Technology tools

I have gained considerable experience with the online tools now that I am in my second semester of taking this type of class. I learned a lot of useful things last semester that greatly improved my performance and speed in completing class assignments. However, I know that there are many tips and tricks that I can still learn and employ. I think that I did not take advantage of the weekly tech tips last semester. I was able to learn some tips last semester from my classmate, but I did not constantly check their tech tip posts. I would like to make this a weekly habit of mine. I would also like to find out about more tools that would make my experience in this class more friendly. 

(A photo of different pieces of technology. Source: Pexels)

Assignments: Indian Epics

I took the Myth-Folklore class last semester, so I am very familiar with all of the assignments for this semester. I really enjoyed the overall structure of the class and the amount of creativity it allowed. I think that my favorite assignments were the reading and reading notes. I enjoyed having the chance to read a new story every week. I was then able to create my own versions of the story, and I really liked the creativity that this brought out of me. I think that I might want to look into creating a storybook for this semester. I made a portfolio last semester, and I really enjoyed doing that. I guess I will decide what I am going to do in the coming weeks. I am looking forward to another great semester of assignments.

(A class assignments graphic. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Time Strategies

Since this is my second time reading over these articles, I decided to focus on ones that would be most useful to me. The most relevant article for me was just starting. I tend to struggle with this the most. I like to put things off, but once I start something I usually get it done quickly. Following this strategy will help me the most moving forward. The second most relevant article for me was realistic study plan. I could benefit from this in a multitude of ways. It would work best if I created a realistic time frame where I would do nothing but my school work. I think both articles contained useful information and some new strategies that I can employ. I think my biggest challenge this semester will be getting back into the groove of studying. 

(A photo of a clock. Source: Pixaby)

Growth Mindset: Spring 2018

So this is my second time around thinking about growth mindset and its applications to my daily life and schoolwork. I think that I did not actively apply it to my studies, work, and overall well being last semester. I would like to try to use the growth mindset ideas and hopefully work on bettering myself in many different aspects and applications in life. I also think that growth mindset could have a lot of positive influence on kids and their approach to school and life in general. I know that there are a couple of challenges that I would really benefit from pursuing. The "beyond school" challenge is one that I know would help me out a lot. I am very passionate about fishing and the outdoors. If I could apply this same excitement to school I would enjoy my schoolwork a lot more. I also think that the "sharing mindset" challenge would help me a lot. I could talk to my roommates about what I have learned on growth mindset, and we could challenge each other to actively grow together. It would be a nice form of accountability.

(Growth mindset meme from cheezburger. Source: Growth Mindset memes)

Introduction to a small town kid

Hey everyone! My name is Jake Boone, and I am a senior Biology (Pre-Dental) major. I decided to major in Biology due to my natural affinity for anything science related. I think there is a lot of challenge that a science major presents, but I have enjoyed my classes at OU. I will be attending dental school at OU after graduation this Spring! I spent this past Fall interviewing at different dental schools and finishing the application process. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview and tour multiple dental schools across the country. Ultimately, I decided to attend OU's College of Dentistry because I believe that it is the best fit for me! I grew up not too far from Norman in the town of Ada, Oklahoma. I have been a Sooner fan since birth. I have attended almost every home football game since I was around the age of nine. My family is full of Sooner alumni, so it only made since for me to attend the University of Oklahoma. I enjoy being outdoors and spending my leisure time in the daylight. When I am home, I like to spend time fishing and relaxing outside. I will often read books on the back patio, or play catch in the backyard. There is not always a lot to do at home, but I enjoy the simplicity it offers.

I grew up with three brothers at home. I am the middle child, so I have always been the mediator when it comes to conflict. I think having three brothers offered me a unique perspective on life. I learned how to get along with others and how to deal with multiple people living in close quarters. I think having multiple siblings was a blessing. I always had someone that was willing to play video games, catch, or hang out. In the photo below, I am standing in the middle left.

(This is a photo with my siblings at my brother's graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Personal photo: June 2016)

I recently went on vacation to Hawaii with my family over the break. My older brother and his wife live there, so it was nice to spend time with them. Here is a photo of my family and I celebrating Christmas in Hawaii.

(Family photo in Hawaii. Personal photo: December 2017)

I think that there is a lot to be said when it comes to introducing yourself to other people. I am not too sure what else to include in my post, but I am confident that I will draw ideas from others in the class. I hope that I am able to revisit this post in the future and add more to offer a better glimpse into my life. For now, I will leave you with this brief introduction about who I am.

Indian Epics: Storybook Favorties

The first storybook that I checked out was "Hello, when am I?" (link). This is my second time around creating a project like this. I made a portfolio last semester for Myth-Folklore, and I might want to try making a storybook this time around. I really liked the formatting of this story. The title drew me in, and I did not know what to expect. The introduction was more of an extension of a story, and was not so much about background information. I like this style of writing, and I think it makes it easier to start telling the story.

The second storybook that I looked at was, "The Adventures of Rama and Lakshmana" (link). This storybook was definitely great at grabbing my attention. I had seen things similar to this last semester, but I really like the idea of  creating a flyer/newspaper ad. I also really liked the color scheme of the page. It was simplistic, but I really thought that it made the page stick out. The layout of the page was also elongated, and I liked that it was different. I also liked the style of font that was used for this storybook. It fit really well with the overall layout of the page. I did not realize just how great a specific font can compliment the page itself.

The third storybook that I checked out was, "+Image.PR" (link). This was also a very different kind of storybook than I was used to seeing. I think that this one had one of the most creative ideas behind its creation. The page itself was a website for a PR firm. I had not seen something like this at all. The introduction itself was also really cool. It described "Shakti" and labeled Shakti as the director of website. I think that there are some really cool ideas that I could use to influence my own storybook form this page.

(Image from Scooter Lowrimore. Source: flickr)

Fenway Park: My Favorite Place

Fenway Park - 

I have been a die hard Boston Red Sox since the year 2003. I have grown up loving the game of baseball, and I enjoy every opportunity to head to the ballpark for a game. My favorite place to watch a game of baseball is Fenway Park. I have been able to attend a handful of Red Sox games over the years. I have a lot of great memories with my family that are attached to Fenway Park. It is an incredible stadium, and it holds a lot of historical weight. Here is a picture of Fenway Park taken at the top of the "Green Monster".

(Fenway Park from the Green Monster: Wikimedia Commons)