#2 Three specific reading and writing goals for the semester

Reading Process Goals

1) Before: I want to preview my assignments to determine what its about, how long I need to read and how hard it might be.
I want to preview all the reading I need to get done in a day or week to have a better sense of how long it will take.

2.) During: I want to keep a list of things I don't understand.

3.) After: I want to use different strategies to help remember details


Update: 11/22/2017

I have implemented the reading process goals that I created at the beginning of the semester. Honestly, I didn't think of them every single time but when I did, they helped.

Goal 1: I liked previewing the assignments all at once. I think it helped me to organize and prioritize my reading. I also did read the last paragraph and the first sentence of chapters or sections before beginning. I especially did this with Latin American History. There's a book we read from each week that has first hand accounts from Latin America and it was helpful to read the headings and brief description of all 5 or 6 sections within the chapter before beginning to set up my notes and understand the overall concept of the chapter.

Goal 2: I didn't implement this suggestion as much as I would've liked. I did use it while reading in Portuguese for words and phrases I didn't understand. It helped me to write down the definitions so that I wouldn't have to continually look it up. This goal wasn't as useful in other text books because I usually highlight things I don't understand or the meaning of acronyms so that I can skim over it when writing down my notes.

Goal 3: The best thing I did this semester was start using OneNote, a note taking system entirely kept on my computer. I set it up so that each class has a special "notebook" and then each class has a "page". Special projects or papers get their own special "notebook" with a "page" for each source. I then keep a notebook for notes and reminders. It has been really great because I have looked over my notes more often and been able to create flashcards more quickly. I would definitely recommend it.

#1 Elder Bednar's Flood the Earth

Flood the Earth by Elder Bednar

       In his talk, Elder Bednar presented social media and the ever increasing role it has in our society and in sharing the gospel. He gave great examples of how we can use social media to share the gospel and connect with others. He also gave some warnings of things not do like sharing anything you wouldn't want the whole world to see forever. Social media is neither inherently good nor bad but it depends for what we used it.

The talk is split into 3 distinct tops, the unique time we live in, the inspired technology that has come forward in our day and how we can use these tools to further the work of salvation. I loved hearing about how the prophets have prepared us and prophesied of this special time in our world. As a millennial, we hear all the time how this is a horrible time to live and negative connotations of being part of our generation. It's refreshing to hear that not only did the prophets prophesy of such a time, but that this technology is part of the plan to ultimately spread the gospel throughout the world. 40% of missionaries will be using technology to share the gospel and temple work has greatly benefited.

My favorite part were the quotes from prophets and knowing that David O. McKay spoke about such a time in which new technologies would make it possible to spread the gospel throughout the world. Indeed, we have made great strides. The radio, telephones, cell phones, TV, satelite transmissions, computers, social media, etc... have all been prepared for us to use to move the work of salvation foward.

"Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind has been given by      direct reelation from God,... We should take advantage of all these great discoveries, the accumulated wisdom of ages, and give to our children the benefit of every branch of useful knowledge, to prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in the great work"
-Brigham Young 1862
     
Elder Bednar encourages everyone to use social media to share the gospel and be genuine. I especially love this talk because I was, in part, introduced to the gospel through a Mormon message video entitled "Have you done any good in the world today." I also saw plenty of examples of media helping investigators gain a testimony even though we did not have ipads or access to technology.