Report 2: My Weekly Research on the Web

 

Instructions for Report 2

 

Introduction:

 

My name is Mike Choi and I am enrolled in Professor Leon James’ Psychology 459 course at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Fall 2003. We are currently Generation 19 which means that this is the 19th semester for this course. Being G19 has its positive and negative side. First, the positive aspect is that we have prior generations webpages and reports to review if we run into problems with our own projects. It’s relaxing to know that not only our generation ran into problems when creating homepages. The negative aspect is that since we are G19, we will be compared to previous generations report and webpages which can be embarrassing for me because I feel that there are many creative and fascinating webpages which can make mines look plain.

 

Every week we had to go online and research on a topic we choose, since there were eight to choose from. After posting our own research message on WebCT, which required the subtopic we chose, what search engine we used, problems we encountered and couple things we got out of our search. We then had to comment on another student’s research message and reply on how we felt about his or her research findings. The purpose of this assignment was to self-monitor our information behaviors, focusing on the cognitive and affective aspects of our processes, analyzing our processes, and talking about the errors we faced. I felt very pressured knowing that I had to complete two tasks per week, along with the other work we had to do. After a couple of weeks of web posting, I became much more comfortable with researching online for information and I began to feel more positive with completing this task. This report consists of self-observations of my weekly online research, with an analysis of my information behaviors, cognitive and affective thought processes, and the errors I experienced.  

September 16, 2003:

Affective and Cognitive Information Behaviors Associated With second week of web posting

(Charts provided by Sagucio)

Step

My Affective Information Behavior

My Cognitive Information Behavior

1. Turned on my computer at home.

- I’m tired, however I want to complete this task before class on Thursday

- I can easily do it, I did it fine last week.

2. logged into WebCT

- felt confident because I just did it last week.

- piece of cake.

3. clicked on to 459 discussions’ link

- I read the instructions again to make sure I was doing it right.

- wondering if other students have posted their messages.

4. decided which topic and subtopic I was going to research on.

-excited because I found a topic I wanted to research on.

-curious on what other students will be writing on.

6. minimized on WebCT

- relieved that I didn’t have to spend hours on researching a topic.

- hope this topic will be easy to find.

7. used google as a search engine.

- felt calm because ive used google many times and was successful.

- found many sites regarding my topic.

8. reviewed some of the sites.

- pissed because the first few sites were university homepages.

- I had go to the second page for more sites.

9. clicked back onto WebCT

- happy because I finally found a site that discussed my research topic.

- reading the article found it interesting.

10. clicked on Compose Message and started typing in my message

- nervous knowing that other students will be commenting on my message.

- double checked my vocab and sentence structure, and the link.

11. posted my messages

- relieved that I finally got that out of the way.

-going to watch some tv.

 

 

Errors While Doing second week of web posting

 

Description of Error

Error Classification

Explanation For Error

Solution

just answered a topic without doing any research.

Major

I accidentally didn’t download the complete version of the syllabus which explained how to post your messages.

Downloaded the whole syllabus one more time and read the instructions for webposting.

 

Analysis of error:

When I started to complete the webposting, I didn’t realize that I was missing several pages of the syllabus. So I just answered the questions on two of the eight topics we had not realizing that it was all wrong. Just to make sure if I did it right, I emailed the instructor to confirm if my webposting was done correctly. After a day he emailed me back saying that it was all wrong and that I needed to read the instructions over. So I read my downloaded syllabus over and didn’t see any instructions for webposting, so I went on the class homepage and clicked on instructions, and that’s when I realized that I was missing the most crucial pages for completing my webposting. After all that confusion, I downloaded the whole syllabus again.  

 

September 24, 2003:

Affective and Cognitive Information Behaviors Associated With third week of web posting

 

Step

My Affective Information Behavior

My Cognitive Information Behavior

1. Turned on my computer at home.

- tired because I woke up early today.

- just get this over with.

2. logged into WebCT

- feeling better after knowing this should take only a few minutes.

- thinking about the surf.

3. clicked on to 459 discussions’ link

- excited thinking about how good the waves are going to be.

- scrolling to find a research message to reply.

4.decided who I was going to reply

-happy to find someone that researched on multitasking something I’m familiar with.

-replying right away so I can go surf.

5.using google to research my message.

-relieved to find good links.

- hope this topic will be easy to find.

6.posting my research message.

- irritated that this article I picked is too long.

-maybe I should look for a shorter article to I can go surf earlier.

10. clicked on Compose Message and started typing in my message

- relieved to finally start my posting.

- I’m not really worried about grammar this time because I want to hit the waves.

11. posted my messages

- relieved that I finally got that out of the way.

-time to surf!

 

 

 

Errors While Doing third week of web posting

 

Description of Error

Error Classification

Explanation For Error

Solution

In a rush to go surf.

Major

I’m sorry but the waves were big and usually it doesn’t get to big this time of year, so gotta get there in a hurry.

Try getting up earlier or waiting till that night to do it.

 

Analysis of error:

I just wanted to go surf so bad, and I have a tendency to finish the webposting before Thursday when class starts, I should budget my time and find more relaxing times to complete my task. 

 

October 1, 2003:

Affective and Cognitive Information Behaviors Associated With fourth week of web posting

 

Step

My Affective Information Behavior

My Cognitive Information Behavior

1. Turned on my computer at home.

- tired because I had to work late the night before.

- not again.

2. logged into WebCT

- irritated of doing the same thing again.

-I want to take a nap.

3. clicked on to 459 discussions’ link

- irritated unless I find a message I can reply without any effort.

- looking for a topic I understand and can easily reply too.

4.decided who I was going to reply

-happy to find someone that researched on optimism

-now I get one thing out of the way.

5.using google to research my message.

-tired so I will research in the same area as I did my reply posting.

- hope this topic will be easy to find.

6. clicked on Compose Message and started typing in my message

- relieved to finally start my posting.

- try a bit more than last week posting a good message.

11. posted my messages

- relieved that I finally got that out of the way.

-finally I can take my nap.

 

 

 

Errors While Doing third week of web posting

 

Description of Error

Error Classification

Explanation For Error

Solution

Had a difficult time posting and looking at messages.

Major

I don’t know what happened, but when I go on internet explorer and log on to webct, it reads error.

Try later, maybe the system is down.

 

Analysis of error:

I don’t know what seems to be the problem, but when I tried to read posting on webct, it reads error and I’m not able to post or read any messages from students, which pose as a difficult problem because I need to get this done every week. After a few hours after coming home from work I tried it again and it worked, so it might be the system. On the next day in class I will bring it up to the instructor and see it other students are running into the same problem. 

 

October 8, 2003:

Affective and Cognitive Information Behaviors Associated With fifth week of web posting

 

Step

My Affective Information Behavior

My Cognitive Information Behavior

1. Turned on my computer at home.

- nervous because I don’t know if I will be able to post messages on webct since I’ve been experiencing problems.

- probably just system, and its happening to everyone.

2. logged into WebCT

- happy because I’m able to log on to webct

-system must be ok now.

3. clicked on to 459 discussions’ link

- dedicated to find a good site on the topic multitasking.

- things seems to be fine with the system.

4.decided who I was going to reply

-pissed because I’m not able to read any postings.

-the system must be down.

5. try again later

-very very irritated because I won’t be able to post my messages in time if this system continues to fail.

- I wonder if its my computer or the system.

 

 

 

Errors While Doing third week of web posting

 

Description of Error

Error Classification

Explanation For Error

Solution

Couldn’t post any messages.

Major

I don’t know what seems to be the problem, even after a few hours later I wasn’t able to post any messages.

I better bring it up in class, and I’ll call a classmate to see if they are experiencing the same problem.

 

Analysis of error:

I don’t know what seemed to be the problem, I believe it is my computer because every other classmate I talked to isn’t having the same problem, they are able to post their messages. So the only reason would be that something is wrong with my computer, because no one but I is experiencing this problem. I have to bring it up in class. 

October 17,2003:

Affective and Cognitive Information Behaviors Associated With fifth week of web posting

 

Step

My Affective Information Behavior

My Cognitive Information Behavior

1. Turned on my computer at home.

- nervous because I needed to download a different internet server.

- I wonder if this is really the problem with my posting my messages.

2. logged into netscape.

-nervous because wondering if it will work.

-I should work because the instructor had the same problem

3. downloaded netscape.

- irritated that I have to do extra work

- it seems to be downloading ok

4.logged on to webct

-relieved because now it works.

-everything should be ok

5. posted my research message

-happy knowing that I won’t be experiencing this problem again.

- researched on self confidence affects performance.

 

 

 

Errors While Doing third week of web posting

 

Description of Error

Error Classification

Explanation For Error

Solution

I didn’t have the right internet server

Major

The wrong internet server.

Downloaded netscape.

 

Analysis of error:

All of a sudden my internet explorer wasn’t able to work on webct, in the beginning it seemed to be ok, however after a few weeks, I’ve been having problems posting messages on webct. After talking with classmates, they told me that everything was ok, however when I spoke to the instructor, he implied that I download netscape, because he was experiencing the same problem. So when I downloaded netscape, I was able to post my messages on webct again.

 

 

Task #5

Step

My Affective Information Behavior

My Cognitive Information Behavior

1. filled out pre-ratings form

- tired and exhausted after completing by oral presentation.

- gotta get this done.

2. log onto prior generations to maybe get some ideas on how I’ll organize my report 2

-feeling much better knowing I have the skills to do a good job.

- there are many creative ways of doing my report 2.

3. start on my introduction for report 2

- feeling happy now knowing how I plan to format my report 2.

- hoping to get a better grade on report 2.

4. filling out the body and charts for report 2

- feeling no stress completing report 2 due to the fact that in won’t be penalized if turned in late.

- everything turning out ok, I should be done in a couple more hours.

5. finishing off the conclusion.

- happy that it will be done soon.

- what should I write to future generations?

6. filled out post-ratings

- relieved.

 

-finally almost done.

7. go over my report and check to see if all links are working.

- feeling excited that there is only one more report left for this semester.

 

- everything seems to be ok.

8. uploaded my report.

-very happy and relieved.

- hope to get started on third report early so I don’t need to stress out.

9. checked to see if my report was published successfully.

- still in a state of euphoria

- everything looking good and organized.

10. email Dr. James.

- sort of scared wondering if he’ll like my report or not.

-hope he like it better than my first report, and hope he gives me a better grade.

 

 

Errors while doing task 5

 

 

Description of Error

Error Classification

Explanation For Error

Solution

TIME.

Major

Since I had to prepare for my oral presentation, I hesitated to do report 2 because I wanted my oral to be good, and since my oral and report 2 was due at the same week, I felt stressed on which to start on first. However I chose to start on my oral.

I should have started on my oral weeks earlier, then I would be able to complete report 2 on its actual due date.

 

 

Comparison of Pre- and Post-Ratings for Task #5

 

 

 

Task #5

Questions

Pre

Post

2. Mood

(1= negative; 10=positive)

5

9

5. Importance of succeeding at this task

(1=not important; 10=extremely important)

10

10

6. (Expected) difficulty in performing task

(1=not much; 10=a lot)

5

8

7.How upset if failed at task

(1=not upset; 10=extremely upset)

10

10

8. How sure that you will succeed at task

(1=doubtful; 10=almost certain)

7

9

9. Likelihood of becoming good at task

(1=pretty doubtful; 10=almost certain)

8

9

10. Main reason for completing task

(a=luck; b=skills I’ve acquired; c=help from others; d= combination of things)

C

B

11. Amount of motivation to complete task

(1=slightly motivated; 10=very highly motivated)

10

10

12. Computers make it easier to perform the task

(1=I strongly disagree; 10=I very much agree)

10

10

13. ∫(Expected) amount of effort to complete task

(1=not much; 10=a tremendous amount)

8

7

 

 

 

 

Comparison of Pre and Post ratings:

 

-Question #2: I feel that the difference in mood was due to the fact that I was at the end of completing report 2, therefore my mood change was due to the excitement of coming to the end of long couple weeks.

 

-Question #5: The importance of completing this task didn’t change because it was something that had to be done no matter what, so for that question my feelings didn’t change.

 

-Question #6: I didn’t expect this task to be as difficult as I thought, I figure since I had the experience of doing report 1, I felt that this would be the same, however I ran into a few problems, such as how I plan to format my report, and what kind of information I was going to use.

 

-Question #7: The expectancy of failing stayed the same, because I don’t like to fail at things, if I start something, I’m the type that likes to finish it because there is nothing worse in life than wasting time.

 

-Question #8: At first I didn’t think I would succeed at this task because of the due date and the fact that I had an oral presentation at the same week, so I was pressed for time, however after the task I felt that it was easier than I thought.

 

-Question #9: I felt more comfortable that I could become good at this sort of task after completing it because when I started to do it, ideas started popping into my head and things started to get more focused.

 

-Question #10: At first I thought I would need some peoples help in order to complete this task, however when I started, my knowledge started to kick in and all the things I learned from doing report 1 came back to me.

 

--Question #11: my motivation for completing this task was neutral because there was no way I was going to fail at this task.

 

 

Facing a due date:

 

This report to me felt much more stressful than the first report, even though it was postponed a week because I mentioned in my previous analysis that I was also preparing for my oral presentation which took most of my time. Since I wasn’t too proud of my first presentation, I felt that I had to do a better job this time, so I prepared and re-read the chapter about a few times while taking notes. By preparing for my oral, I was not concentrating on my report 2 like I should have been, so I felt very stressed during that week, I couldn’t sleep and enjoy the things that I usually do.

 

However, one day in class, the day before report was due, I mentioned to the professor that how many points would be subtracted each day the report was late, and the professor replied that since the problems we were facing this semester, he wouldn’t be to strict on the due dates. After that I felt much more relieved that now I won’t have to rush and do my report, I can take a few more days and prepare accordingly.

 

 

Conclusion:

 

After this task of self-witnessing, I noticed that I get very stressed when faced with doing two things at once, because I only like to concentrate on one thing at a time, because I feel that when you multitask, one thing will get left out.

 

I also tried to take better notes this time because I knew that this task would need it. I learned a lot about researching on the web and how to solve problems when things don’t go as planned. I hope to learn much more about computers and researching data because I feel it is an important skill for any college student to have.

 

 

Advice to future generations:

 

While doing a task like what we did, it is important to not hesitate and put it off this the last minute because a project like this needs advanced preparation in order to complete it successfully. Also get familiar with researching the internet because it not as easy as it seems looking up sites online. And most important of all, make sure to take adequate notes because later in the course you would wish you had.

 

 

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