Vol. 22 Iss. 47

Volume 22 Issue 47 - 11/28/2014

Tutor Tales

I still haven’t figured out tutors. I know what their role is. I know how and when to contact them. But after a number of AU courses, some things about tutors still perplex me. According to AU’s Learning Services Tutorial, a tutor will “offer subject-matter assistance, engage in scholarly discussion, mark assignments, provide feedback, and… Read more »

Minds We Meet – Interviewing Kiran Shoaib

Kiran Shoaib is an AU student from Pakistan who currently lives in Korea while her father works at the Embassy of Pakistan. Kiran is working on her Bachelor of Management (3-year) degree. Kiran was recently interviewed by The Voice Magazine about school, life, and the portability of pursuing a degree online. Describe the path that… Read more »

Primal Numbers – Fat-Burning Fix

Eleven billion dollars. That’s how much, give or take a few million, is spent around the world each year on trying to lose weight, on brand-name diets, supplements, and other efforts to drop unwanted pounds. Now, scientists at NestlĂ© are working on a new solution?a pill that will burn fat without exercise. The trouble is,… Read more »

Music Review – Bluebird

Album: Bluebird Artist: Kalen & The Sky Thieves Sometimes we all need music that we can just sit back, listen to, and sink into the sounds and rhythms as they gently roll over us. Bluebird by Kalen & The Sky Thieves is full of music that will wash away all the stressors of the day…. Read more »

From Where I Sit – Bite-Sized Chunks

This week I’ve chosen to expand on a previous column about writing an Ethical Will. The reasons for investing the time and energy to create one are numerous and significant. It allows the writer to make her deepest wishes and values known. To leave a tangible legacy behind as a way of being remembered. To… Read more »

In Conversation with Steve Bell

Steve Bell is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer from Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1989, after years of having worked with other artists, he experienced a spiritual awakening that lead to the creation of his own label?Signpost Music?for which he went on to create fifteen solo albums. He’s now marking the 25th anniversary of Signpost with… Read more »

Dear Barb – Christmas Conundrums

Dear Barb: Less than one month till Christmas and I am so stressed out! This will be my first Christmas with my husband as we just got married in June. I was looking forward to us having an intimate Christmas morning together and then going to families? for dinner. Well it doesn’t look like that… Read more »

The Mindful Bard – The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Film: The Cabinet of Dr Caligari Director: Robert Wiene Writers: Carl Mayer And Hans Janowitz Restoration: Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung, Wiesbaden “There are spirits everywhere. They are all around us. They have driven me from hearth and home? from wife and child.” – Narrator, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari The above lines pretty much sum up the sense… Read more »

The Study Dude – How to Effectively Learn Anything

There is nothing more that The Study Dude wants for you than to know that you are truly a very special person?one that this world desperately needs?and all of your contributions to humanity are meaningful, worthwhile?and life-giving. Well, in these articles, as The Study Dude, I’ll try to give you the study tips you need… Read more »

The Writer’s Toolbox – Whose Line Is It Anyway

In last week’s Toolbox we sorted out the meanings of whose (indicates possession) and who’s (a contraction of who is). This week we’ll look beyond spelling at usage?and debunk a non-rule that’s been confusing writers for a long time. People and Animals Whose is the possessive form of the pronouns who and which. There’s no… Read more »

The Travelling Student – Cliffs and Kippers

My name is Philip Kirkbride. I’m a college graduate from Ontario studying at AU. I’ve always wanted to do an exchange program or study abroad but never found the right time to do so. This is part eight in the story of how Athabasca University has allowed me to create my own study abroad program…. Read more »

Success Secrets

What are the skills you need to be successful? What are the secrets to success? When it comes to distance learning these are questions we have all undoubtedly asked ourselves as well as other Athabasca University students. There really is no right answer. You will find your own tricks, your own secrets, and your own… Read more »

Editorial – The Road Avoided

Lately I’ve been considering what to do for further education. I finished my Bachelor’s of Arts, English major from Athabasca University (with Great Distinction, if you’ll allow me a moment to boast) a couple years ago, and I’ve been floundering back and forth with what to do next. I’ve got a couple of years into… Read more »

Student Sizzle! – AU Social Media

AthaU Facebook Group Alysha posts about a seemingly unhelpful response she received from her tutor, which sparks off a raft of comments. Carla seeks input on which Humanities courses to choose to finish off her BA. Other postings include GPA concerns, letters of reference, and courses ACCT 351, GOVN 301, PHIL 335, and WGST 200…. Read more »

AUSU Update

This space is provided free to AUSU: The Voice does not create this content. Contact ausu@ausu.org with questions or comments about this page. IMPORTANT DATES ? Nov 28: Last business day to extend courses ending Dec 31 ? Dec 10: Registration deadline for a Jan 1 start date ? Dec 10: AUSU Council Meeting ?… Read more »

International News Desk – At Home and Abroad

At Home: Want to Work at Google? Go to Waterloo. Steven Woods, Engineering Director at Google has stated in an article in the Canada Business Review that the University of Waterloo is one of the top places that global search and advertising giant, Google, finds new employees in. Known for its benefits and significant freedoms… Read more »

Did You Know? – The Voice has a Christmas Break

There will be no December 5th issue of The Voice Magazine this year, as your editor is taking a short break. However, regular issues of The Voice Magazine will be available for December 12th and December 19th. Also, as usual, the Voice will go on hiatus for Christmas week because, let’s face it, You’re all… Read more »