it was just a matter of converting it into the class section of Dr. James course.
  4. I checked and doubled checked the links to make sure they were working.
  5. I also browsed through my fellow students web pages to see how they did theirs.
  6. Then saved the whole thing and finished report 1.

 

List 2

  1. As I stated in the previous section it was not difficult to complete this section.
  2. I just followed the details that Dr. James requested.
  3. If any problems cropped up it was minor ones such as; spelling.

 

Class Home Page:  www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy22/classhome-g22.htm

 

My Home Page:  www.soc.hawaii.edu/459f2005/laimana/home.htm