Why Do We Laugh at Gaffes? October 26, 2011

On Thursday night I attended a lecture series at Saint Xavier University. The guest lecturer was Robert Gibbs, the former press secretary for President Obama.

The talk was pretty good (probably not worth the $20 bucks I spent, but whadderyagonnado?). He shared some anecdotes about working with our President, and gave some interesting insight into the Republican primaries. He also gave a surprisingly effective answer to a question on how young people can avoid apathy. He noted that lobbyists in $2000 suits really like our apathy. They capitalize on it.

Ill it er ah see: A Look at a Fundamental Problem in U.S. Education October 5, 2011

Note: The writer apologizes for the cheesiness of this post; it could not be helped.

The United States has failed in educating much of its population. In 2003, the U.S. Department of Education conducted its most recent comprehensive look at literacy levels in the United States. Twenty-two percent of American adults occupied the range of “Below Basic” literacy, an 8% jump since their last study in 1992. Further, thirty-three percent were in the “Basic Literacy” category, which is not as literate as one would hope. Indeed, the study placed participants who could do

Live Mocha June 24, 2011

Last week I told you guys about SharedTalk. Apparently, another free site with similar goals but different features exists as well, known as LiveMocha.com.
Live Mocha is another site where you can practice a foreign language and help others to practice too. What’s different about Live Mocha is that not only does it have the communications/talk feature, but it also has lessons and tests for those looking to actually study a NEW language. For the written and spoken versions of these tests, native speakers can review what you write and say and evaluate it, give you tips, or just connect with you as a conversation partner.

First Day on the Job January 10, 2011

Starting something new is never easy.  Whether it’s a new job or a new piece of writing things are always a bit shaky or at least a little nerve wrecking at first.  Take today for example.  Just in beginning this blog post, I must have erased and re-wrote a beginning at least six times.  Not only am I blogging for the first time in my life, but I’m also at the end of my first day as an UCWbL Writing Center tutor.

Working on your E-Portfolio? October 26, 2010

Tutors from UCWbL are staffing a “Digication Lab” Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:20 pm to 6:00 pm, in McGaw Hall (room 202) this autumn quarter. Drop in if you need help navigating the site as you create your e-portfolio. Also, check out a few featured e-portfolios, courtesy of Digication.