Vol. 23 Iss. 08

Volume 23 Issue 8 - 02/20/2015

Meeting the Minds – Dr. Jon Dron

This is a continuation of the interview published in The Voice Magazine two weeks ago. In that piece, Dr. Dron expands on his Teaching Fellowship Award and some of his philosophies about pedagogy and the use of social media in a teaching/learning context. This week, Marie Well asks about his grading philosophies, influences, and works… Read more »

The Writer’s Toolbox – Who Am I, Really?

Writing is personal. Sometimes It’s personal in content, like a journal or memoir?or sometimes there are personal aspects, like a character who goes through a painful experience similar to something in your own history. Then there’s the catharsis that can come from getting confused or angry or sad thoughts onto paper, and the vindication you… Read more »

Music Review – Singles by Duke Dumont

Artist: Duke Dumont Singles: “I Got U” and “Won’t Look Back” Techno and dance music can be fun and uplifting at times, and Duke Dumont’s latest singles “Won’t Look Back” and “I Got U” (featuring Jax Jones) will get you moving with a big smile on your face, whether you are on the dance floor… Read more »

The Travelling Student – On The Way Out

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 seventeen in the story of how Athabasca University has allowed me to create my own study abroad program…. Read more »

The Study Dude – They Say I Say

There is nothing more that The Study Dude wants for you than to feel comfortable inserting your own views and ideas in your research articles–something otherwise shunned in academic writing. Well, in these articles, as The Study Dude, I’ll try to give you the study tips you need to help make your learning easier. I’ll… Read more »

The Career Path – Blogging and Podcasting for Money

While blogging or podcasting may not be the most effective form of raising capital, if you have a passion or expertise?any kind of knowledge to share with others?it can be a rewarding entrepreneurial side-activity. Plus, blogging can be a leverage for any existing business you may be affiliated with, or any marketing activities within your… Read more »

Primal Numbers – Apps in Court

You probably think you know the trade-offs in sending loads of personal data into the cloud. The app makers give you fun and convenience. You give them a goldmine of data to sell or use in other profitable ways. But there’s another way all that data might be useful: as evidence in a court room…. Read more »

From Where I Sit – A Change of Scenery

Some days when a poor columnist’s brain seems shriveled and bereft of a fresh new idea (or a new take on an old idea) she is forced to create one of those compilation or list type pieces. Having a theme is preferable of course but sometimes a selection of interconnected bits that could be skillfully… Read more »

Dear Barb – Things Lost

Dear Barb: My friend’s dog suddenly dropped dead. Her dog was only five years old and well taken care of and very healthy. She is totally devastated and I don’t know what to say to comfort her. Jessie dropped dead right in front of her and there was nothing she could do. How do you… Read more »

In Conversation with The Highway, Part I

“Take your time. Make things right. All you do is who you are.” – from the song “All You Do” by The Highway Daniel Tortoledo (bass), Ted MacInnes (drums), Adam Douglass (guitar), and Griffin McMahon (keys) make up The Highway, a New York rock quartet that dives deep into the best of rock’s roots to… Read more »

Exams: Online versus Paper

It may seem a contradiction but, while I prefer paper over e-texts, I prefer online over paper exams. When I clicked the “submit” button on my latest exam, I felt satisfied. Not only was another exam out of the way and another course completed, but I didn’t have to pop a painkiller to ease my… Read more »

50 Shades of Ugh

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have heard of the series 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James. This series, which is now being made into a movie, is expected to break box office records. Even I succumbed to the masses and read the books (I will not be watching the movie.)… Read more »

Editorial – The Social and Cultural Significance of Borscht

So. Bill C-51. Titled simply as Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015. It’s now onto its second reading in our parliament, after which it moves on to committee for amendments, then back for a third reading, after which it moves on to the Senate for their rubber stamp, and then the Governor General, for his. The Conservative Party… Read more »

Click of the Wrist – Wasted Away

It’s cold. It’s bleak. Spring seems a long, long ways off. But there’s good news: this Sunday is National Margarita Day (yes, It’s a real thing!), and even though the holiday’s origins are probably mostly commercial, a margarita sounds like a reasonable substitute for the warmth of sunnier climes. Here’s what you need to know… Read more »

Student Sizzle! – AU Social Media

AUSU Student Forums In the General Course Discussions forum, Barb seeks information on how to type accented characters in an online MuchLearning exam format. In the Computer Science and Info Systems forum, user “Brundlfly” resurrects an older thread on COMP 410 to inquire about study strategy. Other topics include courses HIST 338 and SOCI 348…. Read more »

International News Desk – At Home and Abroad

At Home: Universities Allowed to Hire Temporary Foreign Workers The Globe and Mail is reporting that the federal government will allows post-secondary institutions to hire temporary foreign workers to high paying jobs without having to report the federal government as to how these jobs will be transitioned to Canadian citizens. Instead, post-secondary institutions will be… Read more »

AUSU Update

This space is provided free to AUSU: The Voice does not create or edit this content. Contact ausu@ausu.org with questions or comments about this page. IMPORTANT DATES – February 27: Last business day to extend courses ending March 31 – March 10: Last day to register for courses starting April 1 – March 12: AUSU… Read more »